HOME ALONE star MACAULAY CULKIN has shot down a sensational U.K. newspaper report suggesting he is the biological father of MICHAEL JACKSON's youngest son PRINCE MICHAEL II.
The Sun published an article on Monday (30Aug09) naming former child star Culkin, a close friend of the pop superstar, as the dad of the seven year old, aka Blanket.
The boy was delivered via a surrogate, whose identity has never officially been disclosed.
The King of Pop's death in June (09) has sparked fresh speculation over the child's parentage.
Culkin, who has yet to publicly speak about the death of his pal, is the latest to be linked to the controversy. But the actor's representative Michelle Bega has blasted the "preposterous" claims.
When approached by TMZ.com to comment on The Sun's article, Bega replied, "The enquiries are too preposterous for us to even acknowledge."
Jackson claimed to have fathered his two eldest children, Prince Michael, 12, and Paris, 11, with his second wife Deborah Rowe, but even that has come into question, with both British actor Mark Lester and Rowe's former boss, Jackson's dermatologist Dr. Arnold Klein, both suggesting they could be the biological fathers.
Monday, August 31, 2009
CULKIN BRANDS JACKSON CHILD REPORT 'PREPOSTEROUS'
JACKSON'S BIRTHDAY BURIAL RULED OUT BY MOTHER
MICHAEL JACKSON's mother KATHERINE refused to bury him on his birthday because it went against her religious beliefs, according to the singer's brother MARLON.
After weeks of speculation about the King of Pop's final resting place, it was reported he would be buried on what would have been his 51st birthday (29Aug09) in a mausoleum at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California.
It then emerged the Jackson family had changed the date so they could have more time to plan the burial service.
But Marlon insists his brother's interment was postponed because 79-year-old Katherine refused to give any significance to the day, in accordance with her Jehovah's Witness faith, which does not recognise birthdays as they are believed to be rooted in pagan celebrations.
He tells Britain's Sunday Mirror, "I wanted to lay him to rest on the day the Lord created him. But my mother really didn't want to bury him on that day."
According to Marlon, Michael will now be buried in a sunset ceremony on Thursday (03Aug09) in the Holly Terrace Grand Mausoleum at Forest Lawn, where Aretha Franklin is expected to sing.
Marlon adds, "This will be a private ceremony. This will be Michael's final curtain call - the last show. His shell will be gone but his spirit lives on."
Thursday, August 27, 2009
JACKSON DEATH DETAILS TO BE RELEASED ON FRIDAY
The mystery behind MICHAEL JACKSON's death is set to be revealed on Friday (28Aug09), according to new reports.
The Los Angeles County Coroner's office plans to announce the cause and manner of Jackson's death on 25 June (09) tomorrow morning.
The death details come just days after a search warrant affidavit, featuring an account of the King of Pop's last hours by physician Dr. Conrad Murray, was unsealed in Texas and obtained by the Los Angeles Times newspaper.
The warrant included a list of the drugs Dr. Murray reportedly administered to Jackson in a bid to get the singer to sleep on the last night of his life.
Meanwhile, details of what investigators found and bagged up at Jackson's rented home in the hours after his death have been leaked to the press.
The items include rotting marijuana, 14 pill bottles containing sleep and anti-anxiety medications, a tube of Benoquin skin bleaching cream and three vials of a liquid used for glaucoma patients.
ANOTHER PRINCE MICHAEL MOONWALKS FORWARD
A 24-year-old San Francisco, California man is requesting an official DNA test to prove he's MICHAEL JACKSON's son.
Prince Michael Malachi Jet Jackson filed a creditor's claim in Los Angeles on Tuesday (25Aug09), insisting he's due a share of the King of Pop's fortune.
The 24 year old submitted a birth certificate, which lists a "Michael Joseph Jackson" of Indiana as the father and Zerline LaVette Dixon as the mother, with his claim.
According to the documents, obtained by TMZ.com, the Jackson family pressured Prince Michael not to reveal his true identity.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
ADDICTION SPECIALIST: 'JACKSON'S DOCTOR WAS IN OVER HIS HEAD'
ADDICTION SPECIALIST: 'JACKSON'S DOCTOR WAS IN OVER HIS HEAD'
Hollywood's top addiction specialist DR. DREW PINSKY has blasted MICHAEL JACKSON's embattled physician for not seeking help for his superstar client's spiralling drug problem.
In an affidavit, obtained by the Los Angeles Times earlier this week (beg24Aug09), Dr. Conrad Murray reportedly told police he was trying to wean the King of Pop off powerful anaesthetic Propofol, which Jackson was using in large doses in an effort to get to sleep.
Legal and medical experts have questioned Dr. Murray's decision to make the drug available to Jackson - because it's usually strictly administered only in sterile environments, like hospitals, by trained anaesthesiologists.
And now Dr. Pinsky, the man behind reality TV show Celebrity Rehab, has publicly criticised Jackson's physician for not alerting experts to the singer's drug dependency issues.
Pinsky says, "You can't wean people off medication, it really doesn't work. The fact is, if he identified addiction in Michael Jackson he should have brought in an addiction team... Dr. Murray was unfortunately over his head with this one.
"I would bring that person into a hospital, 24-hour monitoring... and cold turkey."
ADDICTION SPECIALIST: 'JACKSON'S DOCTOR WAS IN OVER HIS HEAD'
Hollywood's top addiction specialist DR. DREW PINSKY has blasted MICHAEL JACKSON's embattled physician for not seeking help for his superstar client's spiralling drug problem.
In an affidavit, obtained by the Los Angeles Times earlier this week (beg24Aug09), Dr. Conrad Murray reportedly told police he was trying to wean the King of Pop off powerful anaesthetic Propofol, which Jackson was using in large doses in an effort to get to sleep.
Legal and medical experts have questioned Dr. Murray's decision to make the drug available to Jackson - because it's usually strictly administered only in sterile environments, like hospitals, by trained anaesthesiologists.
And now Dr. Pinsky, the man behind reality TV show Celebrity Rehab, has publicly criticised Jackson's physician for not alerting experts to the singer's drug dependency issues.
Pinsky says, "You can't wean people off medication, it really doesn't work. The fact is, if he identified addiction in Michael Jackson he should have brought in an addiction team... Dr. Murray was unfortunately over his head with this one.
"I would bring that person into a hospital, 24-hour monitoring... and cold turkey."
Monday, August 24, 2009
Jackson died from lethal dose of propofol
HOUSTON (Reuters) - Pop star Michael Jackson died from a lethal dose of the powerful anesthetic propofol given in a cocktail of drugs, leading authorities to suspect his doctor of manslaughter, court documents showed on Monday.
The "Thriller" singer suffered cardiac arrest and died on June 25 at age 50. Since then, an investigation by state and federal agencies have focused on Conrad Murray, Jackson's personal doctor who was at his bedside the day he died.
The findings, contained in a warrant to search Murray's home and offices, paint a picture of an insomniac pop star who could not sleep without heavy medication. Jackson sought out propofol -- routinely used to sedate patients and anesthetize them before surgeries such as a colonoscopy -- and called it his "milk."
"The Los Angeles Chief Medical Examiner-Coroner, Dr. (Lakshmanan) Sathyavagiswaran, indicated that he had reviewed the preliminary toxicology results and his preliminary assessment of Jackson's cause of death was due to lethal levels of propofol (diprivan)," according to a warrant to search Murray's offices issued by California.
