Did Madonna Tell Michael to Beat It?

At last weekend's MTV Video Music Awards, Madonna opened the ceremony with a tribute to the late entertainer Michael Jackson in which she drew parallels between their lives and shared details of a date the two went on in 1991.

However, according to gossip maven Janet Charlton, the date was strictly for publicity purposes. Charlton claims the two went on an arranged date strictly to generate extra attention for projects they were promoting (her documentary Truth or Dare, and his album Dangerous).

In a post on her website, Charlton reveals the pair had dinner at the West Hollywood restaurant the Ivy a week before to orchestrate the event.

"Madonna called Michael and suggested they maximize their publicity by attending the Academy Awards together," Charlton claims. "On Oscar night Michael wore a diamond broach and two gloves and Madonna was in her Marilyn Monroe phase with platinum hair and white fur. They made a big deal out of holding hands and posing for photographers."

Charlton discloses that the mood quickly changed as soon as they entered the legendary L.A. eatery Spago for the after-party.

"Once inside, Madonna got bored and ended up sitting on her [ex-boyfriend] Warren Beatty's lap while Michael huddled up with Diana Ross," Charlton reveals.

When the party was over, Madonna hurriedly dropped off Jackson and then hooked up with actor-model John Enos.