Debbie Rowe: Will She? Won’t She?
Perhaps Debbie Rowe could pull petals off a daisy to make this most important decision.
Rowe, in a phone conversation with NBCLA’s Chuck Henry, stated that she definitely wants custody of the two children she bore for Michael Jackson. Later, there was an on air phone call from Rowe’s attorney, Eric George, saying that contrary to what she said in the conversation with Henry she was, as yet, undecided.
Her attorney won a postponement of the guardianship hearing which was to take place on July 13. The hearing has been delayed for at least a week, which will, of course, drag out the final decision of who will be given the guardianship of the three young Jackson children. As if there wasn’t already enough turmoil in their lives.
According to Henry, after Rowe and Jackson were divorced, Rowe surrendered her parental rights but appealed that decision after Jackson was arrested in 2003 on charges of child molestation. That would seem to indicate that she may have been concerned about the safety of the children, but evidently she didn’t seek permanent custody of them. Also, according to Henry, Rowe and Jackson settled out of court in 2006. Part of the agreement allowed Rowe visitation rights. She admits that she has seen little of the children over the years.
What will be the fate of these children? Being separated, with the two oldest going to a woman who they don’t really know? Even though Rowe states she would be “willing” to take Blanket, too, there would be little chance of that happening.
In his will, Jackson requested his mother be given custody of all three children if she was still alive at the time of his death, In the event she was deceased, he wanted long-time friend Diana Ross, age 65, to be their legal guardian. While Katherine appears to be a devoted, loving grandmother and someone the children have spent much time with, her age, 79, raises the question as to how long will she be alive and able to care for them and what happens if that changes?
Fans Get Tour Of Twilight Town
Forks High School
The picture above is the high school in Forks, Washington where much of the action takes place in the box office blockbuster film Twilight, starring heartthrob Rob Pattinson and Kristen Stewart.
For $300 a couple a few lucky fans were able to attend a weekend event called: Summer School in Forks: A Twilight Symposium. They were given a tour of the town and took classes regarding the novel at Forks High. The highlight of the event was an actual prom in the Forks High Gym. Who could forget Edward holding Bella as they danced at the prom? Also in attendance at the dance were some of the more popular “Twilight” acts including the Mitch Hansen Band, the Bella Cullen Project and the Hillywood Players. The Hillywood Players did a parody video of the film which became a huge hit on YouTube. They attended the prom dressed as Bella, Jasper, Alice and Edward. “Edward”, shirt open revealing his chest, walked among the couples sniffing for a potential mate and finally chose his dancing partner. The weekend culminated in a “graduation ceremony” where those who attended were given “diplomas”.
The tiny town of Forks, population 3000, had been dependent on the lumber industry for its income. With the decline of the industry the town was struggling to stay afloat. That is, until Twilight came to Forks. Author Stephenie Meyer chose Forks as the locale for the series and, subsequently, the films were shot there. The town now has a thriving tourist industry which dosen’t seem in any danger of declining.
Business are cashing in on the Twilight craze. On shop sells lollipops that say “Bite Me” and bumper stickers that read “Warning: I Drive Like A Cullen”. A Chinese restaurant has a “Twilight Dinner” on its menu and there is another restaurant called Bella Italia and you can’t turn a corner without bumping into a cardboard cutout of Edward and Bella. Every month, thousands of people now drive through the town to experience the “Twilight” setting.
Congratulations to Stephenie Meyer for writing the series that has given millions of readers countless hours of entertainment and for helping a town come back from its own twilight.
Acting Legend Karl Malden Dies At 97
Karl Malden may best be remembered as the much loved “Lt. Mike Stone” in the 1972 television series The Streets of San Francisco with Michael Douglas as his partner “Inspector Steve Keller”. Or maybe for the American Express “Don’t Leave Home Without It” commercials. Or for that wonderful, glorious, if-you’re-gonna’-have-a-nose-have-a-nose, nose.
But this legendary actor’s career spanned more than seven decades. His career began on Broadway in 1937. Malden met famous director Elia Kazan in the late 1940s. He worked with Kazan in two movies, A Streetcar Named Desire, in 1951, and On the Waterfront in ,1954. Both Movies starred Marlon Brando. Brando won the Best Actor Award and Malden Best Supporting Actor in Streetcar.
Malden’s acting abilities allowed him to play many diverse roles. He was in several westerns, war movies and comedies. He was in a third film with Marlon Brando in 1961 as the character “Sherriff Dad Longworth” in One Eyed Jacks. Malden’s last role was on the first season of The West Wing in which he played a Catholic priest. Malden’s scene called for the use of a bible. He used the same bible as the one he used as “Father Barry” in On The Waterfront.
Malden died in his sleep at about 2:30 a.m. Wednesday according to his manager, Bud Ross. Ross was unable to say what the exact cause of death was. He did say, “It could be a combination of things. He was 97 years old”
Malden is survived by his daughters Mila and Cara, his sons-in-law, three grandchildren, four great grandchildren and his beloved wife Mona who he married in 1938. They had one of the longest successful marriages in Hollywood history.