The document was unsealed and released by the Harris County District Clerk in Houston, where Murray has an office. U.S. agents raided the office on July 22.
In an affidavit seeking the warrant, Houston police officer E.G. Chance said U.S. agents had gathered "items constituting evidence of the offense of manslaughter that tend to show that Dr. Conrad Murray committed the said criminal offense."
Murray's attorney, Ed Chernoff, was not available to comment.
In a statement, a representative said Jackson's family has "full confidence in the legal process, and commends the ongoing efforts of the L.A. County Coroner, the L.A. District Attorney and the L.A. Police Department."
Murray, who was with Jackson on June 25 administering drugs to ease the pop star to sleep, gave him a range of medication including a 25-milligram dose of propofol via an intravenous drip at 10:40 a.m. PDT, the state search warrant said.
Jackson was "very familiar" with propofol and referred to it as his "milk" because of its milky appearance, the warrant said. Murray, who had been treating Jackson for about six weeks leading up to his death, was worried that Jackson was addicted to propofol. Murray was trying to wean him off the drug by giving him smaller doses, it said.
Jason Hymes, an assistant clinical professor at the University of Southern California who is not associated with the case, said the drug was a true anesthetic. "You administer it to somebody and then operate on them ... This concept of giving somebody a general anesthetic for sleep disturbance strikes me as just bizarre and astoundingly inappropriate."
In the early hours of June 25, Murray also gave Jackson doses of anti-anxiety medications Valium and Ativan and sedative Versed, the filing said.
Jackson went to sleep after Murray gave him the propofol, and Murray stayed by his side for about 10 minutes, then left "to go to the restroom and relieve himself," the search warrant said.
Murray was out of Jackson's room for about 2 minutes and when he returned, Jackson was no longer breathing, the warrant said.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
DISTRICT ATTORNEY DISMISSES DR. MURRAY MANSLAUGHTER STORY
DISTRICT ATTORNEY DISMISSES DR. MURRAY MANSLAUGHTER STORY
Officials at the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office have dismissed Internet reports suggesting they are gearing up to charge MICHAEL JACKSON's personal physician DR. CONRAD MURRAY with manslaughter.
One report suggests Murray, who was living with the King of Pop when he died in June (09), will be accused of killing the pop star in the next two weeks.
But the District Attorney's office authorities insist the story is "completely and totally false".
FOXNews.com reported on Wednesday (19Aug09) that the doctor, who has been interviewed several times by authorities, would face criminal charges due to his alleged involvement in the King of Pop’s death.
The story surfaced 24 hours after Dr. Murray filmed a one-minute video, professing his innocence and thanking patients and friends for their support, and posted it on website YouTube.com.
Murray has been a person of interest ever since Jackson died on 25 June (09). Investigators have been looking into whether Murray gave the pop star the anaesthetic Propofol in the hours before his death.
STRAIT REPLACES JACKSON AS U.S. ALBUM CHART KING
STRAIT REPLACES JACKSON AS U.S. ALBUM CHART KING
The King of Country has dethroned the King of Pop in America - GEORGE STRAIT has ended MICHAEL JACKSON's run as the album bestseller.
Strait's new album Twang replaces Jackson's Number Ones compilation as the best selling album in America.
The pop superstar has held that title for five of the seven weeks since his death in June (09).
Twang is Strait's fifth number one on the Billboard 200 countdown, and his 23rd to top the Top Country Albums chart.
Another old-timer, Neil Diamond, crashes in to the number two spot on the main chart with concert CD/DVD Hot August Night/NYC, and the Black Eyed Peas' The E.N.D. rounds out the new top three.
Indie rock supergroup Cobra Starship's third album Hot Mess debuts at four.
THOUSANDS SIGN ON TO BREAK THRILLER RECORD ON JACKSON'S BIRTHDAY
THOUSANDS SIGN ON TO BREAK THRILLER RECORD ON JACKSON'S BIRTHDAY
Thousands of MICHAEL JACKSON fans will gather in Mexico City on the star's 51st birthday for a record-breaking dance-off to the King of Pop's hit THRILLER.
As Jackson family members say their final farewells to the entertainer at Glendale's Forest Lawn Memorial Park in California on 29 August (09), over 10,000 people have signed on to celebrate the pop star's life and break the record for most people to dance to the track simultaneously in one place.
The group will be led by a Jackson impersonator, according to organiser Carlos Contreras.
The record is currently held by a group of 242 students at Virginia's College of William & Mary, who performed the routine in May (09).
PEARL JAM'S JACKSON TRIBUTE
Rockers PEARL JAM paid tribute to late superstar MICHAEL JACKSON as they took the stage at the O2 Arena in London on Tuesday night (18Aug09).
The Alive hitmakers' gig was originally scheduled during a break in the King of Pop's This Is It comeback concerts at the venue, before the music icon's sudden death in June (09).
And frontman Eddie Vedder marked the Thriller hitmaker's passing by paying homage to "the man who was due to grace this same stage," by bursting into an acoustic version of Jackson's song Ben.
The band followed Ben with their own track Rats, which references the beloved rodent pet that Jackson sang about in his famous 1972 ballad.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
JACKSON TO BE BURIED ON HIS BIRTHDAY - CONFIRMED
JACKSON TO BE BURIED ON HIS BIRTHDAY - CONFIRMED
MICHAEL JACKSON's family has confirmed the King of Pop will be laid to rest on what would have been his 51st birthday (29Aug09).
After weeks of speculation, the pop superstar - who died on 25 June (09) - will be buried in a mausoleum at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale.
A spokesman for the family tells WENN, "Michael Jackson will be laid to rest at Holly Terrace in The Great Mausoleum at Glendale Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale on Saturday, August 29, 2009, at 10am, on what would have been his 51st birthday.
"The private ceremony will be limited to family and close friends.
"The Jackson family once again wishes to express its gratitude to Michael's fans around the world for their support during these difficult times."
Jackson's body has reportedly spent the past six weeks at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park in the Hollywood Hills, where the family staged a private memorial on the morning of a much more public service at the Staples Center in Los Angeles last month (Jul09).
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Jackson not buried yet
Michael Jackson's father Joe has dismissed reports the superstar was secretly buried in Los Angeles last week.
Reports over the weekend claimed the Jackson family held a private burial on Thursday and laid the singer to rest at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Los Angeles' Hollywood Hills.
The news coincided with reports that Jackson's brain, which was removed as part of the investigation into his death, was returned to the family by coroners.
However, Joe Jackson insists the family has still yet to decide on a resting place for the Thriller icon - seven weeks after his death in June, according to E! Online.
The family has been dogged by rumours of a disagreement over the King of Pop's remains, with his mother Katherine reportedly asking for her son to be interred at Forest Lawn and his
brother Jermaine pushing for a burial at Jackson's Neverland Ranch in Santa Barbara, California.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
JACKSON MERCHANDISE PLANS PUT ON HOLD
Plans for MICHAEL JACKSON tribute merchandise have been halted by a Los Angeles judge after the King of Pop's mother raised a series of objections to the deal during a court hearing on Monday (10Aug09).
The executors of the Thriller hitmaker's estate reached an agreement with concert promoters AEG Live - the firm behind the singer's ill-fated live comeback - and souvenir company Bravado International earlier this month (Aug09) to immortalise Jackson in a range of products branded with his name and image.
