Source: WENN

While the Jackson family often make themselves out to be public spectacles and their behavior sometimes appears out of the norm, I can’t help but to sometimes feel bad about the way that the public tends to scrutinize their familial dealings. The latest news bit to make headlines about the late Michael Jackson’s family have been linked to rumors that Michael’s older sister La Toya is seeking to exploit her niece and nephews by thrusting them into the spotlight.

A couple of days ago, the New York Post reported that La Toya was shopping around a reality show starring the Jackson children. The article, which referred to Jackson as a “gold digging diva,” alleged that she somehow coerced the children into signing a contract with her talent agency, Ja-Tail Entertainment so that she would be entitled to a 15% cut of all of their earnings, by showering them with cookies, ice cream and quality time.

According to News One, the “Celebrity Apprentice” star recently retaliated by issuing a statement, slamming the Post for publishing such condemning allegations and claiming that the report was filled with a bunch of lies. The statement issued by publicist, Juliette Harris reads:

“The story in The NY Post is completely and unequivocally false. Neither La Toya nor her company represent any of MJ’s children in any legal capacity nor has she received any commissions or payment as a result of their individual ventures. As a loving Aunt, when the children ask for help or advice she supports them 100%, and will continue to do so.

Furthermore, there is no shopping of a reality show for the children. Paris did her movie deal over a year ago directly with the production company and La Toya had nothing to do with it. Over the past year, Prince has continuously asked his Aunt for her help in starting his career because of the infrastructure she has. When she asked her nephew what he wanted for his birthday he replied, ‘He just wanted to work,’ It was at the time that she diligently started to assist him with his career and that’s when ‘Entertainment Tonight’ was booked and then ‘90210.’

La Toya is currently consulting with her attorneys on how to proceed against these false and derogatory statements made by The NY Post and other participating publications.”

In other La Toya Jackson news, the 56-year-old will also be starring in a new upcoming reality series on the Oprah Winfey Network. The show is entitled “Life with La Toya” and is scheduled to debut Saturday, April 13th. Plucked from a recently distributed press release, the show’s description reads:

” ‘Life With La Toya’ takes viewers inside the outrageous world of La Toya Jackson—the wild card of one of showbiz’s most famous families—as she tackles love, career and maybe even parenthood, all on her own unpredictable terms.  The new reality series gets up close and personal as La Toya hunts for a new house, builds new business ventures, contemplates starting a family and perhaps the biggest of all — jumps into the dating pool for the first time, ever.  On board for her new adventures are La Toya’s devoted business partner Jeffré, her legendary mom and dad, a pair of meddlesome matchmakers, a magician, a lovelorn lifeguard and La Toya’s lifelong best gal-pal Kathy Hilton (yes, Paris’ mom).  La Toya also opens up about her tumultuous past darkened by an abusive ex-husband, the death of her brother and family feuds.”

Thoughts?

Paris, Prince, LaToya, and Blanket Jackson at a Mr. Pink Ginseng launch party in October. Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP

Tito “TJ” Jackson has been granted co-guardianship of Michael Jackson’s three kids and according to TMZ he is now in need of more money.

TJ has been taking care of the kids since July without any financial assistance from Michael Jackson’s estate, which has been estimated at somewhere in the $1 billion range. According to the story, he has devoted over 40 hours per week (not sure how you measure that) to taking care of his niece and nephews Paris, Prince, and Blanket.

The executors are on his side, and say that it’s been difficult for him for care for the three kids in addition to his own family, which consists of his own three kids.

The executors are asking the judge to grant TJ $9,000 per month, retroactive to July. They mention that it is possible that without compensation he may not be able to continue his support for the children.

Seems like this judge needs to get Tito some money since the other co-guardian, MJ’s mom Katherine Jackson, is getting much older. It’s important for the kids to have someone that can look after them for years to come.

WENN.com

It has been a rocky road for some of Hollywood’s most notable names when it comes to their children. Custody battles aren’t exactly a rarity in Hollywood, but it it’s not often that judges rule in favor of men and award them custody of their children while offering their ex-wives visitation and sometimes no rights at all. That’s the situation all of these celebrity women found themselves in as they had to relinquishment their position as sole guardian and try their best to co-parent from afar.

