Michael Jackson’s family would encourage his children to become “performers”.

The late ‘Thriller’ star’s three kids – Prince Michael, 13, Paris, 12, and eight-year-old Prince Michael II, known as Blanket – are under the care of his mother Katherine Jackson and are already showing strong signs of the same musical talents of their famous father and his brothers, who formed the Jackson 5 when they were children.

Michael’s brother Marlon Jackson revealed: “I truly believe that God blessed this family with the gift of music to make people happy all over the world.

“If the children want to become performers, that’s fine with me and my mom, but they also have to get an education.”

Although the children are primarily looked after by Katherine, the rest of the Jackson family are also heavily involved in their care, with Michael’s sister Janet Jackson taking a particular interest in their welfare.

Michael’s brother Tito Jackson added to In Touch magazine: “Janet will do anything that she feels is necessary for her niece and nephews.”

The two elder children’s mother, the ‘Billie Jean’ hitmaker’s second wife Debbie Rowe has virtually no contact with them, while Blanket’s mother is unknown.

Source: BANG Showbiz

Music producer David Gest – a close friend of the late ‘Beat It’ singer – is demanding damages from Julien’s Auction House for attaching ‘from the collection of David Gest’ to items they sold shortly after the pop icon’s death in June and has enlisted the star’s sibling to boost his case.

David claims he never owned many of the auctioned goods – including a Platinum RIAA Record Award for the album ‘Thriller’ – and that he never gave the auction house permission to use his name.

Speaking in support of David, Tito said: “I am amazed an auction house like Julien’s Auctions would use David Gest’s name to sell an item that was not his.

“There are a number of the items that they listed in their Michael Jackson catalogue on June 26th and 27th that never even belonged to David Gest.

“I will also testify in court that this RIAA Award Disc for Thriller Presented to Steve Manning never belonged to David Gest”.

Lots at the auction included a signed Jackson 5 album, which was expected to fetch up to $600 at the auction, but sold for $33,750, and a childhood painting done by Michael of Mickey Mouse and Pluto, which sold for $25,000, 25 times more than expected.

David said: “So much for the statement by Julien’s Auctions’ lawyer that they are ‘good honest folks’.

“I’m sure this will open the door for many others to question items they have sold.”

Steve Manning, a former publicist for the Jackson 5, has also pledged to give evidence if the case comes to court.

Julien’s Auctions’ denies any wrongdoing and Darren Julien, who runs the auction house, has filed a federal lawsuit to ask the judge to see through David’s legal action.

Source: BANG Showbiz