In the ongoing saga of Michael Jackson’s Siblings vs. Michael Jackson’s Other Siblings, we used to have Jermaine, Randy, Janet, Rebbie and Tito on the “challenging the executors” aka “money grab” side, and Marlon and Jackie on the other side. (La Toya remained neutral and urged her family to keep it out of the press.) Around the time that Katherine Jackson was whisked away for an impromptu spa trip without telephone or internet access, Tito switched sides and issued a plea, along with Marlon and Jackie, to have his mother returned home to MJ’s children. Now another Jackson has switched sides. Jermaine, who was one of the three Jacksons who went to MJ’s children’s house to urge the kids to take a little trip to Arizona, has apologized for his part in that well publicized incident. He’s also withdrawing his name from the statement challenging the will and its current executors. Here’s Jermaine’s statement:

In a statement posted to Jermaine’s Twitter account, he says, “After much soul-searching, it is clearly time for us to live by Michael’s words about love not war. In this spirit, I offer this statement by way of extending an olive-branch. Accordingly, I rescind my signature from the letter which was sent to the Estate, and which should never have gone public. I still hold deep reservations about many issues involving the Estate, and I will continue to bring scrutiny and a resolute voice wherever we have cause for concern. But the way to address such matters is through the proper channels and via a private dialogue, not public conflict.”

As previously reported, Randy Jackson was responsible for hatching a family plot to overthrow Michael Jackson’s executors in an attempt to get his hands on part of the late King of Pop’s estimated $1 billion fortune. A letter demanding the executors’ resignation that was leaked to the media, was signed by Randy, Jermaine, Tito, Rebbie and Janet. Tito Jackson publicly said last week he also regretted signing the letter.

Jermaine also admits that Michael’s three children, Prince, Paris and Blanket were unable to talk to their then legal guardian, Katherine Jackson while she was away in Arizona.

“When she was away, and with the children in the responsible care of Tito’s son TJ, there was never a malicious attempt to ‘block’ the kids from talking with her. We simply worried that a call home would first entail, or lead to, conversations with individuals we are in dispute with and that would, therefore, increase pressure on Mother — and pressure was what a doctor said she didn’t need. This was why we went to the house in Calabasas to talk directly with the kids and merely discuss arrangements for them to meet with their grandmother. We were denied that access by security — and it was clear that mutual suspicions had allowed events to spiral out of control. I regret that events were ever allowed to reach such a stage. I regret any distress caused to Prince, Paris and Blanket. That was never, ever the intention of myself, Janet, Rebbie or Randy. Moving forward, the most effective way to best serve Mother’s welfare, and that of Michael’s children, is to start a collective dialogue, in private,” Jermaine revealed.

Jermaine ends the statement by saying, “Mistakes have been made and irrational things have been said on both sides in a highly-charged emotional environment. It is time for us all to draw a line in the sand and move towards peace, co-operation, love and healing. I truly hope that we can find it in our hearts to do so. Because above and beyond anything else, what matters…is family.”

[From Radar]

That was very well written and explains how the situation escalated – both sides didn’t trust the other’s intentions. (Radar has a breakdown on how Jermaine is fudging the truth, but I’m not going to get into that, you can read it there.) I’m still on “team kids,” because it seems like they were just defending themselves against an ambush, one their dad may have even prepared them for. For now they seem to be calling a truce. Paris, Prince and Blanket even went to see their uncles perform in the Unity Tour over the weekend. The Unity Tour consists of Tito, Jackie, Marlon and Jermaine Jackson, who are not-so-coincidentally all on the same side now that Jermaine has withdrawn his support from challenging the will.

Some of you have floated the theory that the executors are paying themselves exorbitant salaries and that’s why MJ’s siblings are so vocally speaking out against it. Even if that’s true, Michael made it clear that he didn’t want his brothers or sisters to get a dime. They’re fighting over money that doesn’t belong to them and probably never will. Radar recently reported that Randy, the ringleader on the money grab side, owes half a million dollars in child support. Jermaine owes child support too, to the same woman, Alejandra, since he married her and had two children with her after Randy broke up with her by marrying another woman without Alejandra’s knowledge. (You can’t make this up, read Wikipedia.) Both brothers have asked MJ’s estate to pay child support to their children from the same woman.

