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Prince Michael Conducts First Interview with ET
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serendipity
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Thanks for the videos guys!!
bluesky
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Is Prince Michael Jackson's 'Entertainment Tonight' gig fair or foul?
By Diana Falzone
Published February 22, 2013
FoxNews.com
NEW YORK – Michael Jackson’s son Prince has landed the plum job as a special correspondent at "Entertainment Tonight." During an interview with his new employer, Prince said he's "looking to become well-rounded as a producer, director, screenwriter, and actor.”
He may have a ways to go, as the 16-year-old has yet to graduate high school, and was, for much of his life, shielded from everyday reality by his protective pop star father. We're talking shielded as in wearing masks and costumes in public, and running around for years on the Neverland Ranch with monkeys and giraffes.
Which leaves pretty much one thing on Prince’s resume – his last name.
Now ***** Jr. is hardly the first celeb to get by in Hollywood on his famous lineage. But has "ET" gone too far in hiring a kid whose main claim to fame is moonwalking in his father’s shadow?
“This absolutely is a contrived move by the network to get ratings," said Dorothy Cascerceri, the senior editor at In Touch Weekly Magazine. "There’s so many very, very talented people out there who have worked in journalism and who have had internships and jobs in that sort of thing that are probably much more qualified to that this position."
But pop culture watcher Lorenzo Borghese, the former "Bachelor" star who is himself Italian royalty (his dad is Prince Francesco Marco Luigi Costanzo Borghese), disagrees.
“Life isn’t fair. This is 100 percent about ratings," he told FOX411's In the Zone. "If he increases ratings it’s a great move. If he’s horrible at what he does he’ll be thrown off the air.”
But Cascerceri said it’s unfair to give a job to someone without any credentials, famous or not.
“It definitely is unfair in a certain way," she said. "When it comes to getting jobs and moving up in the world it’s all about who you know."
SiriusXM radio personality Cristina Palumbo shared her sentiments.
“It’s hard to see somebody be able to bust through without having to come up and climb the ladder," she said. "Who’s going to say no to Michael Jackson’s kids or Will Smith’s kid? Celebrities are American royalty.”
But Borghese said complains about Prince cutting in line are much ado about nothing.
“Having your father as Michael Jackson will open up many doors," he said. "But it doesn’t mean you’re going to stay there.”
Diana Falzone is a FoxNews.com contributor and the advice columnist for My Wingman Diana on Military.com
. Her work has been published in the textbook "Sexuality Education," distributed in universities across North America. You can follow her on Twitter @dianafalzone.
Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/entertainmen...nment-tonight-gig-fair-or-foul/#ixzz2Lf1HkgYQ
By Diana Falzone
Published February 22, 2013
FoxNews.com
NEW YORK – Michael Jackson’s son Prince has landed the plum job as a special correspondent at "Entertainment Tonight." During an interview with his new employer, Prince said he's "looking to become well-rounded as a producer, director, screenwriter, and actor.”
He may have a ways to go, as the 16-year-old has yet to graduate high school, and was, for much of his life, shielded from everyday reality by his protective pop star father. We're talking shielded as in wearing masks and costumes in public, and running around for years on the Neverland Ranch with monkeys and giraffes.
Which leaves pretty much one thing on Prince’s resume – his last name.
Now ***** Jr. is hardly the first celeb to get by in Hollywood on his famous lineage. But has "ET" gone too far in hiring a kid whose main claim to fame is moonwalking in his father’s shadow?
“This absolutely is a contrived move by the network to get ratings," said Dorothy Cascerceri, the senior editor at In Touch Weekly Magazine. "There’s so many very, very talented people out there who have worked in journalism and who have had internships and jobs in that sort of thing that are probably much more qualified to that this position."
But pop culture watcher Lorenzo Borghese, the former "Bachelor" star who is himself Italian royalty (his dad is Prince Francesco Marco Luigi Costanzo Borghese), disagrees.
“Life isn’t fair. This is 100 percent about ratings," he told FOX411's In the Zone. "If he increases ratings it’s a great move. If he’s horrible at what he does he’ll be thrown off the air.”
But Cascerceri said it’s unfair to give a job to someone without any credentials, famous or not.
“It definitely is unfair in a certain way," she said. "When it comes to getting jobs and moving up in the world it’s all about who you know."