The proposal was presented to Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff for approval on Monday, but the official chose to delay ruling on the deal after Katherine Jackson's attorneys noted a number of concerns about the plans.
Executors John Branca and John MCClain want Beckloff to green-light the merchandising deal and open the way for a museum show of Jackson memorabilia and souvenirs, which they hope to put on display in three cities around the globe. The planned locations have not been revealed.
However, Katherine's attorney Burt Levitch claims the Jackson family are "not sure (AEG) would have been the first choice" to organise the museum tour.
A new court date to continue discussion over the merchandising deal has yet to be set.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
BILLIE JEAN WANTS CUSTODY OF BLANKET JACKSON
BILLIE JEAN WANTS CUSTODY OF BLANKET JACKSON
BILLIE JEAN JACKSON is re-launching her bid to gain custody of MICHAEL JACKSON's youngest son, PRINCE MICHAEL II.
Six months before the King Of Pop's untimely death in June (09), Billie Jean filed a lawsuit demanding $1 billion (£668 million) in support payments from the singer, as well as joint legal and physical custody of the seven year old, nicknamed Blanket, who she insists is her son.
The woman is now challenging Jackson matriarch Katherine's permanent guardianship, which she was awarded earlier this month (Aug09), in a second suit.
In the documents, obtained by TMZ.com, Billie Jean asks to see the youngster ever Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 2pm, and also requests a court-appointed handwriting expert to review Jackson's will for forgery attempts.
The Thriller hitmaker refused to identify Blanket's mother after he was born in 2002, but has previously said the child was the result of artificial insemination from a surrogate.
A Los Angeles judge awarded 79-year-old Katherine permanent custody of Jackson's three kids earlier this month (Aug09), just after the Jackson family settled a custody battle with the star's ex-wife Deborah Rowe - mother of the star's eldest children Prince Michael and Paris.
WOMAN ALLEGES SHE AND JACKSON PARENTED CRUISE'S ADOPTED SON
A woman alleging she is the biological mother of MICHAEL JACKSON's children has come forward with the outrageous claim she and the late KING OF POP conceived TOM CRUISE's adopted son.
On Friday (07Aug09), Claire Elisabeth Fields Cruise filed three petitions for guardianship of Jackson's kids, Prince Michael, Paris and seven-year-old Prince Michael II - the kids she maintains she gave her former husband Jackson, "who is now deceased".
And on Monday (10Aug09), Fields Cruise shocked reporters with the bizarre new assertion she and the singer are the parents of Connor Cruise, the Top Gun star's 14-year-old son.
According to Fields Cruise, Jackson didn't want the child because of his skin colour, so he gave the little boy to the actor and his then-wife Nicole Kidman.
Speaking outside the Los Angeles Superior court, Fields Cruise told journalists, "(Jackson) has always known (he is Connor's father). He voluntarily gave him up for adoption. He was very happy that Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman wanted his child. He did not want his own child because of the colour of his skin."
Fields Cruise then went on to declare she did not give birth to Jackson's three children, but instead donated the embryos to surrogates.
She added, "I did not donate eggs. Surrogate mothers gave birth to them. I conceived them in my body and they were safely removed from my body. There is technology that is in existence (to make that happen)."
She also named the three different men she insists are the real fathers of Jackson's three kids - but Julian Bleecker, who Fields Cruise says is the father of Paris, has already dismissed her story, branding it a "ridiculous accusation".
Fields Cruise's custody challenges are the latest to rock Jackson's estate - the parentage of Paris came into question on Sunday (09Aug09) when the Thriller icon's old friend, actor Mark Lester, told a British tabloid he could have fathered the girl after previously donating his sperm to the singer.
Jackson was previously sued by a woman named Billie Jean Jackson, who claimed she was the mother of his youngest kid, who is also known as Blanket.
She also grabbed headlines during Monday's estate hearing, when she declared in court, "I’m Blanket’s mother... I would like all proceedings in the estate to be halted until a forensic scientist looks at signatures on the will because I believe they were forged."
The judge told Billie Jean that Prince Michael II was currently in a guardianship and that the court would address her claims on 10 September (09).
The Jackson family settled a custody battle with the star's ex-wife Deborah Rowe - mother of the two eldest children - earlier this month (Aug09), just before a Los Angeles judge awarded the King of Pop's mother, Katherine Jackson, permanent custody of the kids.
JACKSON MOVIE DEAL GETS COURT APPROVAL
JACKSON MOVIE DEAL GETS COURT APPROVAL
MICHAEL JACKSON is heading to the big screen - a Los Angeles judge has approved a major movie deal that will feature footage of the King of Pop's final concert rehearsals.
The pop superstar was due to kickstart a 50-date residency in London as part of his This Is It tour in July (09), but he died on 25 June (09), just weeks before he was scheduled to make his live comeback.
Movie executives at Columbia Pictures were quick to snap up the rights to a documentary movie and reached a deal with concert promoters AEG on Friday (07Aug09).
The proposal was submitted to Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff during a hearing on Monday (10Aug09) and he signed off the deal - giving the film project the green light.
According to the proposed contract, the movie will feature the video footage of Jackson in his last rehearsal - just two days before he died - as well as footage that was intended to be shown during the concerts.
The Jackson estate will receive 90 per cent of the film's profits and concert promoters AEG will be awarded the remaining 10 per cent. Columbia has guaranteed a minimum of $60 million (£40 million) in return for the rights.
However, the deal is subject to the final approval of Jackson's mother Katherine, who Beckloff ruled had the right to review the contracts and file any objections to prior to the film getting underway.
JACKSON FAMILY FACE ANOTHER BIZARRE CUSTODY CHALLENGE
MICHAEL JACKSON's estate is facing another challenge for custody of the pop superstar's three children from a woman who alleges she was married to the singer and is the kids' biological mother.
Claire Elisabeth Fields Cruise has filed three petitions for guardianship of Prince Michael, 12, Paris, 11, and seven-year-old Prince Michael II, aka Blanket.
According to TMZ.com, Cruise states in her legal papers, "I am the biological mother of Prince Michael Jackson II and all of his siblings."
She goes on to allege she was Jackson's wife, "who is now deceased" - and is now "engaged to Prince Michael Jackson II's biological father".
The Jackson family settled a custody battle with the star's ex-wife Deborah Rowe - mother of the two eldest children - last week (begs03Aug09), when a Los Angeles judge awarded pop matriarch Katherine Jackson permanent custody of the kids.
The parentage of the Thriller hitmaker's daughter, Paris, came into question on Sunday (09Aug09) when Jackson's old friend, British actor Mark Lester, alleged he could have fathered the girl after previously donating his sperm to the singer.
The youngest child, Blanket, was conceived by a surrogate, whose identity has never been revealed.
Jackson was previously sued by a woman named Billie Jean who claimed she was the mother of the seven year old.
CORONER COMPLETES JACKSON DEATH INVESTIGATION BUT CAN'T RELEASE FINDINGS
Officials at the Los Angeles Coroners office have confirmed they've completed a "thorough and comprehensive" investigation into the death of MICHAEL JACKSON.
Police chiefs plan to maintain a security hold on the results until they've completed their own investigation into the events of 25 June (09) - the day Jackson died.
