As previously reported, Jermaine Jackson has joined forces with Michael’s long-term friend and bodyguard Matt Fiddes to campaign against bullying.

Jermaine joined Matt’s campaign, called NOBUL, following the final of reality show Celebrity Big Brother, where he finished runner up to Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty, who herself was a subject of bullying and racist comments made by fellow housemates.

“Jermaine has just left the Celebrity Big Brother House, where as we all know, Shilpa Shetty was the subject of a lot of racial discrimination”, said Matt. “Jermaine is such a great guy who is very anti bullying, so it seems fitting that he is going to help me to launch a nationwide campaign”.

The campaign will begin in Barnstaple, and will also visit Taunton, Bridgewater, Weston, Swindon and Uxbridge in London. More locations may follow.

“I really believe that every child can achieve success if they really want to - I like to think that I am an example of that as I was bullied when I was at school,” said Matt. “We shall also be talking to children about the dangers of drugs and how to say no to peer pressure, and we can teach some basic self defence moves as well. We are planning to set up a visit to a primary school in London as the capital’s schools have the worst truancy record in the UK.”

The campaign begins Sunday 4th February and will see Jermaine visit Matt’s Martial Arts school and Devon. Monday 5th February will see the pair visit Ashleigh Primary School before moving onto other locations.

Source: MJNI

Jermaine Jackson said on Monday he wants his brother Michael to convert to Islam; and he believes the reclusive superstar has given it serious thought.

“Michael, I feel, needs to become a Muslim because I think it’s a great protection for him from all the things that he’s been attacked with, which are false,” said the former Jackson Five singer who now lives in Bahrain.

“There’s a strength and protection there,” Jackson told BBC Asian Newtwork after finishing runner-up to Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty in the “Celebrity Big Brother” TV reality show that was marred by accusations of racist bullying.

Jackson said he believed his brother had given conversion “serious thought” during long spells in Bahrain.

“I was the reason why he had gone there because I wanted him to get out of America and just go somewhere it’s peaceful and quiet and people pray five times a day which is beautiful.”

Jermaine Jackson said his faith helped keep him sane in the enclosed confines of the British reality TV program where the contestants are kept cooped up under 24-hour surveillance.

“If I didn’t have Allah and my prayer rug, I would not have survived and the reason why is because it kept me focused, it kept me calm,” he said.

Source: Reuters

Hot off his appearance on U.K. reality TV show Celebrity Big Brother, Jermaine Jackson will conduct an anti-bullying campaign around schools.

Along with Matt Fiddes (friend and bodyguard to Michael) the campaign will start in Barnstaple this Sunday at Matt’s martial arts school before moving on to a local hospice.

Then on Monday morning Jermaine will visit a school in Devon before moving down to London to visit more.

During his time in the Celebrity Big Brother house Jermaine was named as the calming influence and saviour on several occasions during rows between Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty and reality TV star Jade Goody. Shetty’s treatment was globally discussed as Goody and two other housemates bullied the actress and were even seen to be making racist remarks.

Exclusive MJ will give you more information about the campaign when it is released.

Source: MJNI

A businessman sentenced to home detention for conspiring to videotape Michael Jackson illegally is doing his time at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Marina del Rey.

Jeffrey Borer, sentenced in October for conspiring to sell a videotape of Jackson in 2003 when the pop singer faced child molestation charges, has been paying his debt to society with access to a harbor-side pool and restaurant, two tennis courts and a spa.

Lloyd Kirschbaum, Borer’s attorney in an ongoing civil case, said Borer is detained at the hotel for six months at his own expense because his Marina del Rey house is infested with mold, to which his wife is allergic. “It’s all squared away with the probation department,” Kirschbaum said.

Borer, owner of the Santa Monica charter jet company XtraJet, and Arvell Jett Reeves, owner of a Chino aircraft maintenance firm, installed video cameras in one of Borer’s Gulfstream jets. The cameras were used to videotape Jackson and his lawyer, Mark Geragos, on a flight from Las Vegas to Santa Barbara in the midst of Jackson’s molestation trial.

