Idol of Stars!

Hip-hop star Akon hung up on Michael Jackson when the King of Pop first phoned him about recording a duet - because he refused to believe his childhood idol was a fan.

As part of a Behind the Music special on Akon, which aired in America on Wednesday (11Apr12), the singer recalled meeting the Thriller star when he was just five years old: "I met Michael for the first time, not realising how big he was - just an amazing person. It made a huge impression on me, because as I got older I would always remember that moment. I used to always say to myself, 'If I ever did anything on the music level, I would meet back with Michael and maybe do something with him.'"

Akon said, "He calls me, you know (in) his little voice, 'Hey Akon how are you?' I was like, 'I don't believe you,' and I hung up the phone. And he calls back, and he says, 'Akon, it's really me, it's Michael, it's really me.' And at that moment my hands started shaking."