Katherine Jackson says she will not press charges against her kids after she was allegedly tricked into spending about 10 days shacked up at a luxury spa in Arizona without her phone in what some believe was an attempted coup against Michael Jackson’s estate. Her attorney Perry Sanders said, “This chapter of chaos is closed, and we are supportive of family unity in spite of recent events and arguably poor decisions.” Katherine first went missing from her home in Calabasas, Calif., on July 14. In a sworn declaration filed last week, the 82-year-old Jackson family matriarch claimed she planned to drive to see her sons perform in New Mexico on that day, but a doctor advised her to fly instead. She did as instructed. When she got off her private plane, she found herself in Arizona. There, she was put up at a luxury spa, cut off from technology and kept in the dark about the state of Michael’s children – Prince Michael, 15, Paris, 14, and Blanket, 10 – for days while they had no clue what was going on either. That bizarre incident followed a letter sent by Janet Jackson and four of her siblings to the executors of Michael’s estate, accusing them of making bad decisions and putting Katherine – the kids’ legal guardian – in harm’s way. While she was missing, Katherine’s legal custody of Michael’s children was temporarily suspended in favor of her nephew, TJ Jackson, 34. Katherine was reinstated as guardian last Thursday.
Today is President Barack Obama’s 51st Birthday and we wanted to send him some love on his special day. Critics aside, we think he deserves a round of golf (as planned) and an evening with the fam. All without catching flack from his critics. In honor of him, we thought we’d share some of our favorite moments. Happy Birthday! Images: Facebook/Youtube
What does God’s Son have to say about the POTUS? Nas Talks To Michael Eric Dyson About Barack Obama And Social Media College professor, scholar and academic Michael Eric Dyson interviewed Nas on MSNBC’s The Ed Show and had a wide ranging discussion on topics like Barack Obama’s job performance, politics rap lyricism and musical longevity. As far as how Nas been able to stay on point despite his debut album, Illmatic, being released almost 20 years ago, the Queensbridge rapper had a relatively simple answer. “I’d say passion,” explained Nas, whose latest album, Life Is Good, debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart… Image via MSNBC Go to Hip Hop Wired to read more on Nas talk with Michael Eric Dyson
Despite millions in sales and hundreds of YouTube views, music stars may never match Phelps’ Olympic accomplishment. By Gil Kaufman Michael Phelps Photo: Adam Pretty/ Getty Images
Jermaine Jackson, one of the main players in the family revolt against the Michael Jackson Estate, has officially defected from the rebellion … mostly. While he has “deep reservations” about their conduct, Jermaine is bowing out of official efforts to challenge the power of his late brother’s executors. “I rescind my signature from the letter which was sent to the Estate, and which should never have gone public,” Jermaine Tweeted Wednesday. “I still hold deep reservations about many issues involving the Estate,” he adds. “I will continue to bring scrutiny and a resolute voice wherever we have great cause for concern. But the way to address such matters is through the proper channels and via a private dialogue, not public conflict.” “In this spirit, I offer this statement by way of extending an olive-branch.” That would be long overdue, following their apparent coup attempt to wrest guardianship of Michael’s kids away from their grandmother and guardian. Jermaine and Tito are no longer backing the family’s bid to oust the executors, who they even suggested are actively mistreating Katherine Jackson . The signatures of Janet Jackson – who was accused of a physical and verbal altercation with Paris Jackson – Rebbie, and Randy remain on the letter. All are still barred from their mom’s house by court order. Prince, Paris and Blanket are under the temporary guardianship of TJ Jackson, Tito’s son. [Photo: WENN.com]
We have a feeling that the Jackson family drama is gonna get worse before it gets better… Michael Jackson’s Nanny Grace Rwaramba Speaks Out Against Family In-Fighting According to RadarOnline : Michael Jackson’s long time nanny, Grace Rwaramba, is speaking out about the ongoing Jackson family drama, telling RadarOnline.com exclusively that the recent turmoil is exactly what the late singer had tried so hard to protect his three children from while he was alive. Grace began working for Jackson in 1997, and continued to work on and off for the King of Pop for the next decade, including after he tragically died in 2009. In an exclusive statement to RadarOnline.com, Grace says, “Everyone knows that Michael went to great lengths to protect his children from the public eye. While the use of veils and masks was unconventional, it only highlights how important this issue was to him. He understood, probably better than anyone, that growing up as a public figure, especially in the entertainment industry can be disaster…The recent drama surrounding Michael’s mother, Katherine, the ongoing custody issues and now the public dispute between Paris and Janet is exactly what Michael wanted to protect his children from. These matters have been further complicated by Gladys Knight and others recent and well intentioned comments about Paris. I have great respect and admiration for Mrs. Knight. And while I agree with the spirit of her comments, attacking Paris in public is not the answer.” The nanny goes on to ask for the public’s mercy on Michael’s daughter, Paris. Rwaramba asks that the public be fair to Paris Jackson and “give her a chance to make and learn from her mistakes without demonizing her. She is a spirited, very expressive and dramatic young girl. The traits that made her the apple of her father’s eye are the same traits that she must learn to control as she matures into adulthood. Let’s be careful not to dim her spirit. It breaks my heart to think that Paris and her brothers could become the subject of endless criticism for simply being kids. Michael loved his children very much. He gave them tools that they will need to become good and decent individuals. I am confident that in time, Paris and her brothers will learn that their family loves and wants what’s best for them. Until then, please take her tweets with a grain of salt. No child should have 700,000 followers on Twitter or any other social media platform.” Rwaramba makes a good point. Paris Jackson will lead a life in the public eye, and without her father’s protection she’s probably going to learn how cold the world is as she makes mistakes. Hopefully she doesn’t end up like Maia Campbell. Sweet baby Jesus. Image via Instagram
From Michael Caine to the score to the twist at the end, ‘Rises’ carries many familiar marks of a Christopher Nolan movie. By Kevin P. Sullivan Tom Hardy and Christian Bale in “The Dark Knight Rises” Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures
On their new album, band goes post-apocalyptic, all while pushing the boundaries (and getting personal, too). By James Montgomery Matt Bellamy Photo: Will Ireland/ Getty Images
Katherine Jackson may have been found , but controversy and confusion continues to reign when it comes to the Jackson family these days. TMZ sources confirm that L.A. County Sheriff’s Deputies were called to the Jackson compound in Calabasas today after family members reported some kind of disturbance. A battery report was filed, but it’s unclear at the moment who was involved. No arrests were made. Sheriff deputies have reportedly been keeping an eye on the family since April because a business associate of the family claims Katherine Jackson is being mistreated by certain relatives. This dispute allegedly was connected to that assertion. Meanwhile, tension has mounted between family members because Michael Jackson’s will left all of his money and assets to his three children and the Michael Jackson Trust. No siblings were listed on the document. When Katherine Jackson was first reported missing , many believed it was somehow related to this feud – and many are still confused about why she had no contact with her grandchildren for a week. It’s all a very confusing situation, which, sadly, is commonplace at this point for the Jacksons.