Source: WENN

The Jackson family has been dealt yet another trial this week as Joe Jackson, the patriarch of the Jackson family, has suffered a stroke.

A source close to the family told CNN that the stroke occurred Thursday morning and that he’s currently being treated in a Las Vegas hospital.

Jackson, 83,”is in very good spirits” and expects to be sent home from the hospital Friday, said the source, who asked not to be identified.

The “mild” stroke is similar to two others he suffered in the past five years, another source close to Jackson said.

Katherine, the matriarch of the Jackson clan who is still married to Joe but lives separately from him, was reportedly on her way to visit him in the hospital yesterday. Joe maintains a permanent residence in Vegas while Katherine resides in Los Angeles.

Though yesterday Fox reported that Joe was in “serious” condition following his stroke, all other accounts seem to suggest he’s on the mend. Michael Jackson’s one-time attorney, Brian Oxman, told Reuters:

“He was doing well and says he’s feeling OK.

“He was talking fine,” Oxman added. “He sounded excellent to me.”

Hope he gets better soon.

Source: AskMen.com

As most people know, Diana Ross is the godmother of Michael Jackson’s kids. In his Will, he named her as their guardian should anything happen to his mother, Katherine Jackson.

Well after the whole “Katherine Jackson is missing” public Jackson family fiasco that lasted for nearly two days, it’s clear that the 82-year-old matriarch’s death could mean utter chaos for MJ’s kids.

Can the kids count on their godmother to take custody of them if something happens to their grandmother and their temporary guardian T.J.?

Reports say yes…

During a visit to the Calabasas home last week, Diana Ross, made it clear she would step in if necessary, and made Paris promise to call her “no matter what.”

“Yes, Miss Ross. I will,” Paris replied, according to the source.

The diva left a clear message to the family. “Mess with Michael’s kids, and you’re messing with her,” the source said.
During the powwow, Ross held Katherine Jackson’s hand, looked into her eyes and asked her if the family had made it too difficult for the grandma to handle guardianship.

Katherine told Ross she could handle it, and the two embraced.

…and other reports say no.

While Ross is quite fond of Jackson’s children, friends say she feels strongly that they belong with his immediate family.

“Diana has no intention of taking those kids,” said a source close to Ross. “She has her own life on the East Coast and wouldn’t want to uproot them to come live there. That wouldn’t be fair to anyone, particularly those kids.”

Both reports agreed that 68-year-old legend was surprised about the Will and Michael’s wishes that she take care of the children in the event of his mother’s death. Others are saying that she has to sign off on the proposed joint custody agreement between Katherine and T.J.

What is Diana herself saying regarding the custody issues and whether or not she’ll assume custody if the need arises?

 ”All interests are best served if it remains private.”

Well, we don’t disagree with that sentiment, but it’s the Jackson’s; therefore, nothing is private. They certainly see to that.

What do you think about Diana Ross possibly assuming custody of MJ’s kids?

Follow Alissa on Twitter @AlissaInPink

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Source: jacksonsource.tumblr.com

Enough is enough, Jermaine Jackson has said, literally, of the drama going on with his family. In a long letter posted to Twitter, the son who has been been banned from Katherine Jackson’s home over he and his siblings’ behavior, has decided to follow in the footsteps of his brother Tito and remove his signature from the letter sent to the executor’s of Michael Jackson’s will July 17th accusing them of incorrectly handling their responsibility. In the letter he wrote:

Yesterday, I had a phone call with my son Jaafar that broke my heart. He asked: “Is it true that we cannot visit grandmother’s house as a family anymore?” Enough has become enough… After much soul-searching, it is clearly time for us to live by Michael’s words about love not war. In this spirit, I offer this statement by way of extending an olive-branch. Accordingly, I rescind my signature from the letter which was sent to the Estate, and which should never have gone public.   I still hold deep reservations about many issues involving the Estate, and I will continue to bring scrutiny and a resolute voice wherever we have cause for concern. But the way to address such matters is through the proper channels and via a private dialogue, not public conflict.