As for Janet’s claims that she isn’t in this for money and is just trying to show solidarity with Randy or something, US Weekly says she’s broke. In their latest issue they have source who claims Janet “has spent far more than she has made, so she needs the money.” Their source also adds that Janet isn’t a doting aunt to MJ’s kids and has “seen them maybe five times since Michael died and has no relationship with them.” Except when it comes to telling them what they should do, right?

Most of these photos are from the Unity Tour on 7-20-12. Credit: WENN.com

As you know, Tito’s son TJ Jackson, 34, was appointed temporary guardian of Michael’s three children after their grandmother Katherine disappeared for a week while under the care of some of her adult children. Katherine eventually returned, and she reportedly plans to file paperwork, in cooperation with TJ, for shared custody. (Along with presumably some of the massive cash that comes from Michael Jackson’s estate to provide for his children. A reported $86k a month.)

During Katherine’s “vacation,” there was an altercation between Janet, Randy and Micheal’s kids when Janet and Randy came to pick up the kids and bring them to Arizona to be with Katherine. The kids refused to go, their security team backed them up, and the whole incident showed just how far some members of the Jackson family were willing to go to control Micheal’s money. Well now Janet, Randy, Rebbie and Jermaine – the whole faction of Jacksons who are questioning the validity of Michael’s will and want to overthrow the estate’s executors – have been banned from the property, at TJ’s request. Here’s more, thanks to ETOnline:

Attorneys for the estate of Michael Jackson have confirmed to ET that Janet, Randy, Rebbie and Jermaine Jackson are currently prohibited from entering the Calabasas home shared by Paris, Prince, Blanket and Katherine Jackson.

Charles Shultz, an attorney for TJ Jackson, Jr. (who is temporarily sharing guardianship of Michael Jackson’s children with Katherine) helped to compile the list of persons no longer allowed on the Jackson family property in Calabasas– namely Janet, Randy, Rebbie and Jermaine Jackson.

In a statement to ET, attorneys for Michael Jackson’s estate write:

“Following the events of July 23 in which certain members of the Jackson family showed up unannounced at the Calabasas residence of Michael Jackson’s mother and children, causing a very public disturbance, the attorneys for the Estate of Michael Jackson as lessees of the house were requested by Charles Schultz, attorney for TJ Jackson, Jr., the newly appointed Temporary Guardian for Michael Jackson’s children, to send a list to the security gate of people neither TJ or the children wanted allowed on the premises in view of the incidents that had just taken place. The list may be amended and managed by TJ Jackson Jr. or the Estate when appropriate. It is imperative to the Estate that from this point forward a safe and appropriate environment be provided for Michael Jackson’s children and his mother.”

This comes just weeks after a relative reported Katherine Jackson missing, which heightened the ongoing dispute over the validity of Michael Jackson’s will — which leaves everything in the pop star’s lucrative estate to Katherine and his children. Five of Michael’s siblings recently claimed that Michael’s will was fake and they have demanded that the executors of his estate should resign.

The estate denies the allegations, which first emerged shortly after Michael Jackson died in June 2009 from an overdose of a powerful anesthetic.

[From ETOnline]

This is far from over. This isn’t just TMZ reporting that some Jacksons are barred from the home, as per an insider source, this is an official statement from the estate sending a clear message: back off.

Did you hear what Gladys Knight said about the incident in which Paris Jackson refused to let aunt Janet take away her cell phone? She said “I would think it’s a good thing [Janet] lets Paris know who she is. If [Paris] called me that, she would have no teeth. That’s how we were brought up. You respect your elders.” So she’s advocating hitting a 14 year-old girl in response to the girl swearing? I hope Gladys is basing her opinion on press reports and isn’t a close friend of Janet’s or anything. That’s despicable.

