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King of Pop’s legacy ‘will continue through his music’

Published:Monday | June 24, 2019 | 12:24 AM
In this Tuesday, June 18, 2019 photo, entertainment and corporate lawyer John Branca, the co-executor of Michael Jackson’s estate, poses in his office, at the law firm of Ziffren Brittenham LLP in Los Angeles, next to an artwork presented to him from Sony Music commemorating the sale of 100 million copies of Michael Jackson’s album ‘Thriller’. .
AP
In this Tuesday, June 18, 2019 photo, entertainment and corporate lawyer John Branca, the co-executor of Michael Jackson’s estate, poses in his office, at the law firm of Ziffren Brittenham LLP in Los Angeles, next to an artwork presented to him from Sony Music commemorating the sale of 100 million copies of Michael Jackson’s album ‘Thriller’. .

Janet Jackson says her brother Michael Jackson’s legacy “will continue” through his music.

The 53-year-old star has chosen not to comment on the controversial Finding Neverland documentary, which features allegations from Wade Robson and James Safechuck that the King of Pop sexually abused them as children.

But the Control hitmaker has no doubt that the Thriller singer, who died in 2009, will always be adored by his fans because of the “impact” he and the Jackson family have had on the world.

In a rare interview, Janet told The Sunday Times magazine: “It [Michael’s legacy] will continue.

“I love it when I see kids emulating him, when adults still listen to his music. It just lets you know the impact that my family has had on the world.

“I hope I’m not sounding arrogant in any way – I’m just stating what is.

“It’s really all God’s doing, and I’m just thankful for that.”

Janet and Michael’s siblings, Tito, Marlon and Jackie Jackson, and his nephew Taj, have defended Michael.

Tito’s son Taj, 45, claimed that the family did not wish to “put more energy” into the claims against their late relative because they don’t want to draw any more attention to the documentary.

During their appearance on ‘CBS This Morning’, Taj said: “There’s a fear to put more energy to it and more eyeballs to it.

“That’s why Janet (his aunt) hasn’t said anything, because she doesn’t want to make it any bigger.”

The siblings stated that they know the Man in the Mirror hitmaker was not a sexual predator and accused the Channel 4 documentary, which aired in March, of spinning lies.

Tomorrow, June 25, marks the 10-year anniversary of the passing of Michael Jackson, known as the King of Pop. Jackson died of cardiac arrest, aged 50, at his rented mansion in Los Angeles. He was rehearsing for a series of comeback concerts in London, to revive his career, following his almost reclusive lifestyle after a 2005 acquittal on charges of molestation.

In 2011, Dr Conrad Murray, Michael Jackson’s personal physician at the time of his death, was sentenced to four years for involuntary manslaughter by a Los Angeles court over the singer’s death. Jackson’s hits include Beat It, They Don’t Care About Us, Thriller, Black Or White, and Billie Jean, and his one-gloved stage presence and innovative dance moves were imitated by fans around the globe.

His lifetime record sales tally is believed to be around 750 million, which, added to the 13 Grammy Awards he received, made him one of the most successful entertainers of all time.

Michael Jackson was born on August 29, 1958, in Gary, Indiana, the seventh of nine children. Five Jackson boys – Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael – first performed together at a ­talent show when Michael was six. They walked off with first prize and went on to become a best-selling band, The Jackson Five, and then The Jacksons.