Lest We Forget
Farrah Fawcett, golden girl of the 70’s, will be laid to rest today in a private funeral to be attended only by family and friends. Ryan O’Neal, her long time companion, was in charge of the arrangements. The couple’s son, Redmond, who is going through extensive drug therapy in a California prison, will be allowed to attend her funeral.
O’Neal, who had proposed marriage to Fawcett many times over the years finally got a “Yes” from her. Sadly, she died before the marriage ceremony could be performed. After she died, O’Neal is quoted as saying, “She gone. She now belongs to the ages”. “I told her how very much I loved her. She’s in a better place now”
In the wake of other celebrity deaths Fawcett’s passing due to a hard fought battle with cancer seems to have been overshadowed. That is a shame.
She is described by close friends as mischievous, daring, competitive, and with great wit. Close friend Joan Dangerfield, widow of comedian Rodney Dangerfield, said she faced her 2 1/2 year battle with cancer with grace. She stated, “She (Fawcett) remained kind and strong and funny even in the face of this vicious enemy. That is a lovely tribute to a beautiful woman.
Debbie Rowe Says Michael Jackson Not Biological Father of Prince and Paris
Just when you think there are no more surprises in the Michael Jackson story up pops another one.
In an article published online by the Huffington Post, Debbie Rowe claimed that Michael Jackson is not the biological father of Prince and Paris. Rowe says she was artificially inseminated. She is quoted as saying,”I was just the vessel. It wasn’t Michael’s sperm. Just like they stick the sperm up my horse, this is what they did to me. I was his thoroughbred”…
Rowe claims she will not seek custody of the two children she “vesseled” for Jackson. She says she knows she “will never see them again-I was no good. I don’t want these children in my life. My children are my animals now”.
Are these statements actually for real or are they put together from rumors that are unsubstantiated. It seems impossible to believe that anyone would actually say these things. Then again, this is the Michael Jackson story.
Attorney In Possession of Jackson Will
In the latest news regarding the estate of Michael Jackson, attorney John Branca says he is in possession of a will signed by Jackson in 2002 and that he will file it with the court within 30 days of Jackson’s death. The will allegedly says the estate, worth approximately $1 billion dollars, was left to his children, his mother and at least one charity. It leaves nothing to Joe Jackson. No other specifics have been released. It will be interesting to find out if Jackson named a permanent guardian for his children or if that didn’t occur to him as necessary.
Yesterday, a California court granted temporary guardianship of Michael Jackson’s children to his mother, Katherine. She has also petitioned the court to name her as the administrator of his estate. The court papers say that Joe and Katherine Jackson believe that their son left no valid will. Katherine Jackson asserts the assets of the estate will be used for the benefit of the children after payment of debts and expenses of the administrator (Katherine).
Joe Jackson was not named in either petition. In a statement made on CNN news commentary “No Bias No Bull” by Lisa Bloom, former anchor of Court TV, it was stratigcally important that Katherine’s name be the only one on the request for temporary guardianship of her grandchildren because “her hands are clean”. Meaning Michael Jackson didn’t accuse her of the childhood abuses he alleges were perpetrated by his father. While Katherine’s hands may have been clean it would seem that her eyes must have been blind and her ears deaf. Where was she when this abuse was going on?
If the will in Branca’s possession is found to be valid, all of yesterday’s court filings may be unnecessary. But, Joe Jackson being left out of the petition for temporary custody, control of the estate and the will if quite interesting.
Which Was More Tragic: Michael Jackson’s Death Or His Life?
For the past four days media coverage of Michael Jackson’s death has been constant. He has been portrayed as an American icon. Someone to be admired. Someone who is “adored” by millions of people many of them too young to have seen Jackson when he was at the peak of his career. TIME Magazine is going to publish a special, commemorative edition. The cover picture that will be used is from a 1992 Jackson music video, “In The Closet”. In this special issue TIME spoke with dozens of celebrities and famous people including: Jesse Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Al Sharpton, Deepak Chopra, Cheryl Crowe, Barry Gordy, John Mayer, and Nancy Reagan. All of these people will, undoubtedly, have high praise for Jackson.
There is no doubt that Jackson was a powerhouse entertainer. An extremely talented musician and showman. He was also a man who changed his face through plastic surgery so many times, beginning in 1984 when he had his first “nose job”, that, unless they saw him through those years, his family would have been hard put to recognize him. He went from a normal looking person to a grotesque caricature. The story he tells of his childhood and the physical and verbal abuse he received from his father may account for much of his behaviors, but does that excuse those behaviors?
He was also an adult male who lived (literally) in a fantasy land. A land, to which he invited young boys and shared a bed with them and, seemingly, found nothing inappropriate about it. He was a man accused, although not convicted, of child molestation. And, although he was not convicted, neither, in many people’s minds, was he exonerated.
