Makeup artists says Jackson was pushed to attend rehearsals

Michael Jackson arrives at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse in Santa Maria, Calif., in this March 17, 2005 file photo. (AP / Michael A. Mariant)

LOS ANGELES -- Michael Jackson's longtime makeup artist says she heard an executive for the promoter of the singer's planned comeback concerts insist that he rehearse.

Karen Faye told a Los Angeles jury on Thursday that she overheard AEG Live LLC executive Paul Gongaware tell Jackson's assistant in a phone call to do whatever it took to get the singer out of a bathroom and to a rehearsal.

She also testified that tour director Kenny Ortega and others were concerned that Jackson was missing rehearsals for the planned "This Is It" shows.

Faye is testifying in a negligent hiring case filed by Jackson's mother against AEG, claiming the company failed to properly investigate the doctor who cared for Jackson and was later convicted of causing the singer's death.

AEG denies any wrongdoing.