MJJC Exclusive: Q&A with Taj Jackson - Question submission closed

[ivy]

I can happily report that Taj Jackson graciously agreed to do a Q&A with MJJC. For the next week we will be collecting your questions then our staff will evaluate and select the best and most relevant questions.

As always remember to be respectful and ask important and relevant questions.

Any questions and posts that are attacks or disrespectful, hateful to Taj and/or Jackson family will not be considered and will be deleted by the moderators.

[MsCassieMollie]

Ooh Ivy thanks for this!

My question: Taj what do you think of your family putting Michael's three vulnerable children out into the spotlight every time something MJ's related happens? Do you ever think that maybe Michael wanted his children protected?

How come you or the rest of the family don't address the bullying on Twitter on Paris?

Bonus: We know MJ was an amazing person, what do you love most about him?

[missred07]

1 What's your favorite moment with MJ.
2 How is it like to work with MJ? Does MJ still being like an uncle when working or just pure professional?
3 Did he ever try to understand and listen to the reasons of MJ's fans not supporting the tribute concerts and the frustration of the fans? If he did, what did he think about all these? Does he think fans were just angry unreasonable?
4 What's his thought about the estate and did he still worked with the estate?

[Yana Jackson]

This should be interesting. Stay tuned for my questions.

[Coleen4MJ]

As a consultant to the Estate why doesn't Taj promote/attend estate-related stuff e.g. MJ Immortal Tour and CD?
Respect begets respect and Taj has not shown respect to MJ fans. Our respect for MJ does not automatically transfer to members of the Jackson family, they need to earn it through their deeds.

[Memefan]

I am beyond happy he accepted the request. I may be seeing things thru rose coloured glasses, but I really think this might be a milestone.

We might finally get our voices heard, and MAYBE, we can move forward in a more positive way.


My questions (Busy promoting MJ IMMORTAL CD, but more to be added in the coming days):

First thank him for agreeing to do this. I was hoping, but wasn't sure he'd accept.

Section 1: Michael Jackson's Children

1. When, in your opinion, did the breakdown between your family & MJ's fans occur?
2. How much of an influence do you have within the family? or on the other members?

For me personally, the breakdown occurred at the time of the Oprah interview. Right after you promised us on Twitter (August 29th 2010) to protect MJ's 3 kids, like he protected you and your brothers, we learn the kids had done an interview with Oprah. Little did we know this was the beginning of a very ugly chapter.

3. Why were Michael's kids listed in the Howard Mann contract? Were you ever consulted on this?
4. Why were the kids listed in the fake Heal The World charity? Were you made aware of his?
5. Why were the kids part of the "conditions" to the GLE tribute?
6. Why couldn't the tribute organizers wait until after the trial?
7. These are a list of ventures involving the minor children. How do you think MJ would have reacted to these?

- Singing conterfeited belts
- Oprah interview
- GMA interview for HTW fake charity
- Prince being sent to Germany, promotes Katherine's book
- In Gary Indiana for Michael's birthday, promote Joe's perfume, sign autographs
- Interview with Frauke Ludowig, a well- known german reporter who have made disparaging remarks about MJ AND the children in the past
- Prince endorsing J5 collection thriller / Beat it jackets
- Prince giving interview to CNN to get publicity for J5 collection
- kids included in contract for Global Live Events Wales tribute concert
- promote another tribute concert on Japanese TV

8.Are the adults aware of the ongoing cyberbullying Paris & Prince have been subjected to? (Unsavory characters have tweeted them the autopsy picture, made crude jokes, curse and ridicule the children).
9.Are there concrete and serious steps being taken to protect the children against cyber bullies?
9.a Are you aware that tabloids sites like TMZ, have been not only monitoring her twitter account, but also written stories directly lifted from her account?
9.b Has she been explain the advantages of a private twitter account vs. a public one?
10. What is the single most important advice MJ had given you or your brothers, and you would like to share with his own kids?

Section 2: The Cascio Controversy

11. Would you swear on the thing that you hold most sacred, that the lead vocals on the Cascio tracks are 100% FAKE?
12. Why did you wait until Sony had decided on the track listings before raising the issue?
13. Why did you feel you had to involve the public by bringing the fight on twitter?
14. Do you take some responsibility for the division this has created within the fan community? What long term impact do you think tho division will have on MJ's legacy? and Jacksons' future projects?
15. Do you reckon, some will FOREVER question the veracity of every new projects?
16. Do you understand the impact this had, will have on MJ's legacy
17. What are you willing to do to bridge the gap, between the family & fans?
18. What can fans do to meet you half way?
19. Did you review Sony/Estate's vocal analysis ? Your take on the results?
20. Did you & your family who believe the vocals are fake conduct YOUR OWN INDEPENDENT vocal testing? What were the results? Why weren't they shared with the public, the same way Sony/Estate shared theirs?
21. What is the single most important fact-based argument supporting your idea that the vocals aren't MJ's?
22. Do you understand the huge impact the controversy has had on some fans' view of you and your family, regarding MJ's legacy?