SiriusXM radio personality Cristina Palumbo shared her sentiments.
“It’s hard to see somebody be able to bust through without having to come up and climb the ladder," she said. "Who’s going to say no to Michael Jackson’s kids or Will Smith’s kid? Celebrities are American royalty.”
But Borghese said complains about Prince cutting in line are much ado about nothing.
“Having your father as Michael Jackson will open up many doors," he said. "But it doesn’t mean you’re going to stay there.”
Diana Falzone is a FoxNews.com contributor and the advice columnist for My Wingman Diana on Military.com
Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/entertainmen...nment-tonight-gig-fair-or-foul/#ixzz2Lf1HkgYQ
Petrarose
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^^This horrible article above is a disgrace. After I reached the part about running around with giraffes I had enough. It seems that all the bottom feeders are out to feed once more. This Diana Falzone sounds like Diana Floozy, I am sorry to say. To continue to imagine that Michael kept his children simple tucked away from reality as though they were hiding for years on the property & went no where is too foolish. The knowledge that Michael's kids have at 09 was greater than this foolish woman had at the ages the kids were when Michael passed away. Further, they have been to places in the world that she can only dream about.
I hope he does go to film school. I have a feeling he knows exactly what he wants to do. He is driven and focused just like Michael was. Maybe this ET was a fun experience for Prince. I don't think it's permanent at all. He is only 16 and he wants to got to school.
People who write tacky articles are the ones that come across as foolish and uneducated. Just by the words they choose are classless and immature.
People who write tacky articles are the ones that come across as foolish and uneducated. Just by the words they choose are classless and immature.
Bubs
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It is rather brutal article but quite honest in my opinion.
We need to get used to that sort of articles if Junior will keep up with Latoya.
Not many people likes to hear when someones rich kid gets a job by nepotism. It didn't help the matter when Alan Duke released the info that it was LaToya who got this job for him, and it doesn't help that Entertainment Tonight constantly uses reference that Prince is Michael Jackson's son. LaToya or ET doesn't give a shit about Junior. LaToya is happy, she gets her name out there because Junior reference.
ET is happy, because anything related to MJ is bound to attract viewers, if doesn't matter if they use Michael son to do it.
Junior is going to have a rocky road ahead of himself, if he is going to take the route that he is letting his fam members do his own job and not do anything for himself. He has to work twice as hard than anyone else, just because his father is MJ, and he has to make his own name with his own merits, not ride in his fathers coattail.
That is the route LaToya is taking him as she sees nothing wrong with it, but it will later take away his believability in the industry.
Petrarose
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Bubs ^^ but the issue about the nepotism can be discussed without getting into the nasty, tabloid aspects that fills the article. By interjecting these elements the author shows too much of her personal biases against a child and his dad. Further, nepotism is not really happening because no relative of Prince's work for the network and hired him. The relative helped him get the job, but she did not hire him to work for ET.
Unfortunately I do not agree with you about the honesty of this article, even if an Alan Duke had something to say, because you cannot blame a child for the actions an adult made. It was Latoya the money grabber who pushed this child in the wrong show. I see nothing wrong with him getting a visible position on tv, since MOST people seek visible or high earning positions for their children by using their own contacts. There is nothing new here so to pretend that he is getting a job because of Michael Jackson's name is not such a big deal as the author makes it out to be. President Clinton's daughter got a 6 figure job after graduate school, when other students with the same degree did not. Billionnairs, millionairs, business people, doctors, all people with clout find ways to get their children in the door. This is normal behavior and not relegated to the Prince-Michael Jackson situation as the media is saying. Of course some will buy this & cry about how Prince got a job because he is Michal's Jackson's son, but it is what is done all the time. My sister got a big job because the owners of the company she worked for, were contacted by someone in the government & her company called her, and I am sorry to tell you that 7,000 people applied for this government position & the interviewers went through the motions, but my sister was hired way before these other people were interviewed. This situation is not unique. People ask me all the time if I know about a job, & if I do and contact the person hiring, they will take my reference because they trust me. This is not unique behavior. I am finding out now that people are using a lot of referrals now to fill positions.
