EXCLUSIVE: Godfather of Michael Jackson’s Kids Says “I’m Not Pushing For Any DNA Tests”
Posted on Sep 24, 2009 @ 02:54PM - 4 comments
Mark Lester, the British godfather of Michael Jackson kids, got caught in the middle of a media firestorm after he told a British newspaper that he had donated sperm to the superstar and that he believed that Paris Jackson was his daughter. The Jackson family lawyer Londell McMillan reacted angrily to the reports, claiming they had no legal standing.
Click here to view the legal documents
Lester spoke to RadarOnline.com exclusively to clear the air and confirms he is still close with the family.
His original shocking claims
“Look, I’m not pushing for any DNA tests. The family has been under enough pressure since Michael died and I just want things to settle down,” he said. “Contrary to reports I was invited to his funeral recently but I couldn’t go for business reasons and hopefully I will be able to fly over at Christmas time and pay my respects privately.”
In fact, he speaks regularly to at least one Jackson family member: “I’m still in touch with Randy Jackson who I have known for a very long time and we both respect one another. To suggest that there is a rift between myself and the Jackson family is just not true.”
Godfather breaks Silence About Jackson's Kids
Lester claims that his comments to the newspaper were “spun a lot.” “It’s true that I donated sperm to Michael but he was those kids father and anything else biologically is immaterial really,” he added.
The birth mother of the two eldest children is former nurse Debbie Rowe, and the youngest, who is known as "Blanket", was conceived by a surrogate whose identity has not yet been revealed.
“The last time I spoke with the family I was told that Michael’s kids were doing really well and that is the most important thing to me,” Lester said. “They are really lovely children and I hope that I can play a part in their lives in the future and they can get to know my own kids too.”
EXCLUSIVE: Hair Salon Protects Michael Jackson's Daughter From DNA Probe
Posted on Sep 01, 2009 @ 02:17PM - 5 comments
While his children undoubtedly viewed him as their father in every way possible, Michael Jackson is still fielding paternity questions even after his death. His daughter Paris recently had a haircut in Las Vegas and RadarOnline.com has learned that the salon swept up the discarded locks to ensure her privacy was maintained.
Paris visited the trendy Amp Salon at the Palms Resort and Casino accompanied by a bodyguard and her tutors 'Sister Rose' and 'Aunt Emily' in August.
"After the stylist had cut off about two inches of her hair Sister Rose scrapped the clippings-up and put them in a clear plastic baggy," Alicia Jacobs, a KVBC reporter who was at the salon during Paris' visit, told RadarOnline.com. “She did the same thing after the final cut was over and I realized it must have been to stop somebody from stealing them for any DNA testing or to maybe sell on EBay.”
“She was very polite and was joking that she had been ‘dancing in the rain’ after a shower had suddenly hit Las Vegas," Jacobs remembered. "At first she got a green manicure, to match the limos at the Palms."
Jacobs was impressed by how composed the little girl was: “I was actually blown away by her - she was very polite and gracious with everybody and seemed to be coping really well after everything she went through."
Paris’ godfather Mark Lester has claimed that he is her biological father. In a recent television interview with The Today Show Lester insisted his sperm could have used to father Paris, Prince, 12, and Blanket, 7.
“There’s a possibility that one, or all - very unlikely all – but one of those kids may be mine,” he revealed.
Palms spokesperson Larry Fink confirmed that Paris did visit the Amp salon where a style-cut would have cost the famous girl between $100 and $150. The salon would not comment.
"I'm Paris' Dad" Claims Michael Jackson Close Friend Mark Lester
Posted on Aug 08, 2009 @ 01:03PM - 17 comments
Michael Jackson's close friend, former child star Mark Lester, claims he is the real father of the singer's daughter and would willingly take a paternity test to prove it in a new bombshell report..
Lester, who is godfather to all three of the Jackson children, tells News Of The World Michael approached him with a request that he act as a sperm donor so he could have children.
He also claims he has concerns about the welfare of Jackson's children and hopes his confession will ensure he is able to maintain contact with them.
Lester shot to fame in the lead role of Lionel Bart's 1968 musical film Oliver! and met Jackson in 1982.
"I'm godfather to Michael Jackson's children. I believe that Paris could be my daughter. I would be willing to take a paternity test.
"Michael Jackson asked me in a private conversation if I'd be willing to donate sperm on his behalf. I was phoned up by a London clinic and I was
asked what would be a convenient time for me to attend," he told the News of the World.
"I made an appointment to go along. Michael was married to Debbie Rowe at the time. She's the birth mother of the children so I naturally assumed that sperm donation would have gone into Debbie and Debbie would have both the children.