Section 3: GLE/ JA-TAIL and the Tribute

23. Do you feel, in your heart of hearts, that THIS GLE/JA-TAIL TRIBUTE, was worthy of MJ? Do you really believe the line up was the best for the greatest entertainer ?
24. Were fans' concerns ever taken seriously? (add reference to the phone conference, dismissive answers)
25. Besides Latoya and her JA-TAIL company, who else in the family were the mastermind behind the tribute?
26. Why do think the organizers felt the need to bypass the estate and its rights?
27. The way MJ setup his estate, similar to Elvis Presley's, is so his permanent beneficiaries (the 3 children) will take over the estate & call the shots. The estate is the children's. According to MJ's will, the executors are hired to grow & make the best decision to make it flourish until the children take over at the age MJ had chosen. When family, ex-employees, friends misappropriate & misuse his assets, they not only infringing on estate rights, they are taking money from the estate and by extension, the beneficiaries.
Do you think those who conduct these side deals are stealing from your cousins? Your Grandmother? Children charities?
28. Was the $100,000 trust fund, a fee for the children appearing at the GLE/JA-TAIL tribute? Why do you think the organizers felt the need to pay $33,333.33 to multimillionaire children? Were the other Jackson kids taking part in the GLE/JA-TAIL tribute also paid an appearance fee? Did the charities receive their promised donation?
29. We now learn, GLE has filed for bankruptcy on October 8th, THE NIGHT OF THE TRIBUTE. What steps will you & your family take, to make sure GLE/JA-TAIL respect their commitments to the workers?
30. Looking back, was it a good idea to go ahead with the tribute during the trial? What, if any, positive outcome resulted from it?
30a.Do you understand why many fans saw the "tribute" as a money grab AND NOT a fitting tribute to the world's greatest entertainer?
30b. What has GLE/JA-TAIL's tribute failure taught you?


Section 4: The Michael Jackson Estate

31. Have the children been told NOT to support their estate? I find it peculiar, that they openly support other artists' and Jacksons's / Obee's ventures, but avoid commenting on their own father's? Seeing how they are vocal of how proud they are of their dad's accomplishment, it raises a lot of questions. Of course, we believe the children are innocent and want nothing but the best for their father's legacy. It's obvious to all who have heard them talk about their father.
32. Do the oldest two know and understand the estate is theirs? Their dad's legacy? His gift to them?
33. Is the estate in communication with the kids? For example, a copy of each new product is personally sent to the children (Movie, CD, video game etc.)
34. You were a consultant to the estate until the Cascio debacle, what has been your proudest contribution to the group?
35. What has been the executors' most challenging tasks so far?
36. In your opinion, What has been their best realization/decision? What has been their worst? And why?
37. Where do you see the Michael Jackson Estate in 8 years? in 25 years?
38. If you were an executor, After Cirque & Bad re-release, what would be the next big project to look out for?
39. Are the Jacksons unhappy with the will?
40. a few times, Latoya has lied, stating her mother & the kids haven't received money from the estate, when court documents have shown millions have been spent to care for the beneficiaries. These flagrant lies are the reasons many fans openly question everything your family. The thinking is, if they can easily lie about something that can quickly & easily be proven wrong, what else are they lying about. Can you confirm that the estate, according to probate AND Michael Jackson's final will, has been taking carer of your grandma & the children, since his passing?
41. Since you were a consultant to the estate, you must not believe the will is fake. But do you know why some (Randy, Latoya, Jermaine) in your family would think the will is fake, but never went to court to legally challenge it? Have you ever discuss the issue with your family? What are their thinking, and how did they come up with the belief that the 2002 will wasn't signed by MJ?
42. Have you seen the 1997 will? Aside from Paris' & Blanket's names, what are the differences to the 2002 will?
43. is there any resentment of the fact, MJ left his family off the will? If not, how do you explain the animosity towards the estate?
44. Can you promise us the children will never be used / pitted against their father's wishes? 45. Every new venture bring forth to capitalize on MJ's fame, arts, notoriety, not sanctioned by the MJ estate, is by definition, undermining MJ's wishes and taking money from his rightful heirs. Do you understand how it is viewed from the outside, that the children are being asked to endorse products, that go directly against MJ's wishes in establishing an estate for them?
46.What do you think of the overall work the executors have done so far?
47. At some point, the children will have to take over the estate administration, how do you see them in that role?
48. With the music industry in a very poor shape, What do you think is the estate's single ghost valuable asset? How do you think it should be used?
49. Have you seen the Cirque du Soleil Immortal show? Your thoughts?
50. Recently, news leaked of an impending MJ bio movie, which actor or actors would you like to see play the lead role?