Meanwhile, Katherine is said to be “furious” with Randy for orchestrating the challenge of the will and trying to overthrow the executors. Randy is said to be the ringleader, and to have convinced Janet to join him along with Rebbie and Jermaine. (It’s allegedly not about money for Janet, but I doubt it.) Katherine didn’t realize what Randy and company were up to while she was holed up in Arizona, and is very upset that they tried to do it without her knowledge. She also is said to have told Randy to make sure this drama stays out of the press. Good luck with that. It’s not Paris’ fault for tweeting at all, someone else is putting this out there.

Oh and the judge presiding over the guardianship case for the Jackson children has called for an investigation into their care. It’s uncertain whether TJ and Katherine will be allowed to share custody, although they plan to request it.

Janet and Randy are shown outside court last fall. Janet is shown alone on 5-24-12. Credit: PCNPhotos, FameFlynet and WENN.com

Another day, more countless stories in the latest Jackson family saga. As you know, matriarch Katherine Jackson, 82, went ‘missing’ and was separated from her grandchildren for over a week. Four of Michael’s siblings are challenging his will, the same four who took Katherine to Arizona for a ‘rest.’ MJ’s children are upset that their grandmother is gone, and they refused to leave their home after a confrontation with aunt Janet, and uncles Jermaine and Randy on Monday.

The latest news is that Katherine has spoken out to the press to deny that she was missing. (video is above) She claimed, unconvincingly, that it was her idea to give up her phone for a week. She’s also been stripped of guardianship of the children, and the $86,000 a month that the MJ estate pays her for that, after a judge issued a temporary order to appoint Tito’s 34 year-old son, TJ, guardian. Here’s a breakdown of the major developments.

Katherine says she’s fine and that the trip was her choice
Katherine made a prepared statement to ABC news from the Miraval spa in Arizona where she’s been staying. She was flanked by her daughters Rebbie and Janet, her son Jermaine, Rebbie’s daughter, and a spa employee. The ABC journalist was not allowed to ask a single question. Katherine said that she’s not being held against her will, that she willingly gave up her phone, and that her assistant kept in touch with the children while she was away.

Katherine claims that the handover of guardianship is “based on lies”
Katherine is of course upset to lose guardianship, and claims the handover is “based on lies.” She seems to think it’s some kind of plot against her, and given all that’s going on with this family it may well be. She also said that someone fired the cook, the housekeepers, and the nanny while she was away. You can read her full statement here, and a video is here and above. She says she’s returning to be with her grandchildren. Radar claims Katherine won’t be returning to the rental home where she was living with her grandchildren and will be staying at “The Jackson family compound in Encino.”

According to Paris’ most recent tweets, Katherine has returned to the rental home in Calabasas where she was previously living with the children. It’s unclear if she will be staying there.

Katherine called grandchildren yesterday, sounded “drunk,” tried to replace their security team with Janet’s staff
Katherine placed a call to her grandchildren yesterday. TMZ has her calling twice, at 2am and 4am Wednesday morning. Radar doesn’t have a time frame, but also claims that Katherine sounded drugged or drunk, which is concerning since she’s a Jehovah’s Witness and they don’t drink alcohol. (At least they’re not supposed to get drunk or something.)

Radar’s source says that “When Paris spoke to Katherine last night she sounded like she was drunk. Paris repeatedly asked her, are you ok, and Mrs. Jackson was slurring her words. I was told that it appears that Katherine was given alcohol during the time she was staying at Miraval, and remember, it was stated in court today that she had recently been diagnosed with high blood pressure. Katherine is extremely upset and distraught to learn that she lost custody of the children, but is hopeful she will be re-instated as their legal guardian very shortly.”

TMZ claims Katherine called the house and tried to replace the children’s security team with Janet’s staff. Ridiculous. Here’s their story. (Update: Trent is Katherine’s nephew.)

Sources involved in the situation tell TMZ … people in the house were “alarmed and nervous” after hearing Katherine sounding heavily drugged.

In addition to attempting to 86 the security team, Katherine ordered Trent Jackson off the property. You may recall, Jackson’s security — and Trent in particular — thwarted Monday’s attempt by Randy, Jermaine and Janet to take the kids to Arizona.

Our sources say the prevailing view is that Randy and company have drugged their mom.