I will listen to this author more if she had complained how Bashit got a US job on a big network, when there were thousands of qualified Americans to fill that position. How come the author and the Alan Dukes did not give their input about that, where a network stepped over several people & used someone simple to get ratings because Bashit was famous for the Michael Jackson interview. It is the same thing--Prince is being hired because he has a famous connection to the man Michael Jackson, in the same way Bashit was hired because he had a famous connection to Michael.
And you know what Bubs, if I had a child, I would be using my position to get the child into a high position, if the child entered the same field I did, and I am being very honest here. However, I agree with you about the Latoya angle. This kid really needs to research his aunt & her ties, and investigate whether the actions she does on his behalf are morally sound & would help him in later life.
Unfortunately I do not agree with you about the honesty of this article, even if an Alan Duke had something to say, because you cannot blame a child for the actions an adult made. It was Latoya the money grabber who pushed this child in the wrong show. I see nothing wrong with him getting a visible position on tv, since MOST people seek visible or high earning positions for their children by using their own contacts. There is nothing new here so to pretend that he is getting a job because of Michael Jackson's name is not such a big deal as the author makes it out to be. President Clinton's daughter got a 6 figure job after graduate school, when other students with the same degree did not. Billionnairs, millionairs, business people, doctors, all people with clout find ways to get their children in the door. This is normal behavior and not relegated to the Prince-Michael Jackson situation as the media is saying. Of course some will buy this & cry about how Prince got a job because he is Michal's Jackson's son, but it is what is done all the time. My sister got a big job because the owners of the company she worked for, were contacted by someone in the government & her company called her, and I am sorry to tell you that 7,000 people applied for this government position & the interviewers went through the motions, but my sister was hired way before these other people were interviewed. This situation is not unique. People ask me all the time if I know about a job, & if I do and contact the person hiring, they will take my reference because they trust me. This is not unique behavior. I am finding out now that people are using a lot of referrals now to fill positions.
I will listen to this author more if she had complained how Bashit got a US job on a big network, when there were thousands of qualified Americans to fill that position. How come the author and the Alan Dukes did not give their input about that, where a network stepped over several people & used someone simple to get ratings because Bashit was famous for the Michael Jackson interview. It is the same thing--Prince is being hired because he has a famous connection to the man Michael Jackson, in the same way Bashit was hired because he had a famous connection to Michael.
And you know what Bubs, if I had a child, I would be using my position to get the child into a high position, if the child entered the same field I did, and I am being very honest here. However, I agree with you about the Latoya angle. This kid really needs to research his aunt & her ties, and investigate whether the actions she does on his behalf are morally sound & would help him in later life.
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Bubs
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@Petrarose
I'm no way put the blame on Junior, it is all LaToya's doing and her way to get publicity, as well ET using him to get viewers.
I still stand by what Is said about the the article, it was brutal, but all in all honest.
It was tabloid commenting tabloid story, it shouldn't come as surprise that they are brutal to MJ's son.
You wrote:
"I see nothing wrong with him getting a visible position on tv, since MOST people seek visible or high earning positions for their children by using their own contacts."
First when I thought about it, I agreed with you, but further soul searching, I just cannot agree with that statement. I would be hypocrite if I did, as then I should be ok with Jackson brothers using MJ to get gigs, I should be ok LaToya using PPB to promote her stuff, I should be ok Joe and Katherine's using them for whatever they do, I should be ok with anyone out there using MJ or kids for their own gain. I'm not ok with Jack:sun:'s seeking visible or high earning position for themselves using MJ as their contact. I'm not ok any Jackson relatives (singing cousins) using their connection to MJ to pump up their own careers.
Think about it, and as for ref, check LMP thread. How many fans have expressed their dislike on LMP for using her dad or MJ as stepping stone to help for her career. According to your post, it is perfectly acceptable, or is it? Or is acceptability only reserved for the people we like?
In my opinion, Junior should not let anyone advertise that he got job because he asked someone to get him his gig. He should go to school were he learns his craft, and show that he doesn't need to ride anyones coattails and doesn't need help from relatives.
Then again, I cannot tell Junior what to do and what is best for him. It is his family's job and I hope, whatever they teaching him, do what is best for Junior.
I'm no way put the blame on Junior, it is all LaToya's doing and her way to get publicity, as well ET using him to get viewers.