The latest reports suggest the coroner now knows what killed the Thriller singer, but he is forbidden from making his findings public and releasing the information.
Monday, August 10, 2009
JACKSON TRIBUTE CONFIRMED FOR VIENNA
JACKSON TRIBUTE CONFIRMED FOR VIENNA
An official tribute concert honouring late superstar MICHAEL JACKSON will be held in Vienna, Austria next month (Sep09) - with an all-star line-up performing his hits.
Rumours of a memorial gig have been prevalent since the Thriller hitmaker passed away in June (09) - with internet gossips claiming the show would be held at the O2 Arena in London, where Jackson had been due to place a 50-date residency.
But Jackson's brother, Jermaine, has now confirmed they are planning to stage a massive concert in Vienna in the grounds of the city's former imperial Schoenbrunn Palace in September (09).
Although an official date has yet to be announced, organisers claim to have secured a "high-profile lineup of international stars" who will pay tribute to the King of Pop through a night of musical celebrations.
An official statement from the company behind the event, World Awards Media, reads, "For one incredible night Michael Jackson's unforgettable music will be brought to life again. Some of the world's leading artists will perform Michael's greatest hits live in Vienna in front of one of the most fascinating historical sites in Europe and celebrate the life of the King of Pop."
It had originally been hoped that the concert would take place on 29 August (09) - what would have been the star's 51st birthday - but bosses at the events company insist they had to rule out the landmark date because it "would have been an extreme logistical challenge".
Jermaine Jackson has explained the reason for the choice of location, revealing his brother was always fond of Austria and visited the country at least four times throughout his life.
And he is delighted the arrangements for the concert have finally come together.
He adds, "I have invited many of the most acclaimed talents of our time and many have already confirmed to perform in honour of my beloved brother. I am very proud to be able to stage this concert honouring my younger brother Michael and his legacy. The Tribute is conceived to be an annual event to keep not only his unique music alive, but his spirit as well. Michael loved people and he also loved to help people and that will never be forgotten. His life was much too short, yet it was filled with many magic moments and lasting memories
The concert will be broadcast live on TV and over 85,000 fans will be given the chance to attend. Ticket sales for The Tribute go on sale on 20 August (09).
NO PATERNITY TEST FOR LESTER?
NO PATERNITY TEST FOR LESTER?
JACKSON family lawyer BRIAN OXMAN fears actor MARK LESTER will struggle to convince a judge to order a paternity test to prove he fathered MICHAEL JACKSON's daughter PARIS - because California law forbids it.
The Oliver! star is godfather to the King of Pop's three children Prince Michael, 12, Paris, 11, and seven-year-old Prince Michael II - and stunned the world this weekend (08-09Aug09) by announcing he could be Paris' biological dad.
Lester admits donating sperm to Jackson in 1996, while the singer was married to ex-wife Debbie Rowe, and has come forward with the shocking revelation about the youngster's parentage amid fears Jackson's mother Katherine plans to keep him away from the kids.
The Brit insists he just wants to remain a part of the children's lives - and is willing to fight for his right to access through the courts if the Jacksons continue to "exclude" him from contact.
But Oxman, a longtime representative for the Jackson clan, believes it will be difficult for Lester to secure a court-ordered paternity test, because Californian laws protect children from questioning their parentage if they are born to a married couple - and any paternity issues need to be addressed within two years of birth.
He tells British morning show GMTV, "If there were a request for a paternity test the judge would have to waive the law in the state of California, which says that a child born to a man and a woman who are married is conclusively presumed to be the child of that married couple - unless the paternity test is requested within two years of the birth of the child.
"So the result would be on the late side but it's up to a judge to make that decision. So in the Michael Jackson case I say, 'Anything is possible'. I think this is one of the most extraordinary cases I've seen."
JACKSON MOVIE DEAL GETS COURT APPROVAL
JACKSON MOVIE DEAL GETS COURT APPROVAL
MICHAEL JACKSON is heading to the big screen - a Los Angeles judge has approved a major movie deal that will feature footage of the King of Pop's final concert rehearsals.
The pop superstar was due to kickstart a 50-date residency in London as part of his This Is It tour in July (09), but he died on 25 June (09), just weeks before he was scheduled to make his live comeback.
Movie executives at Columbia Pictures were quick to snap up the rights to a documentary movie and reached a deal with concert promoters AEG on Friday (07Aug09).
The proposal was submitted to Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff during a hearing on Monday (10Aug09) and he signed off the deal - giving the film project the green light.
According to the proposed contract, the movie will feature the video footage of Jackson in his last rehearsal - just two days before he died - as well as footage that was intended to be shown during the concerts.
The Jackson estate will receive 90 per cent of the film's profits and concert promoters AEG will be awarded the remaining 10 per cent. Columbia has guaranteed a minimum of $60 million (£40 million) in return for the rights.
However, the deal is subject to the final approval of Jackson's mother Katherine, who Beckloff ruled had the right to review the contracts and file any objections to prior to the film getting underway.
JACKSON FAMILY FACE ANOTHER BIZARRE CUSTODY CHALLENGE
JACKSON FAMILY FACE ANOTHER BIZARRE CUSTODY CHALLENGE
MICHAEL JACKSON's estate is facing another challenge for custody of the pop superstar's three children from a woman who alleges she was married to the singer and is the kids' biological mother.
Claire Elisabeth Fields Cruise has filed three petitions for guardianship of Prince Michael, 12, Paris, 11, and seven-year-old Prince Michael II, aka Blanket.
According to TMZ.com, Cruise states in her legal papers, "I am the biological mother of Prince Michael Jackson II and all of his siblings."
She goes on to allege she was Jackson's wife, "who is now deceased" - and is now "engaged to Prince Michael Jackson II's biological father".
The Jackson family settled a custody battle with the star's ex-wife Deborah Rowe - mother of the two eldest children - last week (begs03Aug09), when a Los Angeles judge awarded pop matriarch Katherine Jackson permanent custody of the kids.
The parentage of the Thriller hitmaker's daughter, Paris, came into question on Sunday (09Aug09) when Jackson's old friend, British actor Mark Lester, alleged he could have fathered the girl after previously donating his sperm to the singer.
The youngest child, Blanket, was conceived by a surrogate, whose identity has never been revealed.
Jackson was previously sued by a woman named Billie Jean who claimed she was the mother of the seven year old.
MICHAEL JACKSON - JACKSON STILL THRILLS U.K. ALBUM CHART
JACKSON STILL THRILLS U.K. ALBUM CHART
MICHAEL JACKSON has continued his reign at the top of the U.K. album chart for a sixth week running.
The Thriller hitmaker, who died in June (09), held on to the number one slot this week (ends09Aug09) with The Essential, a collection of his hits.
Florence And The MAChine came in at two with Lungs, the Black Eyed Peas' The E.N.D grabbed number three, Scottish singer Paolo Nutini took fourth place with Sunny Side Up, while Beyonce rounded out the top five with I Am... Sasha Fierce.
In the singles chart, the Black Eyed Peas' former chart topper I Gotta Feeling was knocked into second place by Tinchy Stryder featuring Amelle with Never Leave You.
Kanye West's protege Mr Hudson was at three with his track Supernova, British boyband JLS' Beat Again dropped two places to four, while Beyonce completed the top five with Sweet Dreams.