Whatever the tabloid and on-line misrepresentations have led people to believe, my primary concern has only ever been rooted in the welfare of our mother in the environment where she lives. No-one on the outside has a clue about the stresses and pressures she has been under long before recent events and I, like everyone in the family, adore the ground she walks on. We are also still raw from the loss of Michael three years ago. The ever-present grief has haunted me with questions about whether we stepped off him too much or whether we did enough to help when a corporate world surrounded him. So when it comes to the well-being of loved ones, and especially our mother, we are perhaps understandably and unapologetically over-protective.

As attorney Perry Sanders has since confirmed, a health check detected high blood pressure with Mother. Rest was the sole reason she went to Arizona. Prince even carried her bags down the stairs and urged her to rest-up, because we all come from the same caring place. When she was away, and with the children in the responsible care of Tito’s son TJ, there was never a malicious attempt to “block” the kids from talking with her. We simply worried that a call home would first entail, or lead to, conversations with individuals we are in dispute with and that would, therefore, increase pressure on Mother — and pressure was what a doctor said she didn’t need. This was why we went to the house in Calabasas to talk directly with the kids and merely discuss arrangements for them to meet with their grandmother. We were denied that access by security — and it was clear that mutual suspicions had allowed events to spiral out of control. I regret that events were ever allowed to reach such a stage. I regret any distress caused to Prince, Paris and Blanket. That was never, ever the intention of myself, Janet, Rebbie or Randy.

Moving forward, the most effective way to best serve Mother’s welfare, and that of Michael’s children, is to start a collective dialogue, in private. Mistakes have been made and irrational things have been said on both sides in a highly-charged emotional environment. It is time for us all to draw a line in the sand and move towards peace, co-operation, love and healing. I truly hope that we can find it in our hearts to do so. Because above and beyond anything else, what matters…is family.

Better to come to your senses late as opposed to never. TMZ notes that Janet, Rebbie, and Randy’s names still remain on the letter. So far it’s not clear whether they’ll eventually back down too or if they are going to ride this thing to the wheels fall all the way off. Either way, hopefully they can do whatever they’re going to do privately.

Brande Victorian is the news and operations editor for madamenoire.com. Follow her on twitter @Be_Vic.

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Source: NY Daily News

It’s hard to say just how much validity there is to these stories, but RadarOnline has been nabbing quite a few celebrity exclusives lately and considering how outlandish the entire Jackson situation has grown, these new developments certainly aren’t outside the realm of possibility.

The first allegation the site is throwing out might explain why Randy is the brains behind the sudden attack on Michael Jackson’s will. A source has told RadarOnline that Randy owes half a million dollars in back child support for the two children he has with Alejandra Genevieve Oaziaza—the same woman his brother Jermaine also has children with. Yeah. Though $500,000 sounds like a crazy amount of money, which it is, considering these kids are 20 and 22, one can deduce Randy probably never paid support a day in his life. If you divide $500,000 by 18 years and two kids, that only comes out to $1,100 a month per child. If this story is true, Randy was foolin’—and apparently still is. Katherine Jackson is said to be furious with her son and how his inquiry into Michael’s will three years after his death has become such a public spectacle. If he’s determined to get this $500K monkey off his back though, I’m sure the bad press is nothing to him.

In other Jackson news, RadarOnline also says Diana Ross will be signing a new custody agreement “in which Michael Jackson’s three children, Prince, Paris, and Blanket will have two guardians, their grandmother Katherine Jackson and T.J. Jackson, son of Tito.” As you all know, Diana Ross was named next in line to take care of Michael’s children should his mother become incapable of doing so. A source shared:

“Diana has no qualms whatsoever about the new custody agreement, she only wants what is best for the children. Diana knows that the children are old enough to decide who they want to live with and she defers to what they want. While Diana hasn’t been a big part of their lives because she lives on the East Coast, she is very fond of them.”

Diana is clearly not trying to get involved in that foolishness. Looks like T.J. it is for guardianship. Who knows whether this new arrangement will actually curb the in-fighting, but as for Janet Jackson’s role in the rumored altercations, her lawyer,  Blair G. Brown, wants everyone to know the reports about her actions are not true. Blair told The Insider:

“Ms. Jackson did not slap Paris, and did not call her a ‘spoiled little b***h’ or a ‘b***h.’” The attorney also added that “false statements are highly damaging to Ms. Jackson’s reputation and have caused her significant harm.”

