Soooo, what are people saying about Michael Jackson today...
GIG RELATED RUMOURS: Janet Jackson is now taking on some of his O2 gigs (just like Justin Timberlake is), with the remaining four brothers as back up: "Janet has been sounded out about fronting some of the shows. A number of discussions have taken place and things are looking hopeful…Jackie, Tito, Jermaine and Marlon have been approached as well, with the idea that they would perform as the backing band."
Also, according to The Sun, there will also be a "digital Jacko onstage": "A highly technical version of MJ as a silhouette performing on stage has been discussed. It is possible to create an impression that Michael is actually there, giving fans a place to mourn and celebrate his music… Executives are keen that they do go ahead." They'd be all over anything that might bring in some money, considering all the back up dancers, musicians, choreographers, and special effects are all ready to go.
If, for some reason, you'd prefer to get a refund instead of looking at a digital ghost of a man, AEG promoters said they'll only refund those purchased through authorised ticket agencies, "like Ticketmaster, Viagogo, See, or Ticketline". AEG have also released a statement saying fans "will have the option to be sent the actual tickets", which they can frame and look at when their cable gets cut off 'cause they can't pay the bill.
KID RELATED RUMOURS: Debbie Rowe has been trying to get in contact with the Jackson family to no avail, with a source saying: "We've been trying to reach them at different numbers. But we don't know if who we've been leaving messages with have gotten the messages."
Katherine Jackson, meanwhile, has requested guardianship, as "Minor children are currently residing with paternal grandmother. They have a long-established relationship with paternal grandmother and are comfortable in her care."
She failed to mention who exactly the random "minor children" were, but Joe Jackson seems to be under the impression they just knock round every now and then: "They're happy with the kids that they're around because we have kids over at the house (apparently they're living there, Joe). They're small just like they are and some of them are the same age," he explained. "They were never around other kids, but they're happy... This is where they belong... We're going to take care of them and give them an education that they’re supposed to have. We can do that... We have [a space] large enough to be able to extend to them all the help that they might need." I shudder to think what Joe Jackson deems a fit education but, given he;s taking about a space large enough he's probably got some kind of child dance troupe bound for Las Vegas in mind.
Al Malnik, one of Michael's "good friends" is now claiming he's the biological father of 'Blanket': "I'm the one who saved Michael from bankruptcy and, in return, he said he would name me the executor of his will. I was a father figure to Michael and I intend to be a father figure to the son who is rightfully mine. He asked me, if anything happened to him, if I would become godfather and parent to Prince Michael." KARCHIIIIING
DANCE ALBUM RELATED RUMOURS: Will.i.am seemingly recorded an album of dance tracks with Michael: “It was going to be out of this world. It's something Michael has never done before - a dance music album (um, Off The Wall? With the exception of She's Out of My Life). I was very proud of it. But he was very protective and kept it under lock and key. After we made it I had to hand back every demo. He was a perfectionist and didn’t want anyone to hear it until it was ready."
Will.i.am then spoke to The Mirror about the last time he talked to Michael: "The last time I spoke to Michael was on Father's Day. He called me to wish me happy Father's Day even though I don't have any children. He said, 'I just wanted to call and say have a good day anyway.' I told him, ‘OK, I will grab my crotch and wish myself happy Father's Day for all my unborn children.' He laughed and said, 'You're so funny'." And then what happened?
OTHER RUMOURS: There were, of course, the on going rumours about TheSun's autopsy report being false (this, coming from TMZ); Dr.ConradMurray's involvement; the amount of fans who have taken their own lives since his death (apparently 12, mostly in Australia); and the Jackson's filing court action to take control of Michael's estate, but I thought I'd leave you with this little about P Diddy, which comes from the New York Daily News:
"Diddy became irate when party guests at L.A. hot spot MyHouse seemed to be having too much of a good time while celebrating Jacko's life. Toward the end of the evening, the rapper abruptly stopped playing a remixed version of Man in the Mirror to dedicate a moment of silence to the singer and then told guests like Queen Latifah, Taraji P. Henson, Wesley (I Should Really be in Prison Instead of Partying) Snipes and Hill Harper, 'While you guys are talking and laughing, you're not hearing his words. You're not listening to his words. I need you to hear what he's saying! Listen to the message that he is telling us.' He then resumed his lecture while blasting 'Mirror' at full volume, shouting over the music, 'Michael, I hear your words - I hear what you're saying!'"
Michael was asking him to change his ways. Fingers crossed.