I still stand by what Is said about the the article, it was brutal, but all in all honest.
It was tabloid commenting tabloid story, it shouldn't come as surprise that they are brutal to MJ's son.
You wrote:
"I see nothing wrong with him getting a visible position on tv, since MOST people seek visible or high earning positions for their children by using their own contacts."
First when I thought about it, I agreed with you, but further soul searching, I just cannot agree with that statement. I would be hypocrite if I did, as then I should be ok with Jackson brothers using MJ to get gigs, I should be ok LaToya using PPB to promote her stuff, I should be ok Joe and Katherine's using them for whatever they do, I should be ok with anyone out there using MJ or kids for their own gain. I'm not ok with Jack:sun:'s seeking visible or high earning position for themselves using MJ as their contact. I'm not ok any Jackson relatives (singing cousins) using their connection to MJ to pump up their own careers.
Think about it, and as for ref, check LMP thread. How many fans have expressed their dislike on LMP for using her dad or MJ as stepping stone to help for her career. According to your post, it is perfectly acceptable, or is it? Or is acceptability only reserved for the people we like?
In my opinion, Junior should not let anyone advertise that he got job because he asked someone to get him his gig. He should go to school were he learns his craft, and show that he doesn't need to ride anyones coattails and doesn't need help from relatives.
Then again, I cannot tell Junior what to do and what is best for him. It is his family's job and I hope, whatever they teaching him, do what is best for Junior.
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Petrarose
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Bubs I will just comment on this part ^^. The conclusions you made from the part of my post you quoted, is a little off. Let's see, I talk about people using their contacts to help their kids for visible positions & good jobs. You then analysed that to mean being OK for Latoya to use PPB. This is where I see something is off, because the 2 things do not connect.
When a parent is using their pull to get their child a good position, it does not mean they are using their children. A lawyer calls a friend in another law firm and says: hey my son is finishing school & I hear you have a jr position available, how about my son? The lawyer knows his friend's reputation, knows the firms finances, and knows what type of place his son will be entering. In this situation the lawyer is not asking for a fee from the friend or his son & he is not using his son to gain fame, money. The point is just because you help using your influence, it does not mean you are exploiting your child.
However, Latoya is using the children here, because she is most likely acting like a type of manager and getting paid, and she does not care where she places this child. Now Latoya is not like most parents who try to look for good situations for their children. Latoya is a user. It does not mean that every parent helping their children are users like Latoya, so parents can seek good positions for their children & not be users or place them in harms way. Latoya could have easily done this the right way, but being Latoya I guess the greed took over.
So I say I do not find an issue with the part of the article you originally commented about where they fuss about the kid getting help, because good parents help their kids enter the door all the time, and this is a fact. I am sure if you ask all these tv people like Larry King, Leno, Oprah if they helped some close friend or family member get some position by using their influence or contacts, they will say yes. However, I do have an issue with the type of person the aunt is, but not the act of helping the child find a position. I make a distinction between those 2 things.
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144000
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Well, in the days of Mary Hart and John Tesh, and for all I could see, ET's reporters were fair to Michael. It seems Prince knew what show to choose to work for. And, normally, no correspondent on any network entertainment/news program gets all touchy feely and very emotional like that, or is it happening so fast and spontaneously, that it's inadvertently caught on camera, but it's obvious that the correspondent standing by Prince was overtly starstruck. It's clear that many, such as her, really have ardent fan reaction to Michael and want to touch his magic, even if it's by hugging on one of his kids.
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Petrarose
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laurenjayne
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That article further up is disgusting, i couldnt even read the whole thing just sick of the crap people like that spew out.
Hearing about him wanting to go to film school? I bet that would be a great thing to do, really interesting to find out what goes on behind the scenes of film making. I wish Prince all the success in the world for the future, he certainly has the brain and the determination and dedication to go far.
Hearing about him wanting to go to film school? I bet that would be a great thing to do, really interesting to find out what goes on behind the scenes of film making. I wish Prince all the success in the world for the future, he certainly has the brain and the determination and dedication to go far.
mjchris
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as i recognized that there is only very poor quality uploaded... here are the 5-days ET special. in much better quality. in HQ.
and also some missing parts also in. 100% all in.