It’s sort of hard to deny the interaction caught on video but with no audio or proof of a slap, it’s hard to know whether the attorney is doing damage control or really setting the record straight. What’s your take on that statement and these other developments?

Brande Victorian is the news and operations editor for madamenoire.com. Follow her on twitter @Be_Vic.

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Source: mymoodismusic.com

You know the Jackson shenanigans didn’t go away that quickly. After the daily nonsense that was going on last week, Tito’s son T.J. and the mother of the clan, Katherine, have decided to put an end to the foolishness or at least curb it a bit. T.J.’s lawyer Charles Shultz told E! News that at the advisement of Michael Jackson’s estate lawyers a letter has been given to security outlining who should and should not be allowed on the Calabasas compound and that “that letter was in compliance with Judge [Mitchell] Beckloff’s order and is not arbitrary.” He also added, ”As for the family members who are on that list, they were either at the house on Monday, July 23, 2012, or in some way participated in the events surrounding that date.”

Shultz may not have wanted to name names, but it’s not hard to figure out who he’s referring to. Video popped up on the Internet last week showing Janet, Randy, and Jermaine on the Jackson premises in LA having a bit of an altercation with Paris and supposedly attempting to take her, Prince, and Blanket out of the home. Besides, X17 has obtained a copy of the official letter, which reads:

“Given the circumstances of the last two weeks, and in order to protect the children and Mrs. Jackson, the Executors believe that it would not be appropriate to allow the following individuals to enter the residence or its grounds and we instruct the security to preclude the following from entering the residence or the grounds: Randy Jackson and any of his children, Janet Jackson, Rebbie Jackson and any of her children, Jermaine Jackson, his wife and any of his children, Janice Smith, or anyone else who was involved in the recent events that led to Mrs. Jackson’s separation from and inability to communicate with Michael’s children, or any agents or representatives of any of these individuals.

There will be no other security or drivers allowed on the property except those employed by the Estate of Michael Jackson. Joe Jackson is precluded from entering the property. Howard Mann who is in litigation against the Estate and is working with the Jackson siblings that wrote the “letter” should also not be allowed on the premises.”

Sources have told E! News money is what motivated Randy, Jermaine, Janet and sister Rebbie Jackson to separate Katherine from her grandchildren in an “attempt to modify custody and effectively circumvent Michael’s will, which left his estate to his children and provided an ample allowance to their guardian.” Since Michael’s death in 2009, Katherine has reportedly been receiving a monthly allowance of $86,000 as guardian of Prince, Paris and Blanket and apparently they wanted to get their hands on some of that cash. For now, those funds are going to T.J who has assumed custody of the three children.

T.J. better watch his back though. If Katherine’s own children would turn against her and ship her out of town, it could be even worse for him. I know people do strange things for money but attempting to kidnap children sounds like a plot from a bootleg Lifetime movie. A source told E! News Friday that Katherine would be filing for a shared guardianship arrangement between herself and T.J. this week but I’m not sure the rest of the family will stop the antics until they see some dollars in their hands—if that really is the root of this whole family drama. On a positive note, T.J. supposedly isn’t in it for the money.

“It is not about taking [guardianship] away from Katherine,” a source told E! before Katherine returned from Arizona. “They are trying to protect the kids from the other family…T.J. didn’t step in to remove her. He stepped in because she is not there. He is extremely tight with his grandmother.”

Hopefully that bond is strong enough to battle the other half of he family.

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Source: Los Angeles Times

I know, those are two dramatically different situations going on, but that’s why this is considered random and crazy ish.

On the first note, in the midst of one of the biggest PR crises to hit Chick-Fil-A in recent years, the company’s vice president of public relations passed away suddenly from a heart attack this morning. Chick-fil-A released a statement saying:

“We are saddened to report the news to you that our dear friend Don Perry, vice president of public relations, passed away suddenly this morning.

