Kenny Ortega's Interview on the Oprah Winfrey Show

Oprah Winfrey just interviewed Kenny Ortega on her talk show

Kenny Ortega, Michael Jackson’s creative partner, director of Michael Jackson’s “This Is It” concerts and one of the producers of Michael Jackson’s “This Is It” movie, appeared on the Oprah Winfrey show today, October 16th.

Kenny Ortega is a world-class choreographer, and was the mastermind behind the Thanksgiving Day Parade in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Madonna’s “Material Girl” music video, Patrick Swayze sexy moves in the 1987 film Dirty Dancing and was the director of High School Muscial.

Oprah on “This Is It” – Kenny Ortega’s Interview on the Oprah Winfrey Show

Oprah Winfrey, who got a sneak preview of 12 minutes of Michael Jackson’s “This Is It” film, said that the movie was “magical.” The 12 minutes of “This Is It” was delivered by armed security guards, who stood by as Oprah Winfrey viewed the footage, and then left with “This Is It” in hand.

Oprah Winfrey mentioned that Michael Jackson appeared skinny, but was impressed with his obvious energy and excitement about the performance. Oprah Winfrey also said that while viewing she thought, “Wow! What a loss!”

“This Is It” Film Production – Kenny Ortega’s Interview on the Oprah Winfrey Show

When Oprah Winfrey asked Kenny Ortega how he handled the death of Michael Jackson, Kenny Ortega said, “I had the hardest time. I had just seen him 14 hours earlier.” Kenny Ortega added that he would tell Michael Jackson that he loved him and that Michael Jackson would respond “I love you more.”

Kenny Ortega said that cutting the film, making the film, and having the entire group together helped to create a supportive situation. Kenny Ortega felt lucky to have the opportunity to be there with the material, which gave a greater value to the history that he shared with the legendary King of Pop, Michael Jackson.

Oprah Winfrey asked Kenny Ortega if he had been able to process the fact that Michael Jackson is gone. Kenny Ortega responded, “Little bits, he’s so much alive for me still, thank God.”

Kenny Ortega added that Michael Jackson is so present in the film that viewers will almost forget that he’s no longer with us.

Kenny Ortega told Oprah Winfrey how Michael Jackson would call him at 3 a.m. to dicuss the upcoming concert, saying, “We need fireflies!” Kenny Ortega compared Michael Jackson to a firefly because he shines from the inside out.

The Oprah Winfrey show included exclusive clips from Michael Jackson’s rehearsals, including for the song “The Way You Make Me Feel.”

Kenny Ortega told Oprah Winfrey that they started rehearsing in late April, and started physical rehearsals at The Forum and The Staples Center in Los Angeles in May and June. Michael Jackson was about 8 days from London, where they would conduct the final rehearsals before the tour.

Kenny Ortega on Michael Jackson’s Weight – Kenny Ortega’s Interview on the Oprah Winfrey Show

After watching some more footage from “This Is It,” Oprah Winfrey asked Kenny Ortega if he was concerned about Michael Jackson’s weight.

Kenny Ortega said that they looked after him, stressing that the entire crew was a family with a refrigerator full of drinks and healthy food.

Kenny Ortega added that he saw no hint of drug use, and that he saw fatigue at time, due to his sleepless nights, but that Michael Jackson always insisted that he felt good, working on the record, being a father, brainstorming about the performance.

This Is It Choreography – Kenny Ortega’s Interview on the Oprah Winfrey Show

Although Travis Pane and Michael Jackson were the primary choreographers, Kenny Ortega played a large role, calling them “The Three Muskateers” or “The Three Stooges.” Kenny Ortega added that Michael Jackson was an improvisational genius.

All the dancers were inspired by Michael Jackson, and were participating in what they had always dreamed of. Kenny Ortega said that the dancers always felt special when Michael Jackson looked their way.

Michael Jackson was constantly adding to the performance, and with the budget already surpassing $24 million, Randy Phillips said, “I was ready to jump off the balcony of my office. We went and met with Michael, and [director] Kenny [Ortega] said, ‘Michael, you’ve got to stop. We’ve got an incredible show, we don’t need any more vignettes.’ Michael said, ‘But Kenny, God channels this through me at night. I can’t sleep because I’m so supercharged.’ Kenny said, ‘But Michael, we have to finish. Can’t God take a vacation?’ Without missing a beat, Michael said, ‘You don’t understand — if I’m not there to receive these ideas, God might give them to Prince.’ ”

Kenny Ortega also mentioned that Michael Jackson greatly admired Prince, who recently spoke about Michael Jackson after a concert at the Gran Palais.