[From TMZ]

MJ’s kids and his three brothers who aren’t in on the scheme aren’t buying it
As we heard yesterday, Tito, Marlon and Jackie do not agree with the way that Jermaine, Randy, Janet and Rebbie have contested the will. They’re extremely concerned that they’ve been blocked from contacting their mother while she’s been in the care of their siblings. Paris recently retweeted a message from her uncle Marlon:
“I’m tired of not knowing where my mom is. I did speak with her last night but she didn’t sound like herself. I was told by Janet, Randy and Jermaine that I could not see my mom. Doctor’s order. But I see them on television with her. How come they could not call me so I could be with her as well.”

Katherine is back with her grandchildren, but may not earn guardianship back
Paris tweeted at about 11:50 pm PST that her grandmother was back. So I guess we can assume she’s returning to the rental home with her grandchildren, although it’s hard to tell what’s going on.

As for what’s next now that a temporary guardian has been appointed in Katherine’s place, TMZ claims that this whole plot to gain control of Katherine and contest the will may have backfired, because Katherine stands to lose all the perks she was getting from the estate for caring for the kids. (E! has child support at $86k a month, but TMZ claims she doesn’t get that money directly, just the ‘perks,’) Here’s their story:

The judge is now in position to strip Katherine of guardianship altogether. If that happens, the executors will almost certainly petition the court to funnel the money in TJ’s direction, since he would be caring for the children.

Katherine never had control of the money for the kids, but she enjoys a lot of the perks the kids get, and that goes away if she loses guardianship. She would still, of course, retain the allowance he personally receives from the Estate.

Short story … Randy, Jermaine, Janet and Rebbie set out to turn Katherine against the estate so she could get more money during her lifetime — money she could dole out to them — but the plot may have actually screwed Katherine.

[From TMZ]

Also, 84 year-old Joe is back! He came in from Vegas to stay in the Encino compound, not the home where the kids are living in Calabasas. I can’t with this family. This is outrageous. Janet, Rebbie, Jermaine and Randy should be ashamed of themselves. This is all about money, and it’s hard to see otherwise at all.

These photos are from April, 2012, and July and November, 2011. Credit: WENN.com

Yesterday we heard about a confrontation at the home where Michael Jackson’s children were staying. Michael’s three children: Paris, Prince, and Blanket, were confronted by their aunt Janet and uncles Jermaine and Randy, who had arrived by private plane and had attempted, unsuccessfully, to get the children to come with them to Arizona. The police were called, the children’s security force stepped in, and it all sounded pretty serious.

This incident came after the children’s court-appointed caregiver, their 82 year-old grandmother Katherine Jackson, was taken to Arizona, (seemingly without the children’s knowledge although reports vary) for over a week. Katherine’s grandchildren were unable to contact her during that time and she did not phone or text them. Randy later issued a statement that claimed Katherine was cut off from technology on doctor’s orders. It was all shady as hell, and pointed to a money grab by Michael Jackson’s siblings, who were cut out of his will in favor of Michael’s mother, and his children.

There are a lot of new developments in this story, most notably allegations of violence during that confrontation with the children along with a surveillance video that has been released. I’ll just cover the highlights and link these stories below. The gist is that some of Michael’s siblings are doing whatever they can to get their hands on his fortune, and his kids are fighting back.

Note that Michael has three sisters: Rebbie, La Toya, and Janet, and five brothers: Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, and Randy. Jermaine, Randy, Janet and Rebbie are behind the plot to overthrow the executors of MJ’s estate and signed a letter to that effect on July 17th. Tito previously supported the letter, but has since recanted. Marlon and Jackie have also come out against the letter, and LaToya has not yet made a statement.

We haven’t covered this story yet as it’s complicated, there are a lot of different versions floating around, and I was hoping it would be resolved without incident. Not so much. As you may have heard over the weekend, Michael Jackson’s mom Katherine, 82, went “missing” for over a week. Katherine is the primary caregiver for Michael’s three children: Prince, 15, Paris, 14, and Blanket, 10. A missing person’s report was filed on Katherine, an investigation ensued and has since been closed. Jermaine issued a statement that Katherine was resting in Arizona with her daughter, Rebbie, “following doctor’s orders to rest-up and de-stress, away from phones and computers.” Paris tweeted late Monday that she hadn’t spoken to her grandmother in 8 days and that “something is really off , this isn’t like her at all.”

Radar claims that the idea to whisk Katherine off for a week at “a spa” was Janet’s idea, who felt that the situation at home was too stressful for Katherine. TMZ confirms that the “chaos” at the house led to Katherine’s removal, but more than that Michael’s siblings want to challenge his will, which leaves 20% to Katherine and virtually nothing to them. E! has an article outlining all that’s at stake in this, and what would happen if Katherine was removed as the children’s guardian.

Meanwhile Michael’s children have a security team and are being cared for by a nanny. On Monday Jermaine, Randy and Janet went to Katherine’s Calabasas home in an attempt to remove the children, but security guards blocked them, Prince refused to go and the cops were called. The kids still haven’t spoken to their grandmother, according to Paris’ most recent tweets. However, paparazzi agency X17 claims that the children knew Katherine was leaving. They also have a photo of her playing Uno with family. Here’s more on the latest, thanks to Radar:

Jermaine, Randy and Janet Jackson have been barred from their mother Katherine’s Calabasas home after attempting to remove their brother Michael’s three children from the house on Monday, RadarOnline.com is exclusively reporting.

The situation adds to the ongoing drama with the Jackson family, as Katherine has been in Arizona for more than a week and hasn’t spoken to her grandchildren, of whom she is the legal guardian. “It was just total chaos when Jermaine, Randy and Janet descended on the house.

“Randy was telling Prince Michael he had to leave with them and that he had a private jet chartered to take them all to Arizona to see Katherine. Prince firmly held his ground and told Randy he wasn’t going anywhere with them. The security detail prevented the three of them from taking the kids out of state. The cops had to be called and Janet kept saying they had a legal right to be at the house when in fact they don’t. The rental house is in the name of Michael Jackson’s estate, so they were told to leave immediately. For the time being, they won’t be allowed to come back to the rental house and guards at the security gate have been told under no circumstances are they to allow them in. Paris was absolutely hysterical and kept telling her uncles to just bring her grandmother home,” a source close to the situation tells RadarOnline.com.

“The plan to take the kids out of the house was going to be a publicity stunt. The kids were going to be paraded into the house in Arizona where Katherine is staying and those photos would be published on a website favored by Randy Jackson.”

As previously reported Janet was behind Katherine’s removal from her home to Arizona, after becoming adamant that her mom needed bed rest and to be checked out by an independent doctor. And a source has revealed that Katherine is doing just fine.

“Katherine is very well,” a family member told RadarOnline.com. “Janet was behind the whole thing – she felt that Katherine needed medical help and was desperate for her to get some bed rest.”

“Michael’s children are being cared for by their nanny and legal options are being explored about ensuring their safety. The children are very, very smart and they are surrounded by excellent bodyguards that won’t allow anything unsavory to happen to them. The kids just want their grandmother back, and want the family drama to end. Now that Paris and Prince are old enough, they understand why Michael didn’t have much of a relationship with anyone in the family except for Katherine,” the source says.

[From Radar Online]

What a mess this is, and how unfair it is to the kids. They lost their dad, and now their aunts and uncles are trying to take their grandmother from them in order to get their mitts on their late dad’s money. They’ve been placed in a very tough spot, and good for them for standing their ground. From the interviews I’ve seen with Paris, she comes across as very mature and even humble. I hope those kids stick together and refuse to be manipulated. They should inherit their dad’s money as he intended, but obviously their relatives want it for themselves.

As for Katherine’s health, she was at “a spa” not a hospital. Paris tweeted some insight about her grandmother’s condition. “the same doctor that testified on behalf of dr murray saying my father was a drug addict (a lie) is caring for my grandmother… just saying.” What kind of doctor cuts their patient off from a phone or Internet for over a week? Who prevents their own mother from contacting the kids she’s supposed to be caring for? Maybe I’m wrong, maybe there’s more going on behind the scenes than we know, but it looks like a money grab from here.

