Page 32 - ARUBA TODAY

A32 FEATURE
Monday 24 June 2019
Michael Jackson's popularity endures, even after new scandal

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Jackson's music streaming
documentary "Leaving numbers continued to soar,
Neverland" presented a according to Ian Drew,
disturbing depiction of Mi- consumer editorial director
chael Jackson as a child at Billboard. He said Jack-
molester, but the initial son's estate has been smart
wave of negative public- about keeping his music
ity hasn't greatly diminished relevant, but it could be di-
the King of Pop's image or minished over those being
the enduring popularity of "creeped out" by allega-
his music. tions.
Many believe Jackson's Jackson's nephew said his
musical legacy is still going legacy will never be de-
strong as Tuesday's 10th an- stroyed.
niversary of his death ap- "No lie can destroy what
proaches. Backlash to the was given to us as a bless-
documentary that aired in ing from God, and that's
March on HBO and Britain's what my uncle was," said
Channel 4 prompted radio Sigmund "Siggy" Jackson,
stations in Canada to stop son of Jackson's eldest
playing his music and the brother, Jackie Jackson.
producers of "The Simpsons" "You can never destroy his
to remove an episode that legacy with a petty lie. He
featured Jackson's voice. will be here. And even after
But that's been the most vis- God calls us home, his leg-
ible extent of the backlash. acy will live on and never
There's been no rescinding be torn down."
honors like has happened Film producer Jodi Gomes
to Bill Cosby and Harvey agrees. She believes Jack-
Weinstein, or mass move- son's legacy will live on
ments to stop playing Jack- from this generation to the
son's music, as R&B singer R. next, no matter what.
Kelly has faced. Gomes said the family had
Jackson's massively popu- been working on a docu-
lar "Thriller" album and the mentary on The Jackson
theatrical version of its mu- 5's 50th anniversary. The
sic video still reside in the Li- contract was ready to be
brary of Congress' National signed with a network, but
Recording Registry. His mu- she said it backed out after
sic is still featured in com- In this Nov. 7, 2001 file photo, Michael Jackson waves to crowds gathered to see him at his first "Leaving Neverland."
mercials and is a part of a ever in-store appearance to celebrate his new album "Invincible" in New York. "The 50th anniversary was
Cirque Du Soleil show in Las Associated Press planned and the whole
Vegas. family was participating
Museums in Detroit and auction," he continued. performance in Las Vegas ended with his acquittal. and it was a celebration
Tennessee keep images "There's only one person where the singer played After Jackson's death, the of what started the whole
and artifacts of Jackson on that compares to Marilyn several of her brother's criminal case nearly be- entire Jackson brand. And
display, and his memora- Monroe in collectability, songs that had "people came an afterthought until now, that has gotten lost
bilia continues to sell. and that is Michael Jack- dancing and buzzin'" as "Leaving Neverland" was in the shuffle," said Gomes,
"He still commands prices son." the "crowd went wild" dur- released. who worked on the 2009
compared to most any Billboard senior editor Gail ing classic songs from The The documentary focused reality series "The Jacksons:
other celebrity," said Dar- Mitchell isn't surprised by Jackson 5, which she called on two men, Wade Robson A Family Dynasty" and the
ren Julien, president and support for Jackson, who "one of the highlights of and James Safechuck, who 1992 miniseries "The Jack-
CEO of the Culver City, she has met before. For a show." denied Jackson abused sons: An American Dream."
California-based Julien's recent story, the veteran "There was an aura about them while the singer was Siggy Jackson said his un-
Auctions. He said his auc- music journalist said she him," Mitchell said of Jack- still alive. Both have said cle's legacy will continue
tion house has sold around and a colleague inter- son. "He had an energy in having their own children to win despite the "haters,"
$15 million of the superstar viewed about 30 music ex- terms of his talent and the forced them to face the but understood the logic of
singer's property including ecutives who believe the dancing, and I still think that truth. some companies not affili-
his white glove that went singer's legacy could with- aura still exists to a point. I Jackson acknowledged ating themselves with any-
for $480,000 in 2009 and a stand the "Leaving Never- know it's been tarnished, befriending numerous chil- thing Michael Jackson.
jacket, which was recently land" controversy. but I think overall that there dren, including some he "That's standard business.
bought for $75,000. "Some saw the film, others is no denying what he invited into his bed, but You wait until the heat
Julien said Russia, Asia, didn't want to," she said. brought to the table." denied he molested any of burns down, so you can
Middle East, Canada and "Many said that (Jackson) is Jackson died at the age them. see after the smoke goes
America are some of the not here to defend himself of 50 from an overdose of His estate has also vigorous- down," he said. "I don't fault
key markets where buyers the way R. Kelly is here. ... the anesthetic propofol on ly denied Robson and Safe- anyone from backing off.
are willing to spend money The jury is always probably June 25, 2009. In an instant, chuck's allegations, calling But as far as the family, it
on Jackson's merchandise. going to be out. But all of Jackson's popularity surged the documentary a retread doesn't stop anything. The
"He's the only celebrity the execs said his legacy after years of being tar- of proven falsehoods from plans don't stop. My uncle's
where we would have lines will be fine." nished by sexual abuse al- men seeking money. A law- legacy will never go away.
of people to get in when- Mitchell recently attended legations and a 2005 child suit was filed against HBO. Our family will make sure of
ever we had stuff of his to Janet Jackson's residency molestation trial, which Despite the documentary, that."q