MICHAEL JACKSON - JACKSON TRIBUTE CONFIRMED FOR VIENNA
JACKSON TRIBUTE CONFIRMED FOR VIENNA
An official tribute concert honouring late superstar MICHAEL JACKSON will be held in Vienna, Austria next month (Sep09) - with an all-star line-up performing his hits.
Rumours of a memorial gig have been prevalent since the Thriller hitmaker passed away in June (09) - with internet gossips claiming the show would be held at the O2 Arena in London, where Jackson had been due to place a 50-date residency.
But Jackson's brother, Jermaine, has now confirmed they are planning to stage a massive concert in Vienna in the grounds of the city's former imperial Schoenbrunn Palace in September (09).
Although an official date has yet to be announced, organisers claim to have secured a "high-profile lineup of international stars" who will pay tribute to the King of Pop through a night of musical celebrations.
An official statement from the company behind the event, World Awards Media, reads, "For one incredible night Michael Jackson's unforgettable music will be brought to life again. Some of the world's leading artists will perform Michael's greatest hits live in Vienna in front of one of the most fascinating historical sites in Europe and celebrate the life of the King of Pop."
It had originally been hoped that the concert would take place on 29 August (09) - what would have been the star's 51st birthday - but bosses at the events company insist they had to rule out the landmark date because it "would have been an extreme logistical challenge".
Jermaine Jackson has explained the reason for the choice of location, revealing his brother was always fond of Austria and visited the country at least four times throughout his life.
And he is delighted the arrangements for the concert have finally come together.
He adds, "I have invited many of the most acclaimed talents of our time and many have already confirmed to perform in honour of my beloved brother. I am very proud to be able to stage this concert honouring my younger brother Michael and his legacy. The Tribute is conceived to be an annual event to keep not only his unique music alive, but his spirit as well. Michael loved people and he also loved to help people and that will never be forgotten. His life was much too short, yet it was filled with many magic moments and lasting memories
The concert will be broadcast live on TV and over 85,000 fans will be given the chance to attend. Ticket sales for The Tribute go on sale on 20 August (09).
NO PATERNITY TEST FOR LESTER?
NO PATERNITY TEST FOR LESTER?
JACKSON family lawyer BRIAN OXMAN fears actor MARK LESTER will struggle to convince a judge to order a paternity test to prove he fathered MICHAEL JACKSON's daughter PARIS - because California law forbids it.
The Oliver! star is godfather to the King of Pop's three children Prince Michael, 12, Paris, 11, and seven-year-old Prince Michael II - and stunned the world this weekend (08-09Aug09) by announcing he could be Paris' biological dad.
Lester admits donating sperm to Jackson in 1996, while the singer was married to ex-wife Debbie Rowe, and has come forward with the shocking revelation about the youngster's parentage amid fears Jackson's mother Katherine plans to keep him away from the kids.
The Brit insists he just wants to remain a part of the children's lives - and is willing to fight for his right to access through the courts if the Jacksons continue to "exclude" him from contact.
But Oxman, a longtime representative for the Jackson clan, believes it will be difficult for Lester to secure a court-ordered paternity test, because Californian laws protect children from questioning their parentage if they are born to a married couple - and any paternity issues need to be addressed within two years of birth.
He tells British morning show GMTV, "If there were a request for a paternity test the judge would have to waive the law in the state of California, which says that a child born to a man and a woman who are married is conclusively presumed to be the child of that married couple - unless the paternity test is requested within two years of the birth of the child.
"So the result would be on the late side but it's up to a judge to make that decision. So in the Michael Jackson case I say, 'Anything is possible'. I think this is one of the most extraordinary cases I've seen."
JACKSON FAMILY LAWYER BACKS LESTER
JACKSON FAMILY LAWYER BACKS LESTER
JACKSON family lawyer BRIAN OXMAN has backed MARK LESTER after the former child star opened up about the possibility he fathered MICHAEL JACKSON's daughter PARIS.
The Oliver star stunned the world this weekend (08-09Aug09) by revealing he could be the 11 year old's biological dad because he donated sperm to Jackson in 1996, following a request from the superstar.
Lester is godfather to Paris, as well as the King of Pop's two sons, Prince Michael, 12, and seven-year-old Prince Michael II, aka Blanket.
He admitted he only came forward with the revelations because he feels Jackson's mother Katherine has cut him out of the kids' lives since their father died.
And now Oxman, a spokesman and attorney for the Jackson clan, has backed Lester's claims - because he can't imagine why the Brit would lie about such a sensitive subject.
He tells British morning show GMTV, "Mark Lester is a very straight shooter, an honest man and when he describes the process by which he was asked to make a donation of sperm, I believe every word he says. Michael Jackson always told me he was the biological father so you have on one hand Mark saying he might be and Michael saying he might be - so you have the question who the daddy is.
"Mark always told the truth and I believe he is telling us straight right now."
Oxman admits it is perfectly plausible for Lester to have fathered Jackson's daughter - because he always enjoyed a close friendship with the late Thriller hitmaker.
He adds, "There was nobody who was closer to Michael Jackson and his family than Mark Lester and his children. He was the godfather and his children played with Prince, Paris and Blanket. Michael promised him it would always be that kind of relationship, so I understand he is very upset."
Jackson's ex-wife, Debbie Rowe, is believed to have given birth to both Paris and Prince Michael, while Prince Michael II was born to an unnamed surrogate mother.
JACKSON STILL THRILLS U.K. ALBUM CHART
JACKSON STILL THRILLS U.K. ALBUM CHART
MICHAEL JACKSON has continued his reign at the top of the U.K. album chart for a sixth week running.
The Thriller hitmaker, who died in June (09), held on to the number one slot this week (ends09Aug09) with The Essential, a collection of his hits.
Florence And The MAChine came in at two with Lungs, the Black Eyed Peas' The E.N.D grabbed number three, Scottish singer Paolo Nutini took fourth place with Sunny Side Up, while Beyonce rounded out the top five with I Am... Sasha Fierce.
In the singles chart, the Black Eyed Peas' former chart topper I Gotta Feeling was knocked into second place by Tinchy Stryder featuring Amelle with Never Leave You.
Kanye West's protege Mr Hudson was at three with his track Supernova, British boyband JLS' Beat Again dropped two places to four, while Beyonce completed the top five with Sweet Dreams.
MICHAEL JACKSON - JACKSON BURIED - REPORTS
JACKSON BURIED - REPORTS
MICHAEL JACKSON has reportedly been laid to rest.
The King Of Pop is believed to have been interred in a mausoleum owned by his close friend, Motown mogul Berry Gordy, in Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Los Angeles' Hollywood Hills on Thursday (06Aug09).
Family members, including Jackson's dad Joe and sister La Toya, were present at the secret ceremony, reports Britain's Daily Star.
The final farewell took place just hours after Jackson's brain was returned to the clan, following the organ's removal by coroners for testing to determine the cause of death.
A source tells the newspaper, "After Michael's high-profile funeral, the family were desperate to say goodbye privately and away from the cameras. His mother Katherine in particular was very uncomfortable with his body being in pieces due to the autopsies and wanted him laid to rest as soon as they were allowed.
"Within hours of the brain being returned, Michael was placed in the crypt. There was a casual ceremony with around 20 close friends and family.
"There were no prayers said, no speeches, everyone just reflected silently on their personal memories of Michael."
And former friend of Jackson's, Uri Geller, has indicated that the reports are true.
