Los Angeles, in front of Dual Star Entertainment's main gate.
A dozen reporters were surrounding Eric.
Since the Michael Jackson incident erupted, although some celebrities did support his character, their numbers were few, and their status was too low, so their influence was limited.
Among these people, the most influential was ironically the real estate mogul, Mr. Cooper. No one knew how Michael and Mr. Cooper became acquainted, but he consistently stood by MJ.
Due to the scarcity of people willing to speak out, many questioned Michael's character.
If few people speak up for you in times of crisis, doesn't that prove you have no friends?
Why do you have no friends? Of course, because your character is poor.
However, many people don't realize that the entertainment industry is simply like this.
Even though Michael Jackson was no longer at his peak, too many people were still envious of his past achievements. These people could be strangers who didn't know Michael, or friends he thought he had, or even trash who wanted to use his fame for self-promotion.
For example, Eminem was such a person. To boost album sales, he directly released a song and made an MV to satirize Michael, thereby promoting himself.
Even when he later apologized under pressure, it was just a half-hearted statement. If he were truly sincere, he should have taken the song down.
The'Stabbing Cult' more familiar to Chinese people likely followed a similar pattern.
Back to the scene, after Eric's barrage, The Independent reporter could only shut up.
But others weren't having it. They had always been the ones to corner celebrities and pressure public figures. When did it become the public figures' turn to lecture the media?
This is outrageous! He must be taught what it means to be the uncrowned king!
A reporter from the San Francisco Entertainment News asked, "Mr. Cooper, you are so certain of Michael Jackson's character. Are you very familiar with him?"
"No, we have never met. I have only seen him in songs and on television."
"So, you are only looking at Michael from a fan's perspective. It seems he holds a very high place in your heart."
Eric nodded, "That's right. Michael is the King of Pop. His songs are sung all over the world, his album sales are the world's highest, he has stood at the pinnacle of music, he is the God of Pop Music, and this is beyond doubt!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the Olsen Sisters secretly thought it was bad, while the paparazzi were overjoyed.
We haven't even dug a pit for you yet, and you've already dug one for yourself.
How dare you say something so absolute? Don't you know such words are most likely to attract negativity? Not only will it attract negativity for yourself, but it will also attract negativity for Michael Jackson. Fan behavior, idol pays the price.
This is not the 90s. The new generation of listeners has more complex tastes, and many new singers have risen. The public doesn't like such rhetoric.
"God of Pop Music, Mr. Cooper, have you perhaps elevated Michael Jackson too highly? How do you evaluate singers like Westlife, Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears, Celine Dion, and Eminem? Are they all insignificant in your eyes?"
Eric, with a cold face, pointed at the other person: "Mr. Reporter, I have said that you should not be leading or biased, because you are representatives of the media, and the media is the mouthpiece of fairness and justice, not a weapon for stirring up trouble."
"I can express my opinions freely because I am just an ordinary person, but the media's attitude must be objective, have you forgotten?"
The other party's eye twitched, and he cursed inwardly, 'Damn, how can he be better at labeling than us, and the labels he puts on people are impossible to refute.'
"Mr. Cooper, you are absolutely right, but please answer the question directly."
Eric nodded: "The people you mentioned are all excellent singers, and I also like some of them. I also like to listen to 'My Heart Will Go On,' and I also like to listen to 'If I Let You Go.'"
"But what I want to say is, perhaps the new generation of young people prefers Britney, prefers Avril, prefers Eminem, and perhaps Michael's music style has started to have a gap with the times, but no matter who it is, everyone must admit that their achievements still cannot compare to Michael Jackson."
"Those who ascend the mountain should not mock the god descending!"
"Learn to respect and appreciate. Is it so hard to acknowledge someone else's excellence?"
The phrase, "Those who ascend the mountain should not mock the god descending," instantly killed the question. The San Francisco Entertainment News reporter opened his mouth but didn't know how to continue.
