In an interview with Matt Lauer of the "TODAY" show, Jermaine says mounting allegations that Michael died due to drug use are "very damaging" to the family who is still grieving.
- Jul 3, 2009
AceShowbiz - Jermaine Jackson had an exclusive interview with Matt Lauer of the "TODAY" show on Thursday, July 2, during when he asked media to stop speculating about the cause of Michael Jackson's sudden death. Sitting down on the grounds of Neverland Ranch for an in-depth interview about the late icon, Jermaine said on-going claims that his younger brother died of drug use are "very damaging" to his grieving family.
"For people to come forward and say things that they don't have the facts to is very damaging to the family, to me, to us, because we don't know. After having the physical and proved to be completely healthy..." he stated. Asked what if the allegations turn out to be true, the elder Jackson replied, "I would be hurt because Michael has always been a person who was against anything like that, but I'm not saying it's right because it's not right, but in this business, the pressure, the things that you go through, you never know. I really don't know (if he was taking drugs), but I do know that Michael was always concerned about everybody, and to have that burden on your shoulders, and to have that pressure ... I don't know."
Speaking further about Michael, Jermaine had nothing but praise. He said, "Michael is a gift from Allah, and He is taking him back. The world didn't appreciate him. The world loved him, and certain people, certain industries didn't appreciate him, and in his time on this Earth he did good. He wanted good for everyone. He saw the good in even people that claimed to be bad. But he wanted to change things, so the message is through his songs, through his lyrics, his actions, going to hospitals, going to orphanages, trying to cure children, trying to bring enlightenment."
Jermaine added, "There is nothing to be compared to this, 'cause we lost our brother, our hero. The world is mourning. We are mourning. The fans are mourning. It is unreal. Unbelievable."
