UTech student jets off to MJ concert

Leighton Levy, Gleaner Writer

Twenty-year-old Danielle Campbell leaves for New York today for the opportunity of a lifetime.

Campbell, a student studying business at the University of Technology (UTech), was the lucky winner of a trip for two to New York to attend a special Michael Jackson concert, celebrating 25 years of the release of Jackson's multi-platinum album Bad. Today also happens to be Michael Jackson's birthday.

Campbell won an all-expense-paid trip to New York where she will have a schedule filled with pretty much whatever she wants to do - shopping, sightseeing, and eating at some of the best restaurants Manhattan has to offer.

She and her mother will fly into New York today and attend the Michael Jackson Hologram Concert tonight. She returns to Jamaica tomorrow.

Campbell, a huge fan of the late entertainer's music, said she entered the Pepsi King of Pop Facebook competition only because a friend of hers entered the dance competition. She answered a few questions and thought nothing of it until someone called her and told her she was the winner.

"I was seriously surprised," said the affable UTech student. She said she was in a state of disbelief until the woman on the line began providing details and asked her if she was in possession of a passport and an American visa. "I never imagined I would win."

Campbell was born approximately five years after Michael Jackson released Bad, the album that has sold more than 40 million copies worldwide, but grew to love the entertainer's work. "I love all of Michael Jackson's music, but I believe Bad is the best," she said.

Her mother, Carole, will be accompanying her on her trip. "Dad is busy and my sister is unable to go, but my mom was always my first choice and she is my best friend and I want to share this experience with her," she said.

Campbell struggled to find the words to describe how she felt about going to New York to attend the concert.

"I am very excited and grateful," she said.

"I just want to be part of the experience, just to know how it feels to be with the other persons there. It's the experience of a lifetime."