“Don was a member of our Chick-fil-A family for nearly 29 years.  He was a well-respected and well-liked media executive in the Atlanta and University of Georgia communities, and we will all miss him.”

“Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”

Although many factors play a role in one’s risk for a heart attack, it’s hard to not see the stress of defending Chick-Fil-A’s stance against gay marriage—which he had been doing repeatedly lately—as a possible contributing factor here. It’s definitely sad to think his job might have killed him.

On another note, for some reason Conrad Murray thinks that now is a good time for him to have a jail cell chit chat with Katherine Jackson. The doctor widely regarded as the man who killed Michael Jackson told CNN that he heard Katherine is “having a difficult time” (ya think?) and he’d like her to come to his jailhouse for a talk.

“I’ve been told that she has a desire to speak with me before she departs this life,” he said. “Seeing that she is up in age and in questionable health, and the fact that she is the mother of a very dear departed friend, it would give me great pleasure to sit with her one on one and answer any questions she might have.

“I do not want Mrs. Jackson to suffer. She remains as dear to me as my own mother, unbeknownst to her.”

Interesting timing, Dr. Murray. I’m pretty sure Katherine has enough fooolishness going on in her life without adding the complication of meeting with her son’s convicted killer to boot. He’s going to have to hold off on that reunion and he actually ought to be happy to stay as far away from the seemingly wacko Jackos right now anyway.

What do you think about the death of Chick-Fil-A’s exec and Conrad Murray’s request?

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Source: UsWeeklyMagazine.com

After nine days of separation, Katherine Jackson is back home with her grandkids. Early this morning, Paris Jackson tweeted: “grandma’s here! #thankyougod. <33” and Marlon Jackson tweeted: “my mom is home she look and sound great. ”

“Grandma” returned home just hours after Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff named her grandson Tito Joe (TJ) Jackson as the temporary guardian over Michael Jackson’s kids. That ruling gave the 34-year-old the ability to control the California home where the children live and to take on other supervision duties.

Michael’s Will named Diana Ross as a backup guardian if Katherine Jackson were unable to serve, but she reportedly supports the arrangement naming T.J. temporary guardian.

When the judge granted temporary guardianship, he noted that TJ Jackson would have to petition to become the permanent guardian within 48 hours and added that such a petition might not be heard if Katherine Jackson re-emerges.

And, as if on cue, the 82-year-old matriarch re-emerged.

Last night, Katherine Jackson spoke out on television for the first time in a week.

The Associated Press reports:

Katherine Jackson told ABC News that the court ruling was “based on a bunch of lies.”

“I am devastated that while I’ve been away, that my children, my grandchildren, have been taken away from me, and I’m coming home to see about that, also,” she said reading from a prepared statement.

She denied the suggestion made in court and in court filings to support TJ Jackson’s appointment that she was being held against her will.

“I am here today to let everybody know that I am fine and I am here with my children, and my children would never do a thing to me like that, holding me against my will,” she said while her children Randy, Janet and Rebbie were seated next to her. “It’s very stupid for people to think that.”

Contrary to that prepared statement, Prince Jackson, MJ’s oldest son took to Twitter (of course) to tell his side of the story.

I would first like to start off this tweet by thanking the fans that have always stood by me and my family, my dad really appreciated your support and I still treasure it to this day. As I am sure everyone is well aware of the events that have been going on. I have been holding off on backing up my sister and her tweets avidly because I was waiting for the time to reveal my side. As long as I can remember my dad had repeatedly warned me of certain people and their ways. Although I am happy my grandma was returned, after speaking with her I realized how misguided and how badly she was lied to. I’m really angry and hurt. The following image is of a group chat I had started to several family members. This group text message I had started was replied to but they didn’t know that I could see the responses. For this whole time, they denied us contact to our grandmother. “If you continue with your lies I will continue with the truth”

-Michael Jackson Jr.

He also posted a screenshot of a group text message he sent to family members inquiring about his grandmother:

Source: Prince Jackson Twitter

It appears there is more to Janet’s text message, but he didn’t show that part.  CNN says the text exchange came three hours after Janet Jackson was seen on security camera video apparently attempting to take Paris Jackson’s cell phone away in the driveway of Katherine Jackson’s home.