Day 1
[youtube]N7Nh0I0l2og[/youtube]
Day 2
[youtube]J4jkSeCHT1c[/youtube]
Day 3
[youtube]TCMVtX1q6x0[/youtube]
Day 4
[youtube]Q8P2oW9oisk[/youtube]
Day 5
[youtube]m9YuxyHL41k[/youtube]
and also some missing parts also in. 100% all in.
Day 1
[youtube]N7Nh0I0l2og[/youtube]
Day 2
[youtube]J4jkSeCHT1c[/youtube]
Day 3
[youtube]TCMVtX1q6x0[/youtube]
Day 4
[youtube]Q8P2oW9oisk[/youtube]
Day 5
[youtube]m9YuxyHL41k[/youtube]
Silouette
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I'm guessing that Jr., being 16 years old, is a sophomore (10th gr) in high school.
Probably to finish in 2015.
Snow White luvs Peter Pan
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How the f**k did that hag Oprah dare to give an opinion on Prince's gig on ET if she was the first one to use PPB to make them being on the spotlight to have more raitings! :angry:
What a crap has ET became, Prince was the only worthwhile person to watch!
What a crap has ET became, Prince was the only worthwhile person to watch!
missred07
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orz..........Prince did do a great job. He spoke well and calm and really way mature than 16.
However, these people are really using him for rating and LaToya should stop pulling this string.
Actually 99% of the J family are useless if he wanted to have a successful career.
Hope he would follow his father's step to cut them when it comes to the professional things.
The whole thing is put like "come watch MJ's son doing something"
It feels like people watching the animals in zoo. Can't count how many time's they mentioned MJ's name.
Oprah's comment is funny since she is the first one to drag them on TV show. How ironic is that.
Well, I hope Prince did get talent and can direct good movies.
They will always be under great pressure because they were MJ's kids
However, these people are really using him for rating and LaToya should stop pulling this string.
Actually 99% of the J family are useless if he wanted to have a successful career.
Hope he would follow his father's step to cut them when it comes to the professional things.
The whole thing is put like "come watch MJ's son doing something"
It feels like people watching the animals in zoo. Can't count how many time's they mentioned MJ's name.
Oprah's comment is funny since she is the first one to drag them on TV show. How ironic is that.
Well, I hope Prince did get talent and can direct good movies.
They will always be under great pressure because they were MJ's kids
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xthunderx2
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Oprah commented on Prince's interview?.. What did she say?.
mjchris
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bluetopez
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Oprah comment was so rude. The deal for her Katherine interview was that the kids had to be part of it or there was no deal. So she is so full of sh*t! She used MJ kids for the same reason ET did...RATINGS! But because she is the all mighty Oprah Pff she think it's all good!-_-
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Petrarose
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Typical Oprah, accusing people of the same things she does herself. Oprah needs to start another network called "Disown."
Aquarius
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^^The nerve she has to talk about another tv program when she did the same. I don't want to disrespect Michael but as she says, If Michael is moonwalking in his grave because Prince is on ET then Michael did a triple flip when she interviewed his children.
bluetopez
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U know the interesting thing about Toya being all over MJ kids as this "great caring aunt" BS is how not to long ago she couldn't even say for sure if she believed they were even MJs SMFH. I remember her well telling Barbara Walters that "We just don't know" comment when asked if they were biologically MJs.
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Bubs
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Michael Jackson's kids are following in his celebrity footsteps
Prince Michael and Paris have already demonstrated their talent, and Blanket is bound to shine soon
Was there not a clause in Michael Jackson's last will and testament requesting that his children should, until they came of age, be brought up at least vaguely in the manner he would have wanted? Lost in Showbiz is moved to ask because his 16-year-old son, Prince Michael Jackson, has used the past month to make his debut as a showbiz reporter for Entertainment Tonight, guest star in an episode of 90210, and announce that he is also "looking to become well-rounded as a producer, director, screenwriter and actor". Obviously, none of us can second guess with total accuracy what Prince Michael's father would have wanted. But given that he required his children to wear masks or full veils in any public place, perhaps we could hazard the answer: "Not this."