He tells British morning show GMTV, "As far as I understand he has (been buried), but rumours are flying constantly non stop."
Jackson died on 25 June (09) after suffering a cardiac arrest. His family staged a private ceremony at the Forest Lawn funeral home before celebrating his life at a televised star-studded event at the Staples Center in L.A. last month (Jul09).
Jackson family anger as Oliver! star Lester claims: I'm the daddy
Claims by Oliver! star Mark Lester that he could be the biological father of Michael Jackson's children were angrily dismissed by the singer's family yesterday.
They accused the former child star of a 'genetic lottery attempt' to stake a claim on Jackson's multi-million-pound fortune.
Lester, who made his name in the 1968 film version of the hit musical, had been good friends with Jackson since 1981.
Could they be sisters? Oliver! actor Mark Lester says he believes so
Jackson was finally laid to rest this week at the Forest lawn Cemetery in the Hollywood Hills. In contrast to the his memorial concert the burial was quiet, without even a ceremony as his body was put into the ground.
The Jackson family are keen to keep the grave private and have requested that it not be marked.
Lester claims he gave the troubled singer three samples of his sperm because Jackson was desperate to be a father.
Lester is convinced that 11-year-old Paris is his daughter because of the likeness between her and his own daughter Harriet, 15.
He also claims he could also be the father of 12-year-old Prince Michael I.
But lawyers for Jackson's mother Katherine - who is caring for Prince, Paris and their brother Prince Michael II, known as Blanket - attacked Lester's claims.
And Jackson's brother Jermaine insisted the children were all fathered by Jackson.
Jackson family lawyer Londell McMillan claimed Lester was simply bidding for 'five seconds of fame'.
Lester is godfather to Prince, Paris and Blanket and is furious that the family have cut him out of their lives since the singer's death on June 25.
'I'm the daddy': Child star Mark Lester claims he is the father of Paris, left
Sunday, August 9, 2009
JACKSON'S BRAIN RETURNED TO FAMILY
MICHAEL JACKSON's brain has been returned to his family, fuelling speculation the King Of Pop will be laid to rest this week (begs10Aug09).
Pathologists removed the organ from the singer's corpse after he passed away on 25 June (09) to carry out a series of tests to determine the cause of his death.
The brain was given back to the Jackson clan last week (ends07Aug09), amid reports his mother Katherine has decided to bury him at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park cemetery in Los Angeles' Hollywood Hills.
The singer's older brother Jermaine has publicly argued Jackson should be buried in the grounds of Neverland, his former home in Santa Barbara, California.
But 79-year-old Katherine reportedly disagreed, insisting her son never wanted to return to the sprawling estate, which he deserted after his child molestation trial in 2005.
JANET JACKSON TO HEAD MOBO LINE-UP
JANET JACKSON is set to perform at Britain's Music Of Black Origin (MOBO) awards next month (Sep09) as part of a tribute to her late brother MICHAEL JACKSON.
The event organisers have asked the singer to appear at the show in Glasgow, Scotland on 30 September (09).
They are planning to hold a number of tributes to the King of Pop, who died from a cardiac arrest in June (09).
The superstar's sibling is expected to fly in from Los Angeles to sing at the awards show, which will be her first U.K. appearance since her brother passed away.
A spokesperson for the MOBOs says, "Janet is a music icon in her own right and a previous MOBO presenter. We loved her past involvement with the show and MOBO will continue to support her music and champion her career.
"Michael Jackson was a key catalyst and influence on the culture, lifestyle and music that MOBO supports and represents. His sound, style and dance moves have inspired subsequent generations of pop, soul, R&B and hip-hop artists. Artists such as Usher, Ne-Yo and Justin Timberlake often cite Michael Jackson as their inspiration and it is key that we commemorate his life, achievements and legacy."
JACKSON CHILDREN RECOVERING AFTER DAD'S DEATH
The Jackson clan was stunned by the superstar's sudden passing in June (09) and his children Prince Michael, 12, Paris, 11, and Prince Michael II, seven, were visibly grief-stricken as they honoured their father at his televised memorial last month (Jul09).
But the singer's elder brother Jermaine insists they are "doing fine" under the guardianship of their grandmother Katherine, enjoying outings to the cinema and preparing for the coming school year.
He tells U.S. talk show host Larry King, "They're playing with my kids and they are coming back strong."
Jackson also refuted speculation his late brother wasn't the kids' biological dad, echoing his father Joe's previous observation that they resemble the King Of Pop: "People come forth and say things just to get attention, but those are definitely Michael's children. You can look at the kids and tell that they are Michael's kids."
And when asked if the youngsters would ever consider careers in show business, the 54 year old said "there's a great possibility".
He added, "They love film and they love movies and they know a lot about animation."
JACKSON 'OFFERED DOCTOR $800,000 FOR DRUGS'
MICHAEL JACKSON was so desperate to get hold of prescription drugs in the run up to his 50-date concert tour he allegedly offered a doctor $800,000 (£500,000) to help him.
The late King of Pop, who died of a cardiac arrest in June (09), had a lethal amount of powerful anaesthetic Propofol in his system when he died, according to leaked autopsy results.
Details about Jackson's cause of death have yet to be officially released, but numerous reports suggest the singer died after taking a dangerously high dose of the surgical painkiller.
Jackson, who was due to play at London's O2 Arena, allegedly begged British medic, Dr Susan Etok, to get hold of a list of drugs, including powerful painkillers Diprivan (Propofol) and Demerol, in the U.K. because he "couldn't trust" doctors in America.
She tells Britain's Sunday Mirror newspaper, "He kept saying, 'Are you going to do it for me, you are going to do it for me, aren't you?' He was desperate, like a child begging his mum for sweets. Then he said, 'I don't care what it takes, I don't care how much money it takes - if it costs half a million, that's fine.'
"Then he said there were medications he took in the States that he needed. He said the names but they didn't mean much to me. The one name I recognised was Diprivan. I knew it was something to do with anaesthetics and thought that seemed strange. But Michael kept saying, 'They're just routine'."
Erok emailed Jackson to tell him that she couldn't help him - he replied five days later saying he would find an alternative way of getting hold of the medication.
She adds, "He told me not to worry - he would get someone else to help out."
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Authorities On Hunt For Propofol with Murray
aw enforcement was on the hunt for evidence of Propofol when they searched Dr. Conrad Murray's home and office in Las Vegas.
According to the search warrant, authorities were looking for, among other things, "records, shipping orders, distribution lists, use records relating to the purchase, transfer, receiving, ordering, delivery and storage of PROPOFOL."
Interestingly, in the Houston raid, authorities wanted a Rolodex card with FedEx information.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Jackson Death Probe Zeroes In on Source of Drugs
The investigative team heading the probe into Michael Jackson’s death conducted interviews with physicians and personnel at medical facilities in Las Vegas on Monday, a law enforcement source close to the investigation .
Lead investigators from the Los Angeles Police Department’s Robbery and Homicide Division, along with several field agents from the Los Angeles Drug Enforcement Administration office, took a day trip to Las Vegas to follow up on leads indicating that at least one drug believed to have contributed to Jackson’s sudden death on June 25 originated in Las Vegas.
what drug was the focus of the probe, who was questioned or which medical practices were visited, but Jackson’s personal physician Conrad Murray runs a cardiology practice in Las Vegas.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Joe Jackson: There are no plans for Michael Jackson's children to become the 'Jackson 3'
Joe Jackson has no plans to take Michael Jackson's grieving kids on the road as the "Jackson 3," the family patriarch vowed Monday.