These photos are from 1-26-12. Credit: WENN.com and FameFlynet

Jermaine Jackson’s concert in memory of his murdered brother Michae will now be postponed until next year, and the venue has been changed from Vienna to London. What’s more is that most of the artists he claimed in his press conference on Tuesday on were confirmed for the show have issued statements that they’re not actually confirmed.

The big-on-talk but short-on-delivery Michael Jackson tribute concert scheduled to take place in Vienna later this month has been postponed to June 2010 and relocated to London, with Jermaine Jackson blaming the move on scheduling conflicts with would-be headliners.

Organizers had been taken to task for its less than all-star lineup—25 acts were promised, only 13 had been named and arguably the three biggest, Chris Brown, Mary J. Blige and Natalie Cole, weren’t exactly locked in.

“Numerous stars were just not able to change their schedules to make a live appearance at the Vienna event possible,” Jackson said this morning.

“Now we have eight months to put this monumental show together and not just eight weeks.”

[From E!]

Jermaine now has eight months to perfect that proposed ghastly virtual duet with his brother. Paula Abdul dancing with MC Skat Cat would be less inappropriate. At least get Janet to handle that portion!

The problem is that most of the musicians Jermaine claimed had signed up for the tribute concert have issued statements to the contrary. You know it’s bad if you can’t land Ike Turner protege Chris Brown. That bitch is lucky to be scheduling Home Depot openings at this point.

Blige’s publicist says she has another commitment. A person close to the situation told The Associated Press in Los Angeles that Brown won’t perform either and a spokeswoman for Natalie Cole suggested she, too, is iffy.

[From AP]

Why are the Jackson family’s activities always so shady? Couldn’t they at least pull this one off without looking sketchy? How about approaching the artists FIRST, or was Jermaine trying to guilt them into appearing? Any business person worth their weight knows that you secure the contracts first before shooting your mouth off. Yes, everyone loved Michael, or at least respected his contribution to popular entertainment, but the rest of his family isn’t going to inspire that sort of devotion. As we can see from Jermaine’s business dealings, they’re not entirely above-board. I just feel sorry for ticket holders at this point.

Jermaine Jackson is shown at a press conference in London on 9/9/09. Credit: WENN.com

Yesterday Jermaine Jackson held a press conference in which he announced the supposedly confirmed musicians for the Michael Jackson tribute concert to be held in Vienna, Austria on September 26. Jermaine’s public statement was no doubt meant to quell some of the speculation over the fact that tickets, which run from a steep $91 – $745 USD, are not refundable based on whether certain artists show up or not.

Many tongues were clucking over the fact that Jermaine announced that known abuser Chris Brown was among the acts that would perform. The only thing that might hold convicted felon Brown back could be his criminal case, according to Jermaine. “He wants to be here. It’s just up to what he’s going through with his court case right now… He’s definitely going to be here.” Other artists confirmed to perform are Mary J. Blige, Akon, and Natalie Cole. Stevie Wonder, R. Kelly and Maroon 5 might appear, according to Jermaine, but it sounds less than certain. Now we can add Chris Brown to the artists that haven’t confirmed yet. Brown’s rep told E! Online that his client has in no way committed to the memorial concert, and it sounds like the money isn’t right, or he’s been advised not to go. Shocker – someone is telling Brown he can’t do something:

The “Forever” singer has put the kibosh on any plans to perform at the M.J. tribute concert in Vienna, hours after Jermaine Jackson announced Brown would be among the headliners at the Sept. 26 show.

“Chris is not confirmed to perform or participate in any capacity for this show,” the publicist for Brown’s label tells E! News…

There was no immediate comment from organizers of the Jackson tribute, but Jermaine’s definitely got some ‘splaining to do.

[From E! Online]

Michael Jackson will be making some kind of appearance, though, most likely in the form of a projected hologram, judging from the concert organizer’s kind of creepy comments. Organizer says that Jermaine will be doing a duet with his late brother, and we can all look forward to seeing Michael on stage again. Tasteless:

Brother JERMAINE will sing a duet with the late King Of Pop, who will be brought back to life through cutting-edge technology, at the event in Austria later this month.