What message is being sent in all this media hype about a seriously troubled and troubling man? Praise for the man’s work is one thing. Praise for the man is another.
Jackson Family Seeks Second Autopsy; Second Doc Of Interest to LAPD
From Smiling Kid to Lost Man
The Jackson Family is seeking a second autopsy to attempt to determine an exact cause of Michael Jackson’s death. Although the Los Angeles County Coroner said there was “no indication of foul play” the official cause of death remains undetermined.
Dr. Conrad Murray, said to be Jackson’s personal physician, claims he is not, in any way, responsible for Jackson’s death. One of Murray’s attorneys, Matt Alford, said that Murray will meet with LA Police at 4:00 p. m. and that he is definitely not being considered a suspect. The police are asking Murray for help in piecing together a timeline of yesterday’s events.
In addition, police are interested in speaking to Dr. Thome Thome concerning an “alleged indirect connection” between Jackson’s death and prescription drugs. Thome claims he is a long-time friend and manager of Jackson and had nothing to do with Jackson’s health or medications.
Due to a flood of internet inquiries regarding Michael Jackson yesterday, Twitter crashed, Google was giving errors and there was a severe slowdown of the entire Internet.
Michael Jackson’s Children’s World Becomes Even More Bizarre
It is plain to see that Michael Jackson’s children Michael Joseph, Jr. 12 or “Prince Michael, Paris Michael Katherine 11, “Paris” and Prince “Blanket” Michael II, 7, have lead far from normal lives. But, it seems certain their lives are going to become more chaotic.
Jackson and Debbie Rowe, the mother of the two oldest children, were married in 1996. Rowe was six months pregnant at the time. The couple were divorced in 1999 and Rowe, after a long custody battle, relinquished all parental rights to Jackson in exchange for, among other considerations, a $1 million home in Beverly Hills. At one time she stated the reason she had the children was “so he could become a father”. Further, Rowe was asked in court during the custody trial if she had considered what would happen to the children if Jackson died and her answer was “I’m sure he’s…he has a wonderful person in mind to take care of them”. Also asked if she understood that she had no right to care for the children she stated, “No. And I don’t want to. and…not that I don’t love them. I do. I think they’re adorable. They’re his kids. They’re his kids. They’re not my kids. They’re his kids”. That pretty much sums up her position.
”Blanket’s” mother was a surrogate and would have signed a surrogacy agreement. Surrogacy agreements contain a clause stating the surrogate will not attempt to have any relationship with the child unless the child requests it when at an age to make an informed decision.
There are also questions as to whether Jackson is actually the biological father of the three children. TV journalist Diane Diamond alledges she knows the identity of the real sperm donor but doesn’t want to reveal the information. In support of her statement she points to the fact that all three children are fair skinned and blue eyed.
There are three likely possibilities as to who will be given custody. One would be the Jackson family. They would be the people the children would most identify, and be identified, with. If a member or members of the Jackson family are given guardianship of them, the children would remain together which would be crucial to their well-being and sense of stability.
A second possibility would be Rowe. If she has any legal rights at all, they would only apply to Prince Michael and Paris. That would mean they would be separated from Blanket, a step a court would be extremely hesitant to take.
The third possibility is that Jackson has named a guardian for his children in his will. That person, or persons, would be the most likely one(s) to be granted custody of all three children.
These children obviously need to be in a stable, loving home. The question remains, whose home would that be and how soon would that happen. Hopefully a quick and amicable decision will be made.
Car Belonging To Physician With Jackson At Time Of Death Impounded
According to the 911 call placed by an unknown person present at the time of Jackson’s collapse, a physician was giving Jackson CPR. Thursday afternoon, police towed a silver BMW from Jackson’s home which they said belonged to the physician. However, the car is registered to Susan Mary Rush, who is the sister of Dr. Conrad Robert Murray, the doctor with Jackson Thursday. At this time, it has not been confirmed that Murray is Jackson’s “personal physician”. The car has been impounded in the belief it may contain crucial evidence.
Los Angeles police interviewed Murray Thursday evening and want to interview him again, hoping he will be able to provide information which would be important in helping to determine the cause of Jackson’s death. It had been reported that Murray was missing. However, it was confirmed that he is in Los Angeles and will be speaking further with police.
Jackson was given a thorough physical exam earlier this year as required for concert promoter AEG to obtain insurance coverage for his 50-show engagement at O2 Arena. It was said he passed the physical and was ready to continue with the concert plans.
An autopsy is underway to determine the cause of the seemingly sudden onset of cardiac arrest. The autopsy itself will take several hours to perform. Getting toxicology results may take much longer, possibly six to eight weeks. There are unsubstantiated rumors that the cause of the cardiac arrest may have been due to a large dose of Demerol, a very strong pain killer. LAPD have stated they have no information regarding the allegation.
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