"I'm not encouraging them to do nothing. They have to be what they are, kids at the moment," he said on "Larry King Live," distancing himself from earlier statements that he saw star quality in the youngsters.
He called the "Jackson Three" rumor "a bunch of jive."
Jackson also denied ever hitting his late son, despite Michael's accusations to the contrary.
"I never abused my son," the former crane operator and boxer from Gary, Indiana, said. "Michael was never beaten."
In his first live interview since his son's sudden death of a suspected drug overdose, Jackson backed away from earlier comments to ABC that he wanted to help raise Prince Michael, 12, Paris, 11, and Blanket, 7, so they could "grow up to be strong Jacksons."
"I keep watching Paris…she wants to do something," he previously told ABC. "And Blanket, he can really dance."
Joe revealed he didn't know the locaton of Michael's body, said he hadn't seen any results from the family's private autopsy and repeated his claim that he suspected "foul play" in Michael's death.
He again pointed the finger at Dr. Conrad Murray, the personal physician who found his superstar son unconscious and with only a faint pulse in bed on June 25. Investigators later found prescription drugs and the surgery-strength sedative propofol in the King of Pop's house.
Murray's lawyer has said nothing the doctor gave Jackson "should have" caused his death.
"The doctor gave him something to make him rest and he don't wake up no more," Joe Jackson said on Larry King. "Something is wrong."
Speaking about his grandchildren, Jackson was quick to point out that he lives in Vegas while the kids are at home in Encino, Calif., with his wife Katherine, their temporary court-appointed guardian.
Joe Jackson's influence on the kids is an issue for Michael's ex-wife Debbie Rowe, who is considering a bid for custody, a source told the Daily News.
Rowe is the biological mother to the two eldest kids and wants to take an active roles in their lives, her friend and former attorney Iris Finsilver said Monday, also appearing on Larry King Live.
"She would like to have a relationship with her children," Finsilver said, citing recent conversations with Rowe. "I don't know if she wants everyday hands on custody with the kids."
A source earlier told the Daily News that Joe Jackson was willing to step aside if it would help Katherine's bid to gain permanent guardianship.
Michael Jackson movie in works
A Hollywood movie made using footage of Michael Jackson rehearsing for his planned series of comeback concerts could hit theaters by the end of this year, US media reports said Monday.
Daily Variety reported that Sony Pictures studio was close to agreeing a 50-million-dollar deal for worldwide rights to nearly 80 hours of footage showing pop icon Jackson rehearsing before his death.
The report said AEG Entertainment, the company which owns the material and had been behind Jackson's proposed series of concerts in London, had screened the footage to Hollywood studio executives last week.
Variety reported that Kenny Ortega, the choreographer for Jackson's new "This Is It" concerts and the director of hit film "High School Musical," was expected to direct the movie.
So far only a brief snippet of Jackson's concert rehearsals have been revealed to the public.
Footage released on July 2 showed Jackson practicing a song-and-dance routine at Los Angeles's Staples Center two days before his death, supporting accounts he had been in good health.
Associates of Jackson have described the 50-year-old pop star as being in good form, including at another rehearsal the day before his death.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Michael Jackson Doctor Declines to Chat with Cops
We've learned Dr. Conrad Murray canceled an interview with the LAPD.As we have already reported, the LAPD is treating Michael Jackson's death as a homicide. Detectives have their sights set on Murray, as the person who may have administered the drug Propofol, which we're told is the primary cause of Jackson's death.We're told the LAPD planned a third interview with Dr. Murray earlier in the week -- the doctor was interviewed the day Jackson died and again two days later. Reps from the L.A. County Coroner's office planned to attend the third interview, but we're told Dr. Murray's lawyer called and said the doctor would not be speaking to the cops at this time. And here's the best part. Our sources say the cops called the lawyer back and they were referred to the lawyer's lawyer who said Dr. Murray's lawyer would not be speaking to them!
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Jackson Sings About Escapism On Previously Unreleased Song
A clip of a previously unreleased Michael Jackson song has hit the net, and it feels eerie.
In the song "A Place With No Name," the late King of Pop sings about his desire to travel to a mysterious locale: "Take me to a place without no name."
It is not clear when the song was recorded or if it is referring to a heaven-like utopia or a remote getaway.
The 25-second snippet obtained by TMZ is an interpolation of America's song "A Horse With No Name" that reached Number 1 on The Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1972.
Years ago, America's manager reportedly approved Michael's "A Place With No Name."
Jim Morey, America's current manager who also represented Michael in the late '80s and early '90s, told TMZ that the band supported Michael's rendition. "The band was honored that Michael chose to do their song and they hope it becomes available for all Michael's fans to hear."
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Michael Jackson's final resting place a mystery
By law, the golden casket that presumably held Jackson's body should be exactly where his death certificate says it is: back at Forest Lawn Memorial Park Hollywood Hills cemetery, the site of a private family memorial service held before the Staples ceremony. Los Angeles County records show the cemetery as the temporary location, where it must stay until those records are officially updated.
But where Jackson's body will eventually be laid to rest remained a mystery, fed by the same level of rumor and speculation that surrounded much of his life. Will he be interred at Forest Lawn? Is Neverland Ranch still a possibility?
What if he's not buried at all, but cremated? The family isn't talking — and may not even have decided yet.
The casket was first seen leaving the mortuary at Forest Lawn, where it got into a hearse for the 10-mile trip to the Staples Center. But before the service even started, the hearse was seen leaving the facility — empty — and wasn't spotted again.
But to keep in good standing with the law, the casket would have needed to return to Forest Lawn at some point, presumably after the crowds went home and the television cameras were long gone.
Robert J. Biggins, a former president of the National Funeral Directors Association, said Jackson's body is likely in his casket which he identified it as a custom-made, top-of-the-line coffin made by the Indiana-based Batesville Casket Company that is called a "Promethean." The casket is probably in a temporary holding area — perhaps a mausoleum — pending a final location, he said.
"This happened so quickly that it's something that has to have an awful lot of thoughtful consideration," said Biggins, who is the owner of Magoun-Biggins Funeral home in Rockland, Mass. "This is bigger than your average burial."
Conjecture about Jackson's final resting place has been as fraught as the rumors about where his memorial service would be held in the days before the Staples Center was announced. His 5-page will, signed in 2002, does not include final wishes for his body.
Forest Lawn is one likely possibility. If Jackson is buried there, he would join other celebrities such as Liberace, Gene Autry, Bette Davis and Andy Gibb. Recently deceased actor David Carradine and "Tonight Show" sidekick Ed McMahon also are buried there.
The Jackson family seems divided over whether the body should go to Neverland, which would surely turn the Santa Barbara County ranch into a West-coast Graceland. But Jackson abandoned the 2,500-acre estate after going into seclusion following his acquittal on child molestation charges in 2005, and many of the things that made it unique — the merry-go-round, Ferris wheel and zoo — are gone.
Billionaire Thomas Barrack, who owns Neverland in a joint venture with Jackson, has expressed an openness to the idea of having the singer's body buried at the ranch. The family would need to get permission from local land-use officials to bury Jackson on private property, then submit an application and paperwork with the state Cemetery and Funeral Bureau.
