Jackson Kids' Godfather: I Believe Paris Is My Daughter

By PopEater Staff Posted Aug 9th 2009 10:33AM

A British tabloid reported Saturday that the godfather of Michael Jackson's three children claims to be the father of the singer's daughter Paris. The News of the World quotes Jackson's longtime friend Mark Lester as saying that he "gave Michael my sperm so that he could have kids -- and I believe Paris is my daughter."

The newspaper also quotes Lester, is a 51-year-old former child star known for his lead role in the 1968 movie version of the state show "Oliver!" as saying he's willing to take a paternity test.

In a video interview Lester said he donated his sperm at a London clinic. He said Jackson was married to Debbie Rowe at the time. "She's the birth mother of the children so I naturally assumed the sperm donation would obviously have gone into Debbie and Debbie would have borne the children," he said.

"It's been a secret for so long," Lester said. "In 1996 Michael asked me if I would give him my sperm and I said yes. It was a gift to him, no money was paid, it was something I was honored to do. He wanted children so badly."

"I'm the godparent to them and Michael was godparent to all my four kids. Our two families spent a lot of time together, and had a lot fun together. Now I'm not able to have any communication with the children. My repeated phone calls aren't returned and emails go unanswered."

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

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"It's a contact issue," he said on the video. "I dearly want to remain in contact with those kids and I feel now this is the only way I can ensure that."

Uri Geller, a close friend of Jackson's, said during a GMTV interview: "I have no reason to doubt Mark's story, simply because I remember years ago in New York, Michael implied to me that he wanted Mark to help him father a child for him."

Other reports indicate that Lester's words were misintrerpreted though, PEOPLE reports. "They twisted his words around. He's not claiming to be the father of Paris Jackson," says one close family source.

Jackson family attorney Londell McMillan adds that the story is just another unproven and meaningless claim, and the probate court has no reason to go against its finding that the late King of Pop is father to all three of his kids.

"These are just merely claims with no legal standing whatsoever," McMillan said.

Tags: michael jackson, MichaelJackson, paris jackson, ParisJackson

Comments

(597)

Sunday 09 August

By Sue

Vote down Vote up Report this

Mr Lester is just interested in getting $$$$

By alexandra

Impossible ! If Paris is not the daughter of Michael, then the will comes into question. Also Mark Lester is a very accomplished English actor, and business man. Don't judge him too quickly :(

By jenna

if it's a contact issue ,seems to me he has that as the GodFather.......I wonder why would any decent human being add more turmoil to the lives of any of these kids.!?...it's all about $$$$$$$$

By Samantha

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

As a sperm donor, he gave up all rights of paternity. He has no claim to any of these children, and nothing will change that. I agree, that if he had been so 'concerned' these past 12 years, he would have come forward. However, the point is moot under the law. He needs to be content as the godfather and leave the family in peace.

By Kat

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Homie...you've made me laugh so hard I'm about to fall off the sofa! THANK YOU!

By magda

I think if he was a true friend to Michael, he never would reveal this thing if in fact this really is true. Why he did not say anything before the tragedy? Why he kept the secret while Michael was alive? I think that Lester just wants to take advantage, as all the others from the death of Michael. They should let Michael to rest in peace. We will love you forever, Michael!

By Shanee

OMG.....I wish people just let this family grieve and leave the children alone.....now I can understand why M.J. kept his children out of the public eye....

By Tracy

What about all the soldiers who have died defending our freedom - where is all the publicity about them. Let Michael Rest in Peace - and his children Live in Peace and Quiet

By Marie

MY HUBBY IS BROWN SKIN, BROWN EYES AND BLACK HAIR, OR TWINS ARE {ONE HAS BLOND HAIR AND BLUE EYES AND WHITE AS I AM. THE OTHER ONE HAS BLACK HAIR, BLUE EYES AND A LITTLE TAN. SO THOSE KIDS COULD BE HIS AND TAKE AFTER MOTHER SIDE AND BE WHITE..

Tuesday 11 August

By jeannie caldwell

you cant be serious

By Emily

A sperm donor doesn't have any rights to a child born of their sperm. Where was he before, if he wants a relationship with her? Paris and Prince look an awful lot a like, so IF he's her father, he's Prince's father, too. He should leave those kids alone and let them get on with their lives with their family.

By Hoopa

House! How are you?

I agree. I would be very difficult for her to be the mother if this is true.

By Joel

Funny how as soon as Katherine Jackson gets custody of Michael's children and the estate the godfather is claiming one of the children his. It is just disgusting and wrong. Let these kids get on with their lives!!!

By Glenna

does no one else see the dollar signs?

By florence sharpe

How is it only now this person has come forward to claim Paris is his daughter? Everyone is trying to get the fifteen minutes of fame,the fact is Michael claimed the kids as his own, he has bonded with them as a parent and legaly taken responsibility for them. Is it that this person claiming to be the child'd father is after money.
Flobee

By grammmmmy

plzzzzzzzz people...omg! if you go to a sperm bank and get impregnated...raise a child that child doesn't all of sudden become the sperm doners...hello? omg.......it don't matter if the sperm came from Dr. Klein or this creep crawling out of the woodwork. Michael Jackson paid for services to have children...they are his children...it doesn't matter if he used his sperm or not! These services happen everyday legally all over the world. The children are Jackson's...simple and as legal as that! When you give up your sperm...you have nooooooo legal right to it! Hence you were paid for your sperm during its delivery...hahahaha...idiots!

By hermey

I remember Mark Lester from Oliver. He was on the cover of many teen mags back in my day. Now that he mentions it the daughter Paris does have a strong resemblance to young Mark Lester. Google him and look at young pics to see for yourself.

By Jesse

Here's a link to see the resemblence.

[url]http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/michael_jackson/2009/08/08/2009-08-08_michael_jacksons_daughter_paris_is_my_child_says_british_actor_mark_lester.html/[/url]
BUT...I feel that regardless, his GAVE UP his sperm, and Michael provided for, and raised those children as his own, and nobody but family should have any "rights" to raise them until they are 18. If then the children want to find out more about themselves, and decide to include the other people in their lives, then so be it. But until then, leave the kids alone!! They are devistated. They LOVED that man. To them, HE WAS their FATHER, and they are feeling the lose of him something terrible.

By gail

why is it now that everyone wants to say they think they are the kids father now that michael is deceased. one day these kids are going to see all of this madness. as far as the kids are concerned michael is their father and he always will be. whatever happen to being a loyal friend and keep it in the closet. you didnt say anything before so why start something now .

By jeff

I hope Mark IS the father of Paris and Prince. Mark Lester is a talented and handsome and NORMAL human being. All indicators are that this British citizen is not insane like those feral Jackson's or Debbie Rowe. Do a DNA test immediately and then begin the healing transference of legal paternity from the Jackson nut farm to Mark in London. This is the most wonderful news possible for these kids. Normalcy ! Thank God !!

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