The young Australian guitarist handpicked by Michael Jackson to play a key role in his London concerts has revealed her joy at working with the "King of Pop" and the devastation of his death.
Known simply as Orianthi, the 24-year-old blonde Adelaide beauty appears prominently in recently released rehearsal video footage of Jackson preparing for the 50 London concerts.
The footage was shot in Los Angeles two days before Jackson died.
In one piece Orianthi is aggressively playing the guitar to a rock version of Jackson's hit, They Don't Care About Us, and Jackson slides up close to her.
"Really surreal," Orianthi, speaking on CNN, said of her brief experience working with Jackson.
"I'm a big fan. Just a huge fan.
"When I got the email to come and audition for him I was just blown away.
"I didn't think it was real."
On June 25 Jackson, 50, stopped breathing in his $US100,000 a month rented Los Angeles mansion and could not be revived.
Autopsy results are pending.
"It was amazing, then devastating," Orianthi said.
Orianthi first picked up an acoustic guitar aged six, moved to electric at 11, at 15 played her first support act for a Steve Vai concert and when she was 18 jammed with guitar legend Carlos Santana on stage at a concert in Adelaide.
She is now based in Los Angeles and has a record deal with 19 Recordings/Geffen Records.
Earlier this year Orianthi caused plenty of buzz when she performed with US country music star Carrie Underwood at the Grammy Awards ceremony.
Orianthi said Jackson was extra special.
"He had a wonderful aura about him. A beautiful spirit," she said.
"Just being in his presence. I'm so grateful that I had that time with him."
Front page
Entertainment home
RSS Feed