Lionel Richie: Michael Jackson hologram was ‘freaky’

22 May 2014, 11:56 | Updated: 22 May 2014, 12:12

Michael Jackson - Slave To The Rhythm

03:58

Lionel Richie was "freaked out" by the Michael Jackson hologram at the Billboard Music Awards.

The late King of Pop's posthumous record Xscape hit stores earlier this month and it was celebrated at Sunday's ceremony. A hologram of Jackson was displayed on stage, performing his new track from the album, Slave To The Rhythm.

But Lionel Richie wasn’t overly impressed, telling Access Hollywood:

"It was freaky; I must tell you it freaked me out because it's Mike. I have to tell you it was brilliantly done, but it just made me a little uneasy because it was just. I keep waiting for him and then I realise that is him but it's not him."

Richie and Jackson were good friends and worked together on a number of occasions, including writing the iconic 1985 charity song We Are the World.

64 year old Lionel said he understand why the hologram was created but said it was a "little bit over the top [for me]".

How did you feel about the Michael Jackson hologram? We think the first single taken from Xscape, Love Never Felt So Good, is great but we’re not convinced about the hologram itself!

Watch the video for Love Never Felt So Good below: