Reaction to Michael Jackson’s death is still dominating the newspapers today (July 6).
There are various claims, rumours, gossip and stories about the singer, his death, his life and the aftermath filling the tabloids. Here is a round-up of what is being said about Jackson.
Jackson to be buried without brain
The self-styled king of pop’s make-up artist Karen Faye has been given the task of making sure he looks his best for his burial – although reports indicate that the ‘Thriller’ singer will be buried without his brain, which doctors are still testing for clues about his drug use. Faye is set to apply fake eyelashes, mascara, eyeliner, translucent foundation and lipstick to Jackson‘s body, as well as his black wig, which is made entirely from real hair.
(Daily Mirror).
Ghost of Jackson seen at Neverland
Fans are claiming that recent TV footage of Jackson‘s Neverland ranch shows his ghost stalking one of the corridors. Watch the clip, from CNN‘s ‘Inside Neverland’, on YouTube.
(The Sun).
Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder, Barry Manilow for memorial service
Entertainers including Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder and Eddie Murphy are all rumoured to be attending Jackson‘s memorial service at Los Angeles‘ Staples Center tomorrow (July 7). Liz Taylor is also set to make an appearance, although the 77-year-old will be escorted by singer Barry Manilow. Reports state that two million fans applied for the 8,570 pairs of tickets to the service, which is expected to end with an all-star performance of the star’s 1992 hit ‘Heal The World’. David Bowie and US President Barack Obama are rumoured to have been invited to the ceremony.
(Daily Mirror).
Musicians including Justin Timberlake and Usher to walk down black carpet at memorial
Stars arriving at Jackson‘s memorial service will walk down a black carpet as a mark of respect towards the star. Motown icon Diana Ross is set to read Jackson‘s eulogy, while Justin Timberlake and Usher are tipped to perform tributes to the singer at the event.
(The Sun).
Funeral procession cancelled due to riot fears
A planned public funeral procession for Jackson has been cancelled after Los Angeles police warned that they may not be able to control the mass crowds set to line the city’s streets for his memorial service tomorrow (July 7). “Our biggest fear is that it will all turn to violence if things aren’t handled properly,” the unnamed police chief said. “It’s a recipe for disaster.”
(Daily Star).
eBay bans Jackson memorial ticket touts
eBay has vowed to ban any members who attempt to sell tickets to Michael Jackson‘s memorial service. Fans have criticised touts after they started selling tickets to the event online immediately after winning tickets from an online lottery draw.
(The Sun).
Joe Jackson receives death threats
The singer’s father Joe Jackson is being shielded by a £100,000 security team after allegedly receiving death threats from fans who blame him for treating his son badly and using his death to promote a new record label.
(Daily Star).
‘Jade Goody and Michael Jackson will look after each other in heaven,’ says reality TV star’s mother
Reality TV star Jade Goody‘s mother Jackiey Budden says she believes the duo are together in the afterlife, and that they will be looking out for each other. Budden, who lost daughter Goody to cancer in March, says she is currently grieving for both stars. “They’re together and I’m thinking of them every day. I know they will look after each other.” Famously, Jackson telephoned Goody to wish her well during her illness.
(Daily Star).
The Incredible Hulk: ‘Crippling debts of $400m killed Jackson’
Actor Lou Ferrigno, who played ‘The Incredible Hulk’ on TV and was friends with Jackson, says that the star could not cope with his debts, which totalled $400m. “He was under tremendous stress, so much I think it killed him,” he revealed. The actor, who had been helping Jackson get fit for his London O2 Arena residency, also revealed that the star once appeared disguised as a monster at an action hero convention he was working at. “He had a full monster-style face and nobody knew it was Michael,” Ferrigno said. “He came up to the table and was making weird noises. I just figured it was some guy who was into ‘Star Trek’, but afterwards I found out it was Michael Jackson.”
(Daily Mirror).
Children quizzed hours after death
Jackson‘s children were quizzed by social services about his drug use hours after his death. Officials wanted to know whether Prince Michael I, Paris and Prince Michael II (aka Blanket) had been exposed to the prescription drugs Jackson is now known to have taken. A source also admitted that they also enquired about Jackson‘s parenting skills, because “there are also red flags from all the family history and from Michael‘s prior involvement in molestation cases”.
(The Sun).
Doctor’s face police questioning
Up to 30 doctors and nurses are to be called in for questioning by the LAPD, relating to Jackson‘s drug use. The singer’s long-term dermatologist Arnold Klein is reportedly one of those set to face formal questioning, due to the similarity between his name and one of the aliases Jackson used on prescription forms – Omar Arnold. Jackson‘s live-in doctor Conrad Murray, who was hired by the star just 11 days before his death for £90,000 a month, is also set to face questioning. Murray was reportedly with Jackson when he died.
(Daily Star).
‘Jackson wanted to quit music for film directing,’ says friend
Film-maker Bryan Michael Stoller says Jackson was desperate to quit music in the run up to his London O2 Arena tour, in order to focus on directing films. “It was almost as if he’d lost his love for music,” Stoller said. “He wanted to move into film-making and told me it was much more important to him than his music.” He added that the duo had even formed a production company.
Stoller also gave his verdict on Jackson‘s parenting skills. “He was a great father,” he said. “The kids were always being schooled in a classroom upstairs.”
(Daily Mirror).
Death building to become tourist attraction
Plans are underway to turn the LA mansion where Jackson had his fatal heart attack into a tourist attraction. Fans are already flocking to 100 North Carolwood Drive to pay tribute to the star, and French fashion mogul Christian Audigier (who was friends with Jackson) is keen to buy the property and turn it into a full-time attraction.
(The Sun).