Joe Jackson: Michael Had Secret Son

PopEater
posted: 4 DAYS 19 HOURS AGO
comments: 1034
filed under: Gut Reactions, Music News
PRINT|E-MAILMORE
Text SizeAAA
Amid speculation that Michael Jackson's young protege might actually be his child, Joe Jackson spoke publicly about the rumors confirming Michael had a secret son: 25-year-old Omer Bhatti. In an interview with NewsOne, Jackson bluntly admits, "Yes, I knew he had another son."
Skip over this content
Omer Bhatti
Harrison Funk, WireImage

Omer Bhatti, a protoge of Michael Jackson, is seen here in the front row of Jackson's memorial.

Bhatti came into the spotlight after he sat next to the Jackson family during the memorial at the Staples Center. "He looks like a Jackson, he acts like a Jackson, he can dance like a Jackson... this boy's a fantastic dancer," Jackson said.
The interviewer dug deeper asking if Bhatti would be carrying on The King of Pop's legacy. "I don't know. I can't say that yet until I see it happen," Jackson joked.
Skip over this content
According to the L.A. Times, Bhatti was spotted around Neverland ranch and often traveled with the singer. He was also living at Neverland when authorities raided the estate in 2003 looking for evidence of child molestation.
Now multiple media outlets, including the Huffington Post allege that "Michael reportedly told close friends several years ago that Omer was the result of a one-night stand he had with a Norwegian fan, Pia Bhatti, in 1984." Bhatti is also said to be seeking a DNA test to determine whether Jackson is in fact his father.
Jermaine Jackson told reporters if the DNA tests prove Bhatti is Michael's son, he would be welcomed into the family. "If Omer's his son, he's his son. We won't deny it. We are going to give him the same love and care that we give Prince and Paris and Blanket. I can't clearly say if he is Michael's but I saw this kid around him," he told UK's Daily Mail.
Skip over this content
Follow Us on Twitter Friend Us on Facebook
Reports last week claimed Bhatti was just a friend. The two allegedly connected in the mid-'90s, when Bhatti was making headlines as a brilliant Jackson impersonator at the young age of just 11 years old.
Ricky Harlow, a musician who was on Michael Jackson's record label, says that everyone knew Bhatti as 'Little Michael,' and Michael referred to him as 'Little Monkey.' Harlow says that both he and Bhatti spent many weeks at Neverland Ranch together with Jackson.
Still, Harlow says the rumors and reports that Bhatti is possibly Jackson's child just don't make any sense. "They had a father-and-son type of connection, but I never thought he was his biological father. They met when Little Michael did a contest impersonating Michael Jackson in Europe in the mid-1990s, and Michael saw it and was blown away and got in contact with the family," Harlow says.
Skip over this content

Memorable Michael Moments

    Michael Jackson starred as the Scarecrow in the 1978 film 'The Wiz.'

    Tom Zimberoff, Getty Images

    Oprah Winfrey interviewed Jackson in February of 1993.

    AP

    Time showed off an Andy Warhol portrait on a 1984 cover at the height of his 'Thriller' popularity.

    Time & Life Pictures / Getty Images

    Michael Jackson is photographed with Brooke Shields in 1988.

    Ron Galella, WireImage

    Michael Jackson hit the court with Michael Jordan during the video shoot for 'Jam' in 1992.

    FOX / AP

    Jackson attends a Pepsi press conference on February 3, 1992. Jackson accepted the largest individual sponsorship deal in history from Pepsi-Cola in 1983.

    Steve Allen, Liaison / Getty Images

    Jackson performs during the halftime show at the Super Bowl XXVII in Pasadena in 1993. The halftime show was a ratings smash.

    Rusty Kennedy, AP

    Jackson and his wife Lisa Marie Presley kiss on the stage of Radio City Music Hall at the 1994 MTV Video Music Awards. "And they said he wouldn't last," Jackson joked.

    AFP / Getty Images

    Wearing a black surgical mask, Jackson arrives with companion Debbie Rowe, mother to two of his children, at a performance of the play "Sisterella" in 1996.

    Chris Pizzello, AP

    Michael Jackson with baby son Prince and mother Debbie Rowe on cover of OK! Magazine in 1997.

    OK! Magazine / AP

2009 AOL LLC. All Rights Reserved.
2009-07-30 12:38:48
PRINT|E-MAILDIGGAIMMORE