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Michael Jackson attacks family in secret tapes

Monday, 21 September 2009

Michael Jackson's daughter Paris cries as she speaks at the memorial service for her father at the Staples Center in Los Angeles

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Secret tapes have emerged in which Michael Jackson speaks frankly about life in a big family - including some blistering attacks.

According to British newspaper, the 'News of the World', the singer, who died in June, brands his brothers in the Jackson 5 as lazy moaners who depended on him to make the money.

On another of the tapes -- intended for the ghost writer of his autobiography -- Jacko admits he was disappointed in mum Katherine (78), for giving a press interview about him, adding: "I don't like her to talk. It's none of those people's business."

Even his favourite sister, Janet, came in for criticism. She left home to marry pop producer James DeBarge in 1984. Within a year, their marriage was over. "Janet is a tomboy. That is why it kills me to see her off and married."

Janet may get off lightly, but Jacko's 80-year-old father, Joe -- who beat him as a child -- gets both barrels. He would sit in a chair with a belt or a switch and we'd do our performance. And if we messed up he hit you. I never have felt close to him."

On his brothers, Jackson says: "They thought I was naive, soft and sweet and wimpy, but I wasn't. It was me who went to Berry Gordy (Motown's chief) and said, 'We're gonna leave'.

"I am the captain of my ship."

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I'd be willing to bet my life that this is rubbish. OR taken way out of context. OR blown WAY out of proportion, like anything else concerning MJ. He was humble, sensitive and so kind. I can't imagine him saying that about his mother or his brothers. Its tabloid trash like this that ruined the last 10 years of his career. You should be ashamed of yourselves for even publishing this and hurting his surviving family members.. And where are these alleged videos? If it was true they'd be plastered all over the internet in minutes. Get over yourselves.

I don't doubt they had their spats - but who cares? Every family does. If you have a dysfunctional family, it just means you're normal. God rest your soul MJ xx

Posted by MJfan | 22.09.09, 10:54 GMT

Thank you, Stuart Ashton, for pointing out so eloquently Michael Jackson full name. Just today I wrote a letter to a local TV station addressing the same issue. Michael stood up for the whole world, and I am always going to stand up for him, his dignity and honour. Long live the King!

Posted by dar | 22.09.09, 05:31 GMT

Uhhh...o.k. , so what! Not news worthy. Everyone has complaints in their family, right? So whats the big deal???

Posted by kayldouble-u | 21.09.09, 21:41 GMT

So what, we do it all the time.

Posted by Kayembe | 21.09.09, 19:44 GMT

When are you going to learn that his name was Michael and not Jacko and most certainly not Wacko Jacko.

The Telegraph does not belong in the gutter alongside the tabloid crap (names are witheld) so please have some respect for one of the greatest humanitarians ever to have lived. Receiving accurate news is a right of everyone and when news comes to the simple basics of making a profit..... well that is a crying shame.

Posted by Stuart Ashton | 21.09.09, 17:48 GMT

I don't see this is an attack. Anyone who has read MJ biography would know about these FACTS. It's normal for members in any big family including the Kennedy, to have disputes and conflicts. MJ did not attach his family, he simply just told the truth and how he felt about the situations at the time. That's what biography is supposed to be. Stop making such misleading headlines.

Posted by ng | 21.09.09, 17:33 GMT

You people in the media is calloused and heartless. The Jackson family just lost a son, a brother, a father, and an uncle. Can't you just let them have some private moments to mourn for Michael Jackson? What is the purpose of digging up what is supposed to be private tapes from 20 years ago? Are you trying to cause a family feud by turning the Jacksons against each other? How would you like it if someone does that to you? Michael Jackson has three young children as well as many young nieces and nephews, so please be considerate. Besides, in the last decade, Michael has come to forgiven his family and they had a great relationship before his passing.

Posted by Natalie | 21.09.09, 16:48 GMT

I am glad Michael stood up for himself and he wasn't a weakling like many people thought. His brothers and his father did try to use him for their own motives and I am glad he didn't let them. He is a person with opinions of his own about his family just like anyone else. I have criticised my family but that does not mean I don't love them. Lay off of him. Some things should be left private. My goodness, can't the guy say anything that will not be brought to the public's attention. Thank God he is in a better place. Think of his grieving family and children!! I hope no one plays a tape about what I said about each member of my family after my funeral. RIP Michael.

Posted by Tony | 21.09.09, 14:54 GMT

Please, let MJ rest in peace!

Rather he did or didn't say these things, in which we need concrete proof, old media gossip needs to STOP, it is only hurting his family and his kids.

Does anyone who is trying to "cash in" on MJ's legacy ever think about his kids and how all this effects them?

Please...MJ had enough heart -ache while he was living, can't everyone just let him rest in peace and stop this "Jacko" slander? I know Jermaine said he hated to called that.

MJ loved Europe and yet the media there tore him down and still does.

Please, stop all this negative stuff and let's focus on his Humanitarian efforts and think of his kids!

LOL,
Cindy from Texas

Posted by Cindy | 21.09.09, 13:31 GMT

This article is just another journalist's attempt to make a buck from selling a negative story about Michael Jackson. Sickening. . .so what if he had some conflicts with his family. We all have to suffer through those. He loved and forgave his family. Why don't you concentrate on the positive. . . .because the negative sells better? Sickening. . . .I've lost my respect for many journalists over the Michael Jackson tragedy.

Posted by Judith | 21.09.09, 13:00 GMT