According to the Associated Press:

The judge said there was no evidence that Katherine Jackson had done anything wrong but instead it appeared she was being prevented from fulfilling her role as guardian through the “intentional acts of third parties.” He didn’t elaborate but made the decision after reading court filings in which TJ Jackson expressed concern that Katherine Jackson was being prevented from returning.

He cited a Monday incident in which Janet, Randy and Jermaine Jackson arrived at the children’s home and told them they could speak with their grandmother but had to leave with them.

“This was odd and disturbing to me and (the children) and heightened our concern that our grandmother was being prohibited from returning home,” TJ Jackson wrote in a sworn statement. The incident turned into a confrontation between two male adults at the house and sheriff’s officials say it remains an ongoing battery investigation.

Beckloff (the judge) listened as attorneys described Katherine Jackson’s demeanor as unusual on phone calls placed to the children hours before the hearing.

TJ Jackson’s attorney Charles Shultz also revealed in court filings that the children were forced to miss school Wednesday because of concerns about their security.

Beckloff ruled the Jackson children could not leave California without court approval.

Katherine Jackson’s attorney Perry Sanders Jr. said after the hearing that he spoke with his client as she was driving back to Los Angeles from Tucson, Ariz., where she had been since July 15.

“She sounded absolutely fine, lucid and her normal self,” he said.

Sanders plans to ask the court to reinstate Katherine Jackson as guardian of the children when she is back in Los Angeles. He was looking forward to meeting with her in person on Thursday.

The public battle was revealed early Sunday after a relative reported Katherine Jackson missing, but she was later located safely with other family members in Arizona.

Jermaine Jackson tweeted that his mother was following doctor’s orders to cut off communications with MJ’s children, who range in age from 10 to 15. He didn’t provide further details.

Beckloff, who also oversees financial issues affecting Jackson’s estate, was initially reluctant to appoint a temporary guardian but changed his mind after hearing from several attorneys who expressed concern about the family’s problems.

He made the ruling after hearing TJ Jackson’s description of a “strange” conversation he had with Katherine Jackson on Tuesday evening.

“I’ve never heard my grandmother talk like that,” he said reluctantly. “In every way. The sound in her voice. The pauses.”

He said some of her speech sounded slurred and she used words that made him wonder if she was speaking in code.

Her son Marlon echoed those concerns on Twitter, complaining that siblings Janet, Randy and Jermaine were keeping her from him.

The children’s guardian ad litem, Margaret Lodise, said she spoke with the children and the two oldest, Prince and Paris, supported the appointment of a temporary guardian. Lodise did not ask the youngest son, 10-year-old Blanket, for his views.

Lodise is responsible for overseeing the children’s interests in the estate of their father.

Schultz said TJ Jackson didn’t want to replace Katherine Jackson as permanent guardian. Sanders said he would fight any move to have her permanently replaced.

He said he met with Randy and Janet Jackson in Tucson, Ariz., on Tuesday, but he was not allowed to see his client. He said he still hoped the recent events were a misunderstanding, but he described them as “chaos.”

Chaos is a pretty apt description of this entire situation, but MJ’s estate has made $475 million dollars since he died plus past and future earnings, so it’s not surprising Michael Jackson’s siblings would lose their minds in pursuit of that pay day. What makes this situation seem like more than money is Janet’s involvement. She clearly is making her own money, so what reason would she have to be going after Michael Jackson’s? It’s not clear why she would be party to orchestrating Katherine Jackson’s abandonment of her guardianship duties.

One thing that isn’t surprising at all is Prince Jackson saying that his father warned him about certain people. Michael Jackson was rarely associated with his family during his later years and he didn’t name them in his Will. He was pretty eccentric himself, but he was sane enough to know how his siblings could be. It’s just sad that he isn’t here to shield his children from this drama. Hopefully their guardian, whether TJ, Katherine or even Diana, can keep the kids from being irreversibly damaged in all of this mess.

On his birthday today, Joe Jackson must be very proud of the kids he raised.

What do you think of this latest development? Do you think TJ should be the permanent guardian? Do you think all of this is about the money?

Follow Alissa on Twitter @AlissaInPink

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