| LONDON - Michael Jackson is set to make a rare | | | | The American Broadcasting Company (ABC) |
| public appearance at the World Music Awards in | | | | televised the show in the US on September 13, |
| London next month, organizers recently | | | | 2005 with featured appearances by many |
| announced. | | | | American and Latino pp stars such as Destiny's |
| Having sold more than 100 million albums, the | | | | Child, Mariah Carey, Kelly Clarkson, Fantasia |
| forlorn king of pop will receive a Diamond Award | | | | Barrino, Shakira, Ricky Martin, Carlos Santana, Rob |
| at the industry ceremony. | | | | Thomas, Michelle Branch, Stevie Wonder, Kid |
| WMA founder Melissa Corken said "We are thrilled | | | | Rock, Eminem, 50 Cent, Jay-Z, and Snoop Dogg. |
| to be bringing the World Music Awards to London, | | | | Last year's show also featured Patti LaBelle, Kid |
| the music capital of the world," quickly adding "the | | | | Rock, and Stevie Wonder performing songs |
| presence of Michael Jackson is very exciting for | | | | dedicated to honoring the victims of Hurricane |
| us." | | | | Katrina, which ravaged the city of New Orleans, |
| Jackson went into reclusion after his acquittal | | | | Louisiana. |
| from child molestation charges in June of last | | | | Based on the WMA website, "The World's |
| year. He left the United States soon after and | | | | best-selling recording-artists in the various |
| has spent time in Bahrain and Ireland. | | | | categories are determined after a thorough |
| The World Music Awards were held in Monaco for | | | | research conducted by the organization on record |
| 15 years before moving to the United States in | | | | certifications and record company sales figures" |
| 2004 and 2005. This year's event at London's | | | | The national member associations of the |
| Earls Court Arena is to be hosted by Lindsay | | | | International Federation of the Phonographic |
| Lohan, with performances from Beyonce, Mary J. | | | | Industry (IFPI) is the organization that provides |
| Blige, Katie Melua and Andrea Bocelli. | | | | the World music organization with the names of |
| Previous recipients of the Diamond Award include | | | | their overall best-selling artists and groups. |
| Rod Stewart, Mariah Carey and Celine Dion. | | | | Each year, the WMS awards the best selling artist |
| The World Music Awards was founded in 1989 as | | | | from each major country. |
| an international awards show that annually honors | | | | Legend Awards are given to artists "in recognition |
| recording artists based on their popularity, and | | | | of their global success and outstanding contribution |
| worldwide sales figures, which are provided by | | | | to the music industry". Past winners include Michael |
| the various organizations including record | | | | Jackson, Mariah Carey, Elton John, Stevie Wonder, |
| companies and the International Federation of the | | | | Modern Talking, Ace of Base, Diana Ross, Julio |
| Phonographic Industry (IFPI). | | | | Iglesias, Tina Turner, Rod Stewart, Lionel Richie, |
| The awards show is conducted under the | | | | Ray Charles, Cher, Plácido Domingo, Luciano |
| patronage of H.S.H. Prince Albert of Monaco, | | | | Pavarotti, Whitney Houston, Prince, Janet Jackson, |
| Monte Carlo. Until 2003 the show was conducted | | | | Carlos Santana and Rock Bond Scorpions. |
| in Monte Carlo. | | | | The Chopard Diamond World Music Award is a |
| The 2004 show was held in Las Vegas (USA) on | | | | new award, given to artists who have sold over |
| September 15. The 2005 show was held at the | | | | 100 million albums over the course of their |
| Kodak Theater in Los Angeles, California with | | | | careers. Past winners are Rod Stewart, Mariah |
| simultaneous broadcasts to North and South | | | | Carey, Celine Dion, and Bon Jovi. |
| America, Australia, Japan and South East Asia, all | | | | Apart from the world's best-selling artists in the |
| of mainland China, New Zealand, all of Africa and | | | | various categories and the national best-selling |
| the Middle East, and all of Europe, reaching an | | | | artists, special millennium awards for the world's |
| estimated worldwide audience of one billion | | | | best selling recording artist of all time were |
| viewers, in over 160 countries. | | | | presented in 2000 to Michael Jackson and Mariah |
| John Martinotti is an executive producer and | | | | Carey in the male and female categories |
| co-founder of the show. | | | | respectively. |
| Proceeds from the show go to the Monaco Aide | | | | To date, Mariah Carey has received 16 World |
| and Presence Foundation, which assist | | | | Music Awards, the most WMAs for any recording |
| underdeveloped areas mainly in Africa, Asia, | | | | artist, followed closely by Michael Jackson with 14 |
| Eastern Europe and Brazil. | | | | awards. |