Section 5: Katherine Jackson / Jackson Family

51. Are people, outside of the family, taking advantage of your grandmother?
52. Without naming names, do you believe some (cousins, nephews, uncles, aunts, etc) within your own family, have taken advantage of you grandmother by cajoling her into signing questionable deals?
52a. I believe Katherine Jackson is used as a front because fans love her & respect MJ's deep affection for her. But many fans have woken up to the game being played, and the GLE revolt has shown that. Is it now clear to the family, that most fans will not blindly support a questionable venture, just because Katherine Jackson or MJ's kids are used as the selling point?
53. is Mrs Jackson aware of Marc Schaffel's past involvement in gay porno flick? Howard Mann ventures in the porn industry (add link to his wrestling woman)
54. Who is assisting & guiding her on her many business dealings?
55. Have you ever discussed with her the rationale behind the Oprah interview? Putting minor children on the board of a fraudulent charity?
56. Many believe, MJ wasn't close to his family for many years before he passed. Some have put the timeline as far back as Off the wall. Janet has confirmed this in her interviews prior to his passing, while Latoya & Jermaine book reinforced this notion. Can you tell us how close was MJ to his family in general? How often did you have contact with him & the children before June 25th?
57. What was your working relationship like with him? Was he a difficult, demanding boss?
58. From the outside, the family seems divided into clans: Those who believe MJ was murdered and those who think Murray was a neglectful and responsible for MJ's death. Then you have other who swore MJ wasn't an addict, and other who have given many interviews talking about addiction, failed interventions & being kept out of MJ's life. Which clan do you pay allegiance to?
59. Why is Brian Oxman allowed on TV to discuss your family? Were you away that MJ's team fired him in 2005?
60. Last week, you claim people hate your family because of their last name. What did you mean by that. Can you give us an example of the hate you have encountered SIMPLY because your last name is Jackson?


Section 6: The Murray case

61. Are you satisfy with the verdict?
62. Why didn't your family join their voice to the fans', estate' & other advocates', admonishing MSNBC for giving a forum to Murray to profit from his crime? I am aware after the estate statement came out, Latoya release hers. But the family as a whole never acknowledged the effort to shut down the documentary. What was the rationale behind that decision?
63. What was the most shocking revelation you heard during the trial?
64. Have you ever met Murray during the 45 hers he treated MJ & his children?
65. If you had the chance to address the court during sentencing, what would be the key elements of your personal victim impact statement?
66. Do you believe, like Latoya, there was a conspiracy to kill MJ? What are the strongest facts that support this argument?
67. if, you do believe in a conspiracy, is your belief based on first hand information or hearsay? Was this information shared with the LAPD?
68. What lasting damage, if any, do you think the trial will have on MJ's legacy?
69. Are the children satisfy with the verdict?
70. Did the family get the opportunity to personally thank DDA Brazil & Walgren?


Section 7: How do we move forward?

From the outside, My impression is if the family doesn't financially benefit from a venture, you will not promote or step in, and do the right thing. For example, Discovery autopsy show (you personally did help after it was brought to your attention), MSNBC Murray interview, Carl Toms' Michael Jackson: Dangerous Liaisons (a convicted pedophile writing a book on MJ)..and several other examples. Many times, fans have to beg family members on twitter to support our fight to honour & protect MJ's legacy.

