"I'm not encouraging them to do nothing. They have to be what they are, kids at the moment," says the older Jackson when denying reports of him planning to turn the kids into entertainers.
- July 22, 2009
AceShowbiz -
Previous reports claiming Joe Jackson wants to turn Michael Jackson's kids, especially Paris Michael Katherine Jackson and Prince Michael Jackson II a.k.a. Blanket, into entertainers are not true. "I'm not encouraging them to do nothing. They have to be what they are, kids at the moment," Joe said in an interview with "Larry King Live" on Monday, July 20.
On the same occasion, Joe also set the record straight on mounting claims that he abused his late son Michael, who died June 25 at age 50 after suffering cardiac arrest. "I never abused my son," Joe insisted. "Michael was never beaten."
In further interview, Joe claimed he didn't know the location of Michael's remains, adding he believed "foul play" took part on his son's death despite the fact that he has not yet seen any results from the private autopsy performed on Michael's body at the behest of the family. "The doctor gave him something to make him rest and he don't wake up no more. Something is wrong," said the older Jackson when referring to Michael's private physician Dr. Conrad Murray.
Speculation on Joe Jackson planning to turn Paris Michael Katherine Jackson and Prince Michael Jackson II into entertainers first emerged earlier this month after he expressed his strong belief in an interview on ABC's "Good Morning America" that both kids could have bright futures should they try their hands in showbiz. "I don't know - I keep watching Paris," Joe said at that time. "She ... wants to do something .... As far as I can see, well, they say Blanket, he can really dance. That's what they're saying. He can really dance."