And the 54-year-old broke down when discussing how he is yet to adequately grieve for his brother’s passing.

Georg Kindel, organiser of the show which will take place in Vienna, Austria on September, 26 said: “What we are going to do is to bring Michael, for one last time, on stage again.

“It will be the surprise of the evening. Michael will reappear on stage for one time and will sing a song together with his brother Jermaine Jackson.

“It will be a magic moment for millions of fans around the world who love his music.”

[From The Sun]

I guess if there was any doubt that Jermaine was doing this in honor of the almighty dollar, and not to honor his late little brother, it’s been erased now. We saw Celine Dion do a live duet with an Elvis hologram on American Idol in April, 2007. That was pretty incredible and it looked real. It didn’t seem exploitative because Elvis has been resting in peace for decades and Celine is an accomplished enough musician that it didn’t seem gimmicky. Jermaine, on the other hand, isn’t a small percentage as successful as his dead brother in whose honor he’s supposedly holding this concert.

Jermaine Jackson is shown at a press conference in London yesterday. Look at that garish diamond watch and diamond tennis bracelet he’s sporting. Credit: WENN.com

Now that the extended Jackson family is relevant again – well, some of them anyway – many of the siblings are naturally trying to work their temporary fame while they can. And what better way to do that than “Dancing with the Stars?” LaToya is hoping to capitalize on her family’s dancing cred by joining up with the show this next season.

After the sudden death of younger brother Michael Jackson in June, La Toya Jackson found herself back in the spotlight — and it looks like she might stay there.

A source close to La Toya tells Usmagazine.com exclusively that she has been approached to compete on the next season of Dancing With the Stars.

“[La Toya is] in serious discussions to join the show,” the source tells Us.

The source adds that the hit ABC show has put out a firm offer for her to be a contestant on the ninth installment and La Toya is just deciding what she wants to do.

“She’s a big fan of the show, and being from a musical family, it would be a good fit,” her rep said when contacted by Us.

[From Us Weekly]

Well of course LaToya is a big fan of the show. What else does she have to do on a Tuesday night? I’m sorry, I know I’m supposed to be gentle with her right now, but after years of vague LaToya jokes, it’s hard to just switch over. I’ve only watched the show here and there, but it seems like the celebrities take it really seriously. They always look so emotional and stressed. I mean it’s just for fun guys. But it sort of makes me wonder if it might be too much pressure for LaToya right now. She’s just lost her brother –joining up with an upbeat dancing show might be a bit much. On the other hand, it would give her something else to focus on, so I guess it could go either way.

Interestingly enough, LaToya is not the only possible DWTS contestant with a Jackson connection. Jermaine Jackson, who’s certainly one of the more media-courting Jacksons, wants to be a contestant, and thinks he has the chops to win. Also throwing his hat in the ring is Lou Ferrigno, who used to be Michael’s friend and trainer.

Lou Ferrigno, Jackson’s personal trainer and the onetime star of “The Incredible Hulk,” said he’d “definitely be interested” and has been in talks to join the show.

… And finally, brother Jermaine Jackson, never one to let an opportunity pass him by, is throwing his hat in the ring.

“He doesn’t just think he should be on the show, he thinks he could win it all. It’s not as if he doesn’t know how to work an audience,” said a source close to Jackson. “It’s also a steady job for a while. He hasn’t had any traction with the other projects and reunion shows he’d hoped for. This could be great for him.”

[From the Scoop]

While she’s not a Jackson – as far as I know – Paula Abdul is also being courted as a contestant. She’d be great, though she used to be a choreographer and obviously has a lot of dance experience. As a result, she might be too good to start with – a lot of the fun is watching the contestants improve. But she’d bring with her a lot of fans and performing competition experience. And it’d be fun for her to thumb her nose at Simon on another show.

Here’s LaToya Jackson and Christian Audigier outside Mr Chow in Beverly Hills on August 3rd. Images thanks to Fame Pictures .