71. You are his family , and based on your tweets las week part of the MJ-Jackson legacy, as such shouldn't you & your family lead these causes?
72. More and more, MJ's kids are being exposed to the unsavoury characters who hurt, stole, abused your uncle. Does your family know of the history between MJ and...
. Dieter Weisner?
. The tabloids Daily Mail?
. Marc Schaffel?
. Melissa Johnson?
. Frauke Ludowig?
. Howard Mann aka Henry Vaccaro aka Vintage Pop?
73. Why is it that, from the outside, your family seems to attract & do business
only with people with checkered past? A good example, Julian Rouas.
74. I understand your grandparents are old, and may be easily misled, but what are the second & third generations doing to protect their elderly parents from these crooks?
75. How deep is the divide separating the Jackson family & the Michael Jackson Estate?
76. Would it be fair to say, the antagonistic relationship with the estate mirrors the family's relationship with MJ over the years?
77. Would it be a fair assessment to say, the estate can only satisfy the Jackson family by trampling on MJ's wishes? Because it seems MJ's wishes are in direct conflict to the family's.


Thank you again for agreeing to answer our questions!

I did not intend on stopping at 77...but very fitting.

[Rhilo]

I'll post my questions here later.

[Ashtanga]

[CaptainEoLove85]

About time there was something like this. I don't have any questions, other than what people have already asked. It should be interesting to see his answers.

[qbee]

Thank you Taj for allowing MJ fans this opportunity to ask questions that have been concerning us. I think this is the right step to help fans better understand how the Jackson family is continuing theirs and MJ legacy and for the Jackson's to see what is causing MJ fans so much concern. I know you cant personally answer for each Jackson but what you can't answer Hopefully you can inform the family of our real concerns and help bridge the gap between fans and the family so we can move forward.
I think this is very courages and noble on you part becuase you know there is great discord right now and the question will not be easy. I respect you so much for doing this.


1. The Jackson family seemed to love the CIRQUE DU SOLEIL SHOW - MICHAEL JACKSON THE IMMORTAL WORLD TOUR.
Why is the Jackson Family tweeting frequently but ignoring Michael Jackson IMMORTAL CD and showing no support for it?


2. Paris and Prince openly support other Artsist music and Albums and even Jackson family endvours on Twitter but no mention at all of thier Dads new CD. They have even been tweeted questions about the CD from thier followers but refuse to reply. I cant see Michael s children doing this of thier own accord they would have no reason to ignore or dislike it. Have MJ's children been forbidden to support Estate Ventures for thier Dad ?


3. (a) Is Auntie Latoya managing and groomong Michael's children to carry on the Jackson Legacy.?
... (b) If not who is their manager that schedules where they will appear and decides what they will promote?


4. The children are to young to know what is always appropriate concerning exploitation. Knowing Michael do you think he would approve in any way Joseph using Prince and Paris to promote his own products (pictures holding up his perfume) such as he did at Michael Birthday Celebration in Gary?


5. (a) Are the children aware that they are going to be soley inheriting a multi billion dollar MJ Estate when they come of age? (b) Do they understand that when The Michael Jackson estate prospers from their ventures it is building and securing the Estate and they will also prosper from these efforts?

6. seem the Jackson family like many Families are divided on many issue . Has the Jackson family cooperatively decided to start working with the MJ Estate or are some still holding out and consider them an enemy.

7. We all know Latoaya has openly implicated John Branca in a conspiracy of MJ's death. What does
she feel about you and some of her brothers who have worked with Branca on various endevours a
nd do your or the brothers or other family members take her serious with these claims?

8. Do you and your brothers have any plans to make another 3T Album or even solo?

9. What are some projects you are personaly working on right now ?

10. Someone has told Paris Jackson her Dad does not sing on the song Hollywood and she insists its not him.
Will you please let her know that it is indeed her Dad singing on that track ? Thank you

I have another question after I read read an article posted today

11. Why is the Jackson Family foundation not following through and not aquiring the Neccessary
document and status of tax exept so this project for a Jackson Fam musuem can be put in place.
City says Jacksons keep stalling and are not fufilling thier end of the deal. The Jackson family
museum will be scrapped - They have 6 moths to comply or city will use land for something else.

[bluetopez]

Memefan u almost left nothin to ask....lol U covered alot of the important questions already.

Hmm... let me see?

1. Are their any other tracks that we never heard of that 3T have recorded with MJ, that could be released?

2. Is it true that some members of the Cascio family are still in contact with MJ children?

3. Is their still an on going beef with Eddie Cascio over the tracks and what more can you state on the subject that we don't know? Do you know if the rest of the Cascio tracks will be in other future MJ albums for sure and if so will you still protest like the first time?

4. Will 3T get back together? Why did u guys stop making music together?

5. What is your take on Frank Cascio writing a book about MJ? And what is your side of the story about him betraying MJ during the 05 trial or in any other time?