Eric's answer was very appropriate, not shying away from Michael's current decline, and also expressing appreciation for the new generation of singers who are currently striving for musical peaks.
With two colleagues defeated, Eric's rhetorical skills also impressed the paparazzi.
They came to smear Jackson, but this interview turned into a whitewash, somewhat deviating from their original intention.
A New York Times reporter stepped forward: "Mr. Cooper, we are discussing Michael Jackson's character, not his work."
"No one can deny his career success, but career success alone cannot prove a person's character. After all, character can be hidden, it's invisible, which is why we reporters are needed to uncover it, isn't it?"
The Olsen Sisters looked at Eric's back. If they had spoken up just now, they would be facing the paparazzi's accusations. Could they have faced the verbal battle like Eric?
"Hmph hmph."
Facing this question, Eric snorted a few times, a mix of sarcasm and cold laughter.
"Mr. Reporter, first of all, I admit that the latter half of your statement is very correct. Many things indeed need reporters to uncover, and I deeply respect those excellent reporters who dare to expose the truth, especially investigative journalists. I have always believed that they bear the conscience of society."
"For example, Woodward and Bernstein, they dared to expose the Watergate scandal, fearless of the president's threats, leading to Nixon's downfall. Their attention made the abuse of power fearful."
"For example, Seymour Hersh, he dared to go deep into Vietnam to expose the truth of the 'My Lai Massacre,' allowing Americans to truly understand what our army did in Vietnam."
"I respect these excellent reporters, and I hope every reporter can become like them."
At this point, he glanced at the paparazzi present. Even with their thick skins, they couldn't help but frown.
In comparison, why are some called reporters and others called paparazzi? The reason is not whether you hold a microphone, but what you do with that microphone.
Eric continued, "But I don't agree with the first half of your statement, because I believe that character can be revealed through a person's words and actions."
"If you weren't just concerned with gossip, but instead took the time to understand the charity work MJ has done, you would realize what kind of person he is."
"A person who spent over 20 years of his career, half of his life, practicing his philanthropic ideals, I absolutely do not believe he is a pedophile."
"Moreover, he is the only artist to have ever been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. These facts are enough to prove everything."
Saying this, Eric suddenly took a step forward, and the paparazzi instinctively retreated. At this moment, he was almost within arm's reach of them.
Just as the paparazzi were guessing what Eric intended to do, he said in a calm tone, "You've asked so many questions, so let me ask one too. Are you relentlessly slandering MJ because of racial discrimination?"
"Is it because Michael is a black man, and he achieved things white people haven't? Did his excellence make some white people uncomfortable?"
Boom!
Like a clap of thunder, no one dared to answer the question Eric posed. The issue of race has always been the most sensitive one in American society.
If even one word is misused, one will be labeled a racist, and then things would get really interesting.
The noisy scene suddenly fell silent. Eric smiled: "You don't have to answer. I'm not asking you this question either."
After speaking, he waved to the Olsen Sisters, got into the car, and drove away.
Watching his dashing figure leave, Mary suddenly felt a ripple in her heart: "This guy, he's quite handsome today."
"You think so too?" Ashley chuckled.
"Eric has always been handsome!" Elizabeth clenched her small fists, extremely excited.
The car sped away. In the passenger seat, Chen Xing hesitated for a moment before asking, "Boss, do we need to prepare for public relations in advance? Your remarks just now might cause controversy."
Eric closed his eyes to rest, hesitated for a moment, then softly said, "No need, and it can't be handled by public relations. MJ's matter isn't just a problem with one or two paparazzi or one or two newspapers, but a problem the entire society is involved in."
"In this situation, how do you do public relations? And who do you plan to do public relations for? Will it even help to do public relations for a few media outlets?"
"Just remember to make backups of the video. If their reports are taken out of context, release the video."
"Okay, I understand."
Regarding speaking out for MJ, since it was done, Eric didn't regret it.
As for whether it would bring trouble to himself or MGM.