"Of all Michael Jackson's children I'd assume that the one that looks most like me is Paris.
"I've come forward now because I have concerns about the welfare and upbringing of the children. There is a contact issue. I really want to remain in contact with those kids and I feel now that this is the only way I can ensure that.
Mark said he has spoken to lawyers to establish his rights to contact the children.
EXCLUSIVE: Godfather Breaks Silence About Jackson’s Kids
Posted on Jul 01, 2009 @ 05:34PM - 3 comments
The British godfather of Michael Jackson’s youngest son has exclusively told RadarOnline.com that the superstar would have wanted his mother and former long-time nanny Grace Rwaramba to raise his three children. British osteopath Mark Lester, 50, is godfather to Jackson’s youngest child Prince Michael II (Blanket) and had known the star for almost 30 years. Lester also opened up about Jackson’s reported drug use and that state the superstar was in during the weeks and months leading up to his death.
“I think he would have wanted his mother Katherine and Grace to raise his children. I have known [Grace] or around 10 years and she is a really lovely person who all three kids look upon as a mother figure,” he said. “Michael’s own mother has their best interests at heart and I was comforted to find-out that she currently has custody of them as they need to be around their family right now.”
The two men met in 1982 when Jackson’s manager set up a meeting at a London hotel. Jackson had been enthralled by Lester’s performance in the 1970’s film Oliver!
The former child star became Prince Michael II’s godfather in 2002 at a ceremony in Las Vegas while Jackson agreed to become godfather to his four kids Lucy, 17, Olivia, 14, Harriet, 15, and Felix, 10.
Lester spoke to Jackson the weekend before he died and was at the time assured of the singer’s outlook regarding his upcoming comeback tour. He was also on hand in March for the O2 Arena press launch for the tour.
“That’s what really disturbs me because he was so upbeat and positive it’s the best I have heard him sound in a long time,” Lester remembers. “I can’t comment on any drug use - all I know is that Michael was in really good form both the last time I saw him in March and when we spoke on the phone.”
“Michael was a doting father with his own kids and mine and he was really genuinely very kind,” he added about Jackson as a father. “Away from all the fame they are very normal kids who are extremely well educated and very bright and polite too. We are devastated about his death and all my children are in a state of shock because they loved spending time with him as he was such a sweet person.”
As reports continue to allege that the star’s dermatologist Arnold Klein is the biological father of at least two of his children, Lester remains skeptical.
“Look, Michael Jackson is the father of those kids and I believe this guy Klein is just a chancer.”
The British godfather of Michael Jackson’s youngest son has exclusively told RadarOnline.com that the superstar would have wanted his mother and former long-time nanny Grace Rwaramba to raise his three children. British osteopath Mark Lester, 50, is godfather to Jackson’s youngest child Prince Michael II (Blanket) and had known the star for almost 30 years. Lester also opened up about Jackson’s reported drug use and that state the superstar was in during the weeks and months leading up to his death.
“I think he would have wanted his mother Katherine and Grace to raise his children. I have known [Grace] or around 10 years and she is a really lovely person who all three kids look upon as a mother figure,” he said. “Michael’s own mother has their best interests at heart and I was comforted to find-out that she currently has custody of them as they need to be around their family right now.”
The two men met in 1982 when Jackson’s manager set up a meeting at a London hotel. Jackson had been enthralled by Lester’s performance in the 1970’s film Oliver!
The former child star became Prince Michael II’s godfather in 2002 at a ceremony in Las Vegas while Jackson agreed to become godfather to his four kids Lucy, 17, Olivia, 14, Harriet, 15, and Felix, 10.
Lester spoke to Jackson the weekend before he died and was at the time assured of the singer’s outlook regarding his upcoming comeback tour. He was also on hand in March for the O2 Arena press launch for the tour.
“That’s what really disturbs me because he was so upbeat and positive it’s the best I have heard him sound in a long time,” Lester remembers. “I can’t comment on any drug use - all I know is that Michael was in really good form both the last time I saw him in March and when we spoke on the phone.”
“Michael was a doting father with his own kids and mine and he was really genuinely very kind,” he added about Jackson as a father. “Away from all the fame they are very normal kids who are extremely well educated and very bright and polite too. We are devastated about his death and all my children are in a state of shock because they loved spending time with him as he was such a sweet person.”
As reports continue to allege that the star’s dermatologist Arnold Klein is the biological father of at least two of his children, Lester remains skeptical.
“Look, Michael Jackson is the father of those kids and I believe this guy Klein is just a chancer.”
