Michael Jackson's crush on Noriko Takahashi

(May 24th, 2009 - 12:58 pm ICT by ANI)

"London, May 24 (ANI): Michael Jackson is said to be besotted with a baton-twirling circus stunner who he wants to perform at his comeback London gigs.

Jacko, who has already recruited a professional pole dancer to join his troupe at the tour, is about to sign Noriko Takahashi, 30, who is currently appearing in Las Vegas in the Cirque du Soleil production Ka.

Yesterday, sources had revealed that Jackson had fallen for the beautiful Japanese gymnast, who has won six gold medals in 15 appearances at the annual Baton Twirling World Championships, reports The Daily Star.

One of his aides declared: “He’s been infatuated with her since he first saw her in Ka and he’s chatted with her backstage numerous times.”

According to the source, the 50-year-old singer popped out to see the showgirl at least ten times during a six-week stay in Vegas.

He added: “When he moved back to LA, he even pleaded with Noriko to join him there.

“He promised to pay her air fare and offered her a fortune to dance solely for him.

“She very politely declined - she’s a really shy girl - but Michael is now hoping to make her an offer she can’t refuse to perform with him in London this summer.” (ANI)

Noriko winning the world title in 1998 with her beautiful rendition of 'the little mermaid'.

Feel like giving up?

Have you ever thought about giving up on that hard trick, that long rolls section, that impossible contact series... Or not competing again because of a past failure?
Take a look at this short video and learn what some of the legends of their trades persevered through to become as great as they did...




So next time you don't want to risk trying again, think of one of these legends to help you reach your goal!

2010 World Athlete Interview – Natalie Morris. Team.

In what year did you start twirling?
In 1998 when I was 13, I was introduced to twirling by Kellie Abbs who use to twirl. I had done gymnastics up until then which I found helped me pick up twirling fairly quickly.

What is one of your favourite routines to date?
This is such a hard question but I can’t go past team in 2003 when we went to Spain. It was my first time in the open team and it was such a great experience and an honour to be a part of the team with girls that I have always looked up. It was so much fun, we twirled to the music from Chicago “All that Jazz”. I feel like I matured so much as a twirler being a part of that team!
I also have to say that every pairs routine that I do with my good mate Carly Scullion are always up there with being my favourite!

Which year has been your best National Championships?
I must say that 2007 was a memorable year for me - it was my first year leading Senior Marchpast for which I won Best Leader, I won my first 'Champion of Champions' and I also won all of the events that I competed in!

Have you had any injuries from twirling?
It wasn’t really from twirling but it did happen at training, I tore ligaments in my knee because I slipped over my tracksuit pants Haha! I’m known for falling over! Danielle Bentick has nick-named me “slider” for a stack that happened right in front of her!

What are you looking forward to most about Norway?
I am really looking forward to performing our team, we have some younger girls this year and I am so excited for them as well! I love the whole lead-up to the competition with training - just drilling the routine, and then of course competing. When you train so hard for it all year it’s a great feeling being out on the floor performing it! I also must say I’m looking forward to see what Japan, America and France (of course) have to offer, they are amazing to watch!

Who is your baton twirling idol?
My idol... It probably sounds corny but I really look up to Ainslie Hunt (Macintyre) and Jennie Doniger (Spooner). They have always both trained so hard and never given up which made them, I think, two of the best in Australia in their time.
I also love to watch and learn things from Chiaru and Seishi from Japan - especially in pairs when they were always so amazing.

What is your favourite trick?
Karrissa Wimberley always comes out with some amazing tricks, she has so much strength which makes her able to do unreal acrobatic moves, she always pulls out different tricks that no one else has.

2010 World Athlete Interview – Danielle Bentick. Senior Women Freestlye.

When did you first start twirling?
I started twirling in 1992 with the Dubbo RSL Youth Club. Mrs Gray was the manager and she did such a great job - she taught me so many life lessons. I have now been with the Dubbo PCYC club since late 2005.

What is one of your favourite routines you’ve ever done?
The Jungle team in 2005, it was the best! Since then I’ve always thought of it as the bench mark and I’ve received so many positive comments about it from others. It was also so fun just training and performing it.

When was your first World Championships?
1999 in Daytona Beach Florida, America. I competed in Junior Pairs with Neralee Lane. We were so nervous but the Sutherland and Bexley girls were great, they helped us out as our coach Nicole Stevens couldn’t come with us. We gained SIXTH PLACE we were soooooooo excited! Actually at one stage, when we were training on the beach, we got a crowd of people watching because they thought we were busking – they asked our parents where to put the money!

Have you had any injuries from twirling?
Yes!!! So many bruises, black eyes, a cracked nose, torn ligament, blood blisters, eggs on elbow and head, fat lips and the list goes on… I’m a bit of a Gumby.

What are you looking forward to most about Norway?
I am looking forward to exploring yet another country as an Aussie – funny things ALWAYS happen at Worlds! I’m also very excited to be able to watch the team event this year; I haven’t been able to do that for many years.

Who is your baton twirling idol?
Catherine Moua from France. She is such a strong twirler and she really drags the audience in, I literally hold my breath when she’s twirling.

What is your goal for twirling this year?
My goal is to perform a personal best in freestyle in Norway!

What is your talent?

Gracie: What is your talent?
Cheryl: It's-- It's kind of like....
        It's, you know, it's like a surprise.
        But don't worry, it's nothing embarrassing.
Gracie: Not anything like baton twirling or anything.
        So, what's your talent?

Ah… That famous dialect from Miss Congeniality when Sandra Bullock made us cringe and enjoy a few moments of embarrassment in front of our non-baton-twirling friends.

Heather Burns, who played Cheryl, was a wonderful actress however required a stunt double to pull off her "talent."

Ever wondered who that stunt double may have been? They employed the lovely Dr. Coral Noonan-Terry who is a Texan baton twirler.

See her fifteen seconds of fame here.