The state application would then need to be approved by the funeral board, a process that could take anywhere from seven to 30 days.
Beyond that, accessibility remains an issue at Neverland. A single two-lane highway leads to the property about 130 miles north of Los Angeles, and infrastructure changes would likely be necessary to accommodate the additional traffic.
Another possibility is cremation. State law requires that the person who has control of the cremated remains obtain written permission of the property owner or governing agency to scatter on the property.
Funeral experts said the delay in Jackson's funeral may be due to the fact that such celebrity deaths create logistical, security and legal headaches.
"One of the issues you're going to run into with any high-profile name, whether it be a former president of the United States or somebody of Michael Jackson's stature, is what does the cemetery — if it's to be a burial — do to establish security, to protect the remains, to protect the privacy of the family during the service, to protect remains afterward and what kind of built-in overhead comes with it," said Paul Elvig, former president of the International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association.
Experts said even a two-week delay between death and funeral is not unusual. The body of singer James Brown was kept in a sealed gold casket inside his South Carolina home for more than two months before being interred in 2007 at the home of one of his daughters.
"You're probably talking more about an impatient public and an impatient press wanting to know what's going to happen and that impatience needs to be understood," Elvig said. "If a body's been properly prepared by an embalmer, it can be held for a considerable period of time with minor touchups to it."
Biggins said he is even encouraged by the delay.
"I think the fact that there's this pause is a wonderful thing because it's being given thoughtful consideration," he said, "to make sure this is done right and this is done in a way that honors his legacy."
Source : AP
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Michael Jackson Memorial Fit For A King
Family, friends, and fans memorialized Michael Jackson in a two-hour ceremony held at the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles, officially settling any debate over whether he was truly the King of Pop. Despite the star-studded roster of speakers such as sister Janet, Mariah Carey, Usher, Stevie Wonder, John Mayer, Jennifer Hudson, Magic Johnson, Brooke Shields, Smokey Robinson, Queen Latifah, and Kobe Bryant, the tribute never came off as artificial. Instead, it was an often-touchingly sincere celebration of life.
Viewers were drawn with emotion when Jermaine Jackson took to the stage to perform his brother's favorite song, "Smile." The elder Jackson wept as he struggled through the song originally recorded by Charlie Chaplin.
When Stevie Wonder sang "They Won't Go When I Go," he amended part of the lyric in Michael's honor. "Michael, they won't go where you've gone," Stevie sang.
Usher was one of the most visibly moved performers as he delivered a chilling rendition of Michael's "Gone Too Soon." Usher frequently sang directly to Michael's mother, Katherine Jackson, and knelt before her when he finished.
One of the most surprisingly sincere tributes of the morning was John Mayer's acoustic interpretation of Michael's "Human Nature." Mayer offered minimalistic vocals, mainly offering the song as a touching instrumental.
The ceremony closed with two even more powerful gestures. Lionel Richie kicked off his and Michael's pleas for global peace, "We Are the World" and "Heal the World," joined by background singers and dancers from Michael's comeback tour "This Is It" that was scheduled to begin next week. Michael's middle child, daughter Paris, 11, accompanied her aunts and uncles on stage to convey her love for her late father.
Motown founder Berry Gordy, The Reverend Al Sharpton, Pastor Luscious Smith, and Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. children Martin Luther King III and Bernice King were among those who offered uplifting speeches about Michael's legacy.
Millions Remember Michael Jackson Online
While entertainment luminaries and thousands of fans gathered today at Los Angeles' Staples Center to remember Michael Jackson, millions more converged online to watch the memorial service live and post comments on Facebook and Twitter.
On Twitter, Jackson's memory dominated the conversation. According to social media site Mashable, during the service, tweets related to Jackson occupied all 10 slots on the list of trending Twitter topics. "MJ Memorial" and #michaeljackson were two of the most tweeted terms, but users also discussed the performers and presenters at the service.
The partnerships with Ustream and CBS, viewers could watch the video of the event while tweeting. But, as Twitter has done in the past, it shut down a few times during the Webcast, giving users a page with the notorious "fail whale."
Monday, July 6, 2009
Los Angeles Prepares for Michael Jackson Memorial
In the same Los Angeles arena where he rehearsed for the ill-fated "This Is It" tour, Michael Jackson will be remembered on Tuesday by a bevy of luminaries paying their final homage to the globally celebrated star. Jennifer Hudson, Mariah Carey, John Mayer, Usher, Lionel Richie, Smokey Robinson and Stevie Wonder have all been announced as performers who will help bid Jackson farewell at L.A.'s Staples Center in a ceremony that will be broadcast live on all major networks and many cable channels as well as streamed live on websites from Myspace to MTV.com. Brooke Shields, Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant, Martin Luther King III and the Rev. Al Sharpton are also expected to take part.
Some family members and close friends have been ambivalent about the event. After originally being scheduled to appear at the Staples memorial, Deborah Rowe, the mother of two of Jackson's children, said in a statement that she had changed her mind and would be absent since she felt her appearance would be "an unnecessary distraction." Another Jackson fixture — long-time friend Dame Elizabeth Taylor — took to her Twitter page on Monday to announce a similar sentiment. "I cannot be part of the public whoopla," Taylor said. "I just don't believe Michael would want me to share my grief with millions of others. How I feel is between us. Not a public event." On Monday night, Jackson family members, including his sister Janet and close friends such as long-time hairstylist Karen Faye, attended a private viewing at the Forest Lawn Cemetery.
But over a 1.5 million regular folks from around the world were more than happy to join in, entering a random drawing for a seat at the memorial. On Sunday, 8,750 of them received word that they had defied the odds and had won two tickets. No tickets went on sale for the event. Ticket holders began arriving at Dodgers Stadium at 6 a.m. on Monday to pick up their tickets in a daylong procedure which saw more than 600 cars were arriving each hour for credentials. To ensure that only the winners would attend the show, concert officials literally placed a wristband on people's arms upon arrival. "It's a deterrent against scalping," said one official.
The online auction site Ebay, a popular venue for people to sell off coveted tickets like these to the highest bidder, also announced it would remove any postings concerning Michael Jackson memorial tickets in an effort to combat scalpers. On the site Monday night, the only items available under "Michael Jackson Memorial" were t-shirts. Still, organizers admitted they couldn't completely stop the blatant profiteering. "For those who take advantage of this," promoter AEG's CEO TIm Leiweke said last week, "Shame on you." (See pictures of Jackson's Neverland Ranch.)
That doesn't mean the ticketless crowds won't try to soak up the atmosphere of Jackson's big send off. Los Angeles officials braced for an onslaught of visitors to the Staples Center vicinity and other locations. Streets surrounding the area were closed off entirely at midnight on Monday, and city officials advised those without a ticket to stay at home. "There will not be anything to see," LA's acting mayor Jan Perry told TIME. "This is a private event on private property."
While Perry works the command center to ensure what she hopes will be a "peaceful, well-run, seamless operation," she and her colleagues will also have to come up with an answer to how the cash-strapped City of Los Angeles will eventually foot the event's large public bill. The council-woman would not hazard a guess of what the memorial would cost the city, but did use the last month's Laker Pride parade as a yardstick, which was estimated to run a tab of around $2 million. Other estimates listed the Jackson total price-tag at $2.5 million.