It was foreseeable that there would definitely be trouble, such as insults towards him, boycotts of MGM movies, etc.
But he believed that more people would stand on the side of justice, especially now that Michael had the upper hand, and the broadcast of two documentaries had already proven his innocence.
Even if there would still be extremists and fools who continued to smear him, so what?
Was Mr. Cooper affected? He was fine, his business grew bigger and bigger, and he even became president later.
Or simply prepare in advance. Others might not know the outcome of the matter, but Eric knew it too well. It wouldn't be difficult to turn this situation around with a few tricks.
At that time, he could also establish a good reputation for himself as a righteous person who spoke out for justice, ensuring that merchandise and box office sales would explode.
Evening, Beverly Hills, Cooper Family home.
"Don't worry, Nicole, nothing will happen."
"What? No, don't do that, you absolutely must not speak out, don't get involved in this storm. Rest assured, my dear, those guys can't hurt me."
Hanging up the phone, Eric sighed. The morning's interview had begun to ferment by the afternoon, reaching the ears of many who cared about him.
Gadot, Little Mercenary, the British Trio, Patty, Nicole, and others had all called.
However, Eric refused their attempts to make supportive statements.
transformers hadn't been released yet. Gadot and the others were still considered newcomers, their influence too weak.
Moreover, they had no connection with Michael, so speaking out at this time would give the impression of chasing trends, which would be harmful rather than beneficial.
Nicole's influence was naturally great, but the problem was that she didn't know MJ either, and Eric didn't want to involve his woman.
Downstairs, his father happened to open the door and come home, taking off his jacket and handing it to the nanny.
Then came a helpless sigh: "Eric, are you very familiar with Michael Jackson?"
"I don't know him, I just admire him greatly. I just feel that good people shouldn't be held at gunpoint."
His mother came out of the kitchen with a freshly stewed dish and asked curiously, "What are you talking about? Did another school shooting happen?"
Eric briefly explained the situation, and his mother was both angry and helpless.
"Those who spread rumors, the Lord will punish them to hell!"
Then she looked at her father: "Haley, you shouldn't blame Eric. He did the right thing. As parents, we should support him."
Caught between two sides, his father shook his head slightly: "Alright, alright, let Eric do whatever he wants. You just spoil him."
His mother picked up a spoon and gently tapped it on his father's hand as he reached for bread: "Justice should be upheld. Don't mock those who dare to stand up because of your own cowardice."
"Haley, it's been a very, very long time since you accompanied me to church. This week, you must come with me to listen to the Lord's teachings."
Upon hearing this, his father's face fell: "Actually, I've already arranged to play golf with someone, the time is set, it's not convenient to change it. God also taught us not to deceive others, didn't he?"
His mother glared at him: "You can't possibly play for two days, can you? Saturday or Sunday, I'm only booking one morning, OK?"
Eric and the nanny, Lisa, covered their mouths and snickered. His father sighed again: "Alright, then Saturday morning. Let's go listen to the preacher's sermon together."
"It's God's teachings!"
"Alright, alright, God's teachings."
After dinner, Eric sat on the sofa watching HBO, the screen showing a rerun of the second episode of the walking dead.
As expected, under the fermentation of the excellent reputation of the first episode, the viewership of the second episode of the walking dead reached a new high, directly breaking the ten million mark, with 11.2 million subscribers online simultaneously, breaking the record of band of brothers.
HBO was ecstatic. His father's excuse about playing golf wasn't an excuse; he was indeed playing with Zack Thomas.
"Eric, your phone."
Behind him, the nanny, Lisa, handed him the phone.
Eric took it and looked. It was an unknown number.
At this time, an unknown call was most likely from some tabloid reporter who had somehow gotten his number and wanted to conduct a surprise interview.
He hung up directly, but then a text message came through.
"Hello Mr. Cooper, I am Michael Jackson. Sorry to bother you, I just want to express my gratitude!"