Of his new reporting job, the first gig of which was a sitdown chat with the stars of new film Oz the Great and Powerful, Prince Michael declared: "I've been raised around stuff like this." And yet, Lost in Showbiz has to question that "stuff like this". Mildly unusual though interviewing the cast of a movie might seem, it somehow doesn't feel analogous with your father running a private fairground, or growing up in a house where the chimpanzee cleaning staff occasionally mounted dirty protests.
Given that Michael Jackson virtually admitted his entire life was a cautionary tale of child stardom, it seems faintly perplexing that this somewhat gauche youngster should be making such an early debut. But only faintly. We do, after all, have to take into account the fact that the children's formal guardian is faction-beset materfamilias Katherine – a woman to whom the exhortation "Don't put your children on the stage, Mrs Jackson" would seem a little belated.
Indeed, it was only a few months ago that this doting grandmother was being forced to explain that a selection of her children hadn't kidnapped her. I know, I know – just one of those everyday misunderstandings. This one arose after both Prince Michael and his sister Paris tweeted that they were banned from contacting their grandmother by persons unspecified. But if you were looking for leads, you may have cared to note that shortly after her disappearance, an SUV containing the precious cargo of Jermaine, Randy and Janet Jackson smashed through the absentee Katherine's security gates, and attempted to relieve the children of their mobile phones.
After 10 days, Katherine finally broke cover to explain she had merely left her three grandchildren at home and guardianless because she needed a break, and had decamped to an undisclosed spa in Arizona. The whole not calling thing was also explained – Katherine had left her mobile behind because: "I didn't want to have any phone calls while I was here."
Mmm. That opaque trip to the hot springs saw the guardianship of the three children evolve into a shared task, with a court ordering that their cousin Tito "TJ" Jackson should also assume responsibility for their welfare. Attempting to draw a line under various driveway arguments between the warring factions, lovingly captured by LA's videorazzi, TJ issued a statement. "After much soul-searching, it is clearly time for us to live by Michael's words about love not war," he explained. "In this spirit, I offer this statement by way of extending an olive branch. 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."
That move appears to be complete, as this week Katherine filed court papers requesting that TJ be paid $9,000 (£6,000) a month from Jackson's estate for his role in the children's lives. An invoicing strategy Jackson fans will recognise from the famous chorus: "Heal the world / Make it a better place / For nine grand a month / I will fake good grace / Na- na-na-na-na-na / Da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da / something something / nine grand a month..."
Still, as Katherine put it to the court, it's what their nanny gets.
As for the other children, Paris recorded a hugely promoted Oprah Winfrey show a few months ago, while little Blanket – the crowdsurfing baby Jackson dangled off the balcony back in the day – is not likely to remain the unknown quantity for long.
That doesn't entirely complete our roundup of child-effect dependants, of course – something Lost in Showbiz was reminded of by a recent snap of Prince Michael presenting his girlfriend with a love token. The gift in question? A cuddly toy chimpanzee, dressed in a sort of snazzed-up bellboy uniform, the sort ... well, the sort that once graced a certain 80s star named Bubbles. Not being an expert in blended family terminology, I am not sure how precisely one describes the relationship between Prince Michael and Bubbles. Whether Bubbles is Prince's step-brother or step-chimp, I wouldn't like to hazard, but the next time La Toya visits the Floridian animal sanctuary in which Bubbles now lives after conquering anger management problems, perhaps she could ask.
In the meantime, one daren't say whether settled waters lie ahead for this nuclear family (Chernobyl edition). But you can rule out any mercy dash for the children by the woman who gave birth to two of them – the erstwhile Mrs Jackson, Debbie Rowe. The level of Debbie's non-involvement can be gauged from a quote Lost in Showbiz still classes as one of the most eye-popping in the modern showbiz era: "I am absolutely around if the children need me for a liver, a kidney, a hello, whatever." What can you say? What. Can. You. Say?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/lostinshowbiz/2013/mar/14/michael-jacksons-kids-celebrity-footsteps
Prince Michael and Paris have already demonstrated their talent, and Blanket is bound to shine soon
Was there not a clause in Michael Jackson's last will and testament requesting that his children should, until they came of age, be brought up at least vaguely in the manner he would have wanted? Lost in Showbiz is moved to ask because his 16-year-old son, Prince Michael Jackson, has used the past month to make his debut as a showbiz reporter for Entertainment Tonight, guest star in an episode of 90210, and announce that he is also "looking to become well-rounded as a producer, director, screenwriter and actor". Obviously, none of us can second guess with total accuracy what Prince Michael's father would have wanted. But given that he required his children to wear masks or full veils in any public place, perhaps we could hazard the answer: "Not this."
