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Flash! From Liz Smith | 07/01/2009 1:45 pm

LIZ SMITH FLASH! Diana Ross Backup Mom for Michael Jackson's Kids?

Liz Smith
Now comes word that Michael Jackson’s will stipulates that if his mother, Katherine Jackson is "unable or unwilling" to fulfill her role as guardian to Michael’s children – page Miss Diana Ross!

Before you start giggling, please remember that Diana has raised five – count ‘em – five beautiful children who have never been in a spit of trouble. Diva she may be to coworkers, but she has been an exemplary mother. This is an intelligent choice, actually.

62 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

Deena B.
I agree.  She might actually be a good, maybe even the best, choice.  She has apparently raised her own children well.  And, even though they are separated (divorced?), I am concerned that Joe Jackson might manage to exert too much influence over Katherine Jackson.  He does not come across as one who would willingly relinquish his role of authority figure.
By Deena B. on 07/01/2009 2:04 pm
Kelly In Texas
Deena…do you suppose that she is even aware it? Poor, poor kids :/
By Kelly In Texas on 07/03/2009 4:25 pm
Deena B.
Good question.  I don’t know, she might not.
By Deena B. on 07/03/2009 5:36 pm
Mary Quite-Contrary

Actually, given Debbie Rowe’s hurtful public proclaimations of NOT wanting any thing to do with her two biological offspring (and even if she did…where does that leave ‘Blanket?’), and the horrible abuse that occurred in the Jackson household…Ms. Ross may be the best surrogate parent.  Her five children have turned out incredibly normal (I admit to following celeb news…and can’t recall any Ross children public meltdowns; arrests).

 I hope those kids have some sense of some normalcy sometime soon.

By Mary Quite-Contrary on 07/01/2009 2:17 pm
Deena B.
Mary, in Debbie Rowe’s defense (maybe), I am now reading that she may not be the biological mother afterall.  Some sources indicate that the children were conceived in-vitro with both another woman’s eggs and a sperm donor.  This may explain why she never sought visitation.  She was merely a vessel.  And, as you pointed out, where would that leave "Blanket" even if she did.  What a messed up situation…   
By Deena B. on 07/01/2009 3:28 pm
Laura Ward
Poor kids. Hope they turn out okay. I think the Jackson kids turned out okay did in spite of Joe Jackson. LaToya might be odd but Rebbie’s been married 41 years and Marlon’s been married 33 years. None really have truly bad track records that an average person doesn’t have (divorces for instance). It must be due to Katherine despite the barriers that Joe put in front of her.
By Laura Ward on 07/01/2009 3:49 pm
Karen Brown
I’m sure both Katherine Jackson & Diana Ross would look out for the best interests of Michael’s children, but at their age, and with Diana’s career, the ‘help’ would probably be raising the children.  Perhaps a younger parent would be better for the children.  Why not Janet or LaToya?  Don’t any of the brothers in a stable relationship?  Isn’t a home with a mother and a father reasonable to strive for?
By Karen Brown on 07/01/2009 3:52 pm
Jennifer Michaels
Jermaine is always the spokesperson for the Michael and the family. He had two other sisters as well Maureen??? and Rebbie??? Are Katherine and Joe still together because both Latoya and Michael claimed mistreatment.  I smell a court case coming up. And just when he’d actually managed to keep them out of the glaring limelight…
By Jennifer Michaels on 07/01/2009 6:26 pm
Victoria J
I wouldn’t leave a flea in the care of LaToya Jackson. She is a joke. And she should not be mentioned in the same sentence as Janet, if you are talking about competence. 
By Victoria J on 07/02/2009 12:22 pm
Mary Utrup
A home with a mother and a father what a concept! More people should try it for longer periods of time. I hear it was all the rage several generations ago. In any case, it would be in the best interests of those kids to keep them close to the family they know. It just seems that there may never be an end to this saga. My heart goes out to the kids. This has to be the most confusing situation for them. Like Libra Lady said, they will definitely need counseling. We can only hope they’ll be offered the opportunity.
By Mary Utrup on 07/01/2009 4:23 pm
Beth Cornell
Actually she’d be an excellent choice. As known, her kids have never been in any trouble. If in the news it was to accompany her to an award show or other event. 
By Beth Cornell on 07/01/2009 4:33 pm
Beth Cornell
Karen, I see your point about the ages of Diana Ross and Katherine Jackson. But I don’t know about your choices. LaToya has had alot of marital problems, I don’t see a problem with Janet though. Isn’t there another sister that is sort of behind the scenes? I can’t remember.
By Beth Cornell on 07/01/2009 4:35 pm
Deniseann Taylor
Beth, LaToya has many problems I agree, I would have thought Janet or one of his brothers if his mother couldn’t do the job herself.
By Deniseann Taylor on 07/01/2009 5:06 pm
Deniseann Taylor
My question is a simple one, Is Ms. Ross young enough to handle children of this age group.  The youngest still needs a lot more attention then the older ones.
By Deniseann Taylor on 07/01/2009 5:04 pm
Victoria J
Oh please…you must be 12?  Your view of 65 a year old is quite antiquated. Are you aware that Liz Smith is in her 80’s.  Diana has sons. I suspect she knows quite a lot about the needs of young boys as well as girls. All of her kids are bi-racial and seemingly well adjusted and happy.
By Victoria J on 07/02/2009 12:27 pm