You know how LaToya Jackson was always considered the most messed up, crazy Jackson? Then Michael passed away and we were supposed to act like we didn’t think that about her. But it’s been about four months, and LaToya has spent much of that time thoroughly enjoying the attention of the press. So it’s time to throw out the kid gloves and say it: LaToya is still crazy.

First off, she thinks it’s totally appropriate to share with the world that Michael’s three children are in therapy. And then go into specifics about what each of their issues are. Heaven forbid we keep anything to ourselves here. Secondly, LaToya honest-to-goodness believes in ghosts, and thinks she’s being haunted/visited by Michael. I guess “haunted” isn’t the right word because that implies it’s unwelcome – and she’s totally encouraging it. But “visited” is a little too “I just stopped by to drop off this casserole.” It’s somewhere in between the two.

First, the details of the Jackson children’s personal sadness, courtesy of Aunt LaToya.

Four months after the death” of their father Michael Jackson, his kids Paris, 11, Prince 12, and Blanket, 7, have turned to therapy to cope with their grief, Michael’s sister LaToya Jackson tells London’s Mirror newspaper. “Prince just doesn’t want to speak about it,” LaToya said. “I do worry about him very much.”

Meanwhile, his sister Paris “thinks and talks about her father all the time. She’s doing very well, writes a lot and she wears his shirts every day,” she said. “They still smell of him and it helps her feel close to him.”

Michael’s youngest child, Blanket, “is just a very sad, shy little boy,” LaToya said. “He cries – he really does cry. It’s so painful for him. No one can bring his daddy back and it hurts so much. They all go to therapy and I truly hope Prince especially will be able to open up.”

LaToya says the whole family is rallying around to raise the kids the way Michael would have wanted. The children, who are home schooled, watch no more than two hours of television a day, limited to the Disney Channel and Nickelodeon. And in an effort to keep the traditions they shared with their father, a huge Christmas celebration is being planned.

“Paris doesn’t know it but she has all the makings of a star,” says LaToya. “If she wants to go into showbiz I can see that happening. The boys like the idea of directing, which is what Michael wanted to do. Kids are resilient. He gave them so much love and that is helping them.”

[From People]

Of all the awful ways the Jackson family has tried to use Michael’s death for publicity, this one bothers me as much as the worst of them. Maybe the most. Children grieving for their dead father – that stuff is beyond private. And to think an aunt would repeat that. Whatever was said to LaToya, whether it came from the children directly or another relative, it wasn’t meant to be passed on to The Mirror. Those kids will never trust her. Using the death of their father to get some press. Despicable.

But it’s hard to hold LaToya completely responsible, since she is clearly 100% insane.

La Toya said, “When I go to his house I say, ‘Hello, Michael. How are you? If you’re here, please, please let me know’. And the lights start blinking. I can feel him. I can smell his Tom Ford cologne and I’ve felt him brush past me. It’s the most wonderful feeling and the biggest smile comes over my face. I tell him I love him so much and ask him to show me he’s here again. The lights blink again. I know he’s there, answering me and knowing he’s watching me is a huge comfort. I never believed that people could speak, hear and communicate in that sense. But I’ve witnessed it several times now and I want to investigate it further. I am certainly open-minded to speaking to a medium. No other members of the family have experienced it. Just me.”

[From the Mirror via Dlisted]

You know why you might still smell his cologne? Because that scent can linger for a long, long time, depending on the fabrics and whatnot. Most homes have their own smell, and it’s a combination of a lot of things, perfumes and colognes being a big part of it. Rarely is it indicative of a ghost. In fact I think the theory goes that ghosts don’t smell, since they don’t have corporeal form. When he brushed past you? That was probably your hair. I’ve startled myself a few times. Of course I didn’t instantly think “Michael Jackson’s ghost!” but more “Ahhhh, a bug!” only to realize it was my hair. And if the lights are blinking, it’s time to pay the electric bill. Just a thought. LaToya until you actually see him, assume you’re crazy. It’s the safest bet; that’s why the rest of us go with it.

Here’s LaToya shopping on Rodeo Drive on October 23rd. Images thanks to Fame Pictures .

I’ve often found myself pondering, “What would [insert various celebrity’s name here] taste like as a milkshake?” In case you’re wondering, Paris Hilton tastes like blueberries and whipped air. Lindsay Lohan tastes like a milkshake with an egg added – one of those orangish brown one with speckles all over. Heidi Montag tastes like one with whipped cream – and nothing else. No substance whatsoever under the top. Tila Tequila tastes like a scrunched up kiwi. Or maybe scrunched is what happens to your face when you drink your Tila Tequila shake.

Now I was pretty sure La Toya Jackson would taste like raspberries, orange syrup, and chocolate flecks – and be served in a frosted glass. But apparently La Toya is much more complicated than that. Complex, if you will. And now she’s donating her time and culinary skills at Millions of Milkshakes, where she’s designed her own freaking disgusting combination.

Her milk shake brings all the funds to the cause? With any luck, yeah. La Toya Jackson’s first attempt to honor her late brother’s legacy was a musical one. Next up in her tribute tour: a Michael Jackson-honoring milk shake.
She turned up at West Hollywood’s Millions of Milkshakes last night and, like Miley Cyrus, Lindsay Lohan and the Kardashians before her, concocted an eponymous ice cream beverage that will be available for a limited run through Oct. 31.

Proceeds from the drink (strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, skittles, mixed nuts, caramel, whipped cream and a Cadbury flake, for what it’s worth) will be donated to the AIDS Project Los Angeles, as AIDS research was one of Michael’s chief causes.

La Toya herself will be back in the store on Halloween to serve customers—at least some of whom are bound to show up in inappropriately themed King of Pop costumes.

[From E! News]

Raspberries and a frosted glass? Why did I imagine something so comparatively refined and elegant (as milkshakes go) for La Toya? I looked at a few pictures of her and noticed she tends to wear a lot of frosted makeup, and her lips are often done in berry shades. But I clearly forgot the obvious (nuts), or the fact that nothing goes better with THREE different kinds of berries than a candy flavored like a variety of angry psychedelic fruits.

La Toya’s definitely grabbing at her chance for attention, and I feel like I need to allow her that right now. I do find this Millions of Milkshakes concept in general to be really strange. Maybe it’s because I live in New York and we’re not really a milkshake and/or smoothie town. Though we’ve got gourmet cupcakes in spades. I just can’t imagine people lining up for milkshakes in the vast quantities you’d think, based on how much attention Millions of Milkshakes receives. Of course it’s not a bad idea to pile in as many celebrities as possible. Could anyone forget Lindsay Lohan’s infamous and unhygienic Millions of Milkshakes sideboob? La Toya’s shake sounds a lot better now, huh?

Here’s La Toya and her super tight pants at Millions of Milkshakes in West Hollywood, very theatrically making her own celebrity flavored milkshake yesterday. Images thanks to Fame Pictures .

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 .