Of his new reporting job, the first gig of which was a sitdown chat with the stars of new film Oz the Great and Powerful, Prince Michael declared: "I've been raised around stuff like this." And yet, Lost in Showbiz has to question that "stuff like this". Mildly unusual though interviewing the cast of a movie might seem, it somehow doesn't feel analogous with your father running a private fairground, or growing up in a house where the chimpanzee cleaning staff occasionally mounted dirty protests.
Given that Michael Jackson virtually admitted his entire life was a cautionary tale of child stardom, it seems faintly perplexing that this somewhat gauche youngster should be making such an early debut. But only faintly. We do, after all, have to take into account the fact that the children's formal guardian is faction-beset materfamilias Katherine – a woman to whom the exhortation "Don't put your children on the stage, Mrs Jackson" would seem a little belated.
Indeed, it was only a few months ago that this doting grandmother was being forced to explain that a selection of her children hadn't kidnapped her. I know, I know – just one of those everyday misunderstandings. This one arose after both Prince Michael and his sister Paris tweeted that they were banned from contacting their grandmother by persons unspecified. But if you were looking for leads, you may have cared to note that shortly after her disappearance, an SUV containing the precious cargo of Jermaine, Randy and Janet Jackson smashed through the absentee Katherine's security gates, and attempted to relieve the children of their mobile phones.
After 10 days, Katherine finally broke cover to explain she had merely left her three grandchildren at home and guardianless because she needed a break, and had decamped to an undisclosed spa in Arizona. The whole not calling thing was also explained – Katherine had left her mobile behind because: "I didn't want to have any phone calls while I was here."
Mmm. That opaque trip to the hot springs saw the guardianship of the three children evolve into a shared task, with a court ordering that their cousin Tito "TJ" Jackson should also assume responsibility for their welfare. Attempting to draw a line under various driveway arguments between the warring factions, lovingly captured by LA's videorazzi, TJ issued a statement. "After much soul-searching, it is clearly time for us to live by Michael's words about love not war," he explained. "In this spirit, I offer this statement by way of extending an olive branch. 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."
That move appears to be complete, as this week Katherine filed court papers requesting that TJ be paid $9,000 (£6,000) a month from Jackson's estate for his role in the children's lives. An invoicing strategy Jackson fans will recognise from the famous chorus: "Heal the world / Make it a better place / For nine grand a month / I will fake good grace / Na- na-na-na-na-na / Da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da / something something / nine grand a month..."
Still, as Katherine put it to the court, it's what their nanny gets.
As for the other children, Paris recorded a hugely promoted Oprah Winfrey show a few months ago, while little Blanket – the crowdsurfing baby Jackson dangled off the balcony back in the day – is not likely to remain the unknown quantity for long.
That doesn't entirely complete our roundup of child-effect dependants, of course – something Lost in Showbiz was reminded of by a recent snap of Prince Michael presenting his girlfriend with a love token. The gift in question? A cuddly toy chimpanzee, dressed in a sort of snazzed-up bellboy uniform, the sort ... well, the sort that once graced a certain 80s star named Bubbles. Not being an expert in blended family terminology, I am not sure how precisely one describes the relationship between Prince Michael and Bubbles. Whether Bubbles is Prince's step-brother or step-chimp, I wouldn't like to hazard, but the next time La Toya visits the Floridian animal sanctuary in which Bubbles now lives after conquering anger management problems, perhaps she could ask.
In the meantime, one daren't say whether settled waters lie ahead for this nuclear family (Chernobyl edition). But you can rule out any mercy dash for the children by the woman who gave birth to two of them – the erstwhile Mrs Jackson, Debbie Rowe. The level of Debbie's non-involvement can be gauged from a quote Lost in Showbiz still classes as one of the most eye-popping in the modern showbiz era: "I am absolutely around if the children need me for a liver, a kidney, a hello, whatever." What can you say? What. Can. You. Say?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/lostinshowbiz/2013/mar/14/michael-jacksons-kids-celebrity-footsteps