6. Can you address the Omer Bahatti being MJs other son rumor?! I have seen many comment on the subject still and some believe it to be true and some not. What is your opinion on the matter? And are you friends with him? Is he still in contact with MJ kids? What did he ever tell the Jackson family on the rumors?

7. What is your opinion about the hoax and some believing MJ is still alive?

8. Are you or any other member of the Jackson family writing tell all books on MJ too?

9. Will lil blanket be going public in appearances like his older siblings more in the future?

10. What was your take on Latoya's and Jermaine's tell all books?

11. Are you planning to do more movies or/and TV projects?

12. Why are the children allowed to be on Twitter when so many are hating on them? Are they being monitored when they go online?

13. Do you understand the concern fans have over the people that had fall outs with MJ being in bussiness with both your grandparents now?

14. Why is Dieter Weisner in the childrens lives? Do you not believe the reasons for the fall out he had with MJ? Why is your Grandpa in bussiness with him?

15. Why was the Jackson family shocked over MJs Will? Did he ever promise to anyone in the family that other then his Kids and mother that his siblings and father would get money too? Did he ever say that someone in the family would be incharge of his Estate if something happens to him and not the people that were named?

16. What do you really think happen on June 25th? Do you believe as so many in your family do, that Muarry was just the fall guy?

17. If many family members thought MJ was to weak to do the TII 50 shows then why was he approach by his own family to do a Jackson reuion tour? Why did your other uncle's want to be part of the TII shows aswell if they thought he was so weak? Or is it that you didn't know how weak he was until after he passed and heard how fragile he got from others after the whole family saw him in May?

[Diplomate]

Hi Taj!

- How did you feel when you saw people trashed, insulted, ridiculed Michael WHEN he was alive ?

- How did you feel when you vultures, Wiesner,Mann, tried to steal money from Michael WHEN he was alive ?
- How do you feel when you see the same people NOW, try to do the same thing?
- How do you feel when you see Wiesner, Mann WELL KNOWN PORN PRODUCER, a stalker Melissa Johnson with the MJ kids?
- Do the MJ kids know about what these people did to their father?
- If they don't know, why you don't want to protect them to these vutures who tried to destroy their father?
- Why we never heard and saw these kids in the medias before the 25 June 2009?
- How do you feel when you see some pervers and pedos send tweets to Paris and see Paris answer to these disgustings tweets when you can see clearly that sometimes SHE DOESN'T KNOW WHAT THEY MEAN ?

- Why the Jackson use always the MJ name OR his kids now to promote their business?

- Do you know that MJ fans are fans of MJ and only MJ?
- The Jacksons did some good albums with Mike, but why they stopped to work in 1985?
- And why they all , want to comeback since the 25 June 2009?

- What is your favorite MJ board?

[*Completly dry*]

Thank you, Taj, for taking your time to answer questions! I think communication is always the key to understand each other better!
I guess I have to provide some background for my questions because I'm not sure whether you understand the situation.
My problem right now is that I actually don't know who to trust anymore! I try to keep an open mind, give everyone the benefit of the doubt - but at the same time it seems so many people around Michael have their own agenda. They do things that I personally cannot understand. Some even have a history of exploiting Michael in the past, how can I trust them in the present? When Michael was still there, it was always easy to rely on his word and support him in whichever way we could. You have to understand that this energy, that the fans had throughout Michael's carreer, is still there. We still want to support him, do the best we can to do what we think he would have wanted us to do, protect him - even when there's no hidden agenda (like getting Michael's recognition) left for us. But a lot of us are confused, everyone tries to make his or her own picture of the situation, tries to find out who's the good guy and who's the bad guy, so to speak. At the same time it seems there's not much left for us to do. I know, we can sit at home and follow the trial and pray for Michael and all that - but that's not enough, that's not what we used to do! Fans always played a very active role, as you know, even travelling from around the world to support Michael during the trial, helping him terminate Mottola etc etc. Michael let us have a part! And it helped him and gave him power. We are no enemies, we should have the same goals, we should work together! We only want the best for Michael!
So my questions are:
What can we do to support Michael today in your opinion? What can we do to help you in your fight for justice? What is the role you think the fans should play in furthering Michael's legacy as an entertainer as well as protecting his kids and himself as human beings?
And maybe you can give some kind of advice: How can we find out who to trust? Because honestly, I'm sometimes pretty lost...

[thrillerchild]

What was the first piece of advice Michael gave to you about the music business?

[JMie]

After reading everyone's questions, there's nothing left to ask. I look forward to this Q&A. Thank you to MJJC and Taj for making it happen.