The videotapes came to light when Fox News reported in 2003 that a private party had offered to sell them to the network. Borer, 62, pleaded guilty in March to the federal charges.

Federal probation officials declined to comment on Borer’s detention. But Daniel N. Shallman, the federal prosecutor in Borer’s case, called the hotel stay “outrageous.”

“When someone is sentenced to electronic monitoring, normally the presumption is he’s not going to be holed up in a four-star hotel,” said Shallman, now a lawyer at O’Melveny & Myers.

Source: Spokesman Review

After recently making an appearance on Britain’s “Celebrity Big Brother,” Jermaine Jackson is now heading towards a different entertainment avenue.

Jermaine, who is the brother of music icon Michael Jackson, has revealed he is currently working on a musical. The show is based on his family members and the popular 1970s quintet, Jackson 5, which Jermaine was part of growing up.

In an interview with Britain’s “Celebrity Big Brother” host, he said, “I’m a bit busy at the moment. I’m planning a Jacksons musical in London.”

No opening date has been announced.

Source: All Headline News

Michael’s brother Jermaine Jackson has finished 2nd in U.K. reality TV show Celebrity Big Brother.

Jermaine was extremely happy at the news as he labelled fellow housemate and Bollywood actress, Shilpa Shetty, a “beautiful” and deserving winner.

As he left the house fans greeted him with cheers and applause and even sang some Jackson 5 hits to him as he walked by. When taking his seat for an interview with host Davina McCall the audience sang Blame It On The Boogie. To which Jermaine smiled and sang along.

During the interview, McCall described and showed clips of Jermaine’s time in the house, portraying him as a calming influence and a man of few words - but what he did have to say came from wisdom. (Apart from when he reacted to the news that other housemates were “flatulating” while he was sleeping by saying, “you mean I’ve been inhaling somebody’s ass?” Still, made everyone laugh though!)

Leaving the house wearing sunglasses and a very Michael-esque jacket with one armband, Jermaine turned to the show’s winner Shetty and uttered his final words… “Kindness is a strength.”

Source: MJNI

Jermaine Jackson is in contention to win the fifth series of Celebrity Big Brother - and he needs your vote for tonight’s finale!

Probably one of the ultimate Celebrity Big Brother’s, Jermaine has had to put up with a lot over the last three weeks, including the globally discussed racist bullying of housemate, friend and fellow finalist Shilpa Shetty.

He has also had to deal with “flatulation” from his roommates and “H” from Steps asking if Michael’s hit Billie Jean was about the famous tennis player. Seriously.

One of the highlights of the series has been Jermaine leading four other housemates in a “Battle of the Bands” where he fronted a Jackson 5 tribute band singing I Want You Back. They won by a massive 75% margin against a rival tribute band of Steps.

Jermaine is one of six housemates that can win tonight, along with Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty, former A-Team star Dirk Benedict, “H” from Steps, glamour model Danielle Lloyd and some bloke named Jack who dates reality star (and racist bully) Jade Goody.

As this Hotshot is being sent, Jermaine is currently only 2nd favourite to win behind Shetty. Your vote can crown him champion so get voting!

TO VOTE FOR JERMAINE TO WIN:

Text JERMAINE to 84466 (Texts cost 50p, plus std msg rate - UK)

or

Call 09011 32 33 10 (Calls cost 50p, mobile and other network rates may vary) 10p from every vote will go to charity.

Source: MJNI

Michael Jackson today confirmed that he is currently in the United States, but it is unsure whether or not he will be staying.

Alongside his spokesperson, Raymone Bain, Michael called the Associated Press to confirm his current whereabouts. “I can confirm that he is in the United States,” Bain said. “We don’t give out information regarding our client’s whereabouts because of safety, and this is just an ongoing policy.”

It is unusual that AP would make a story out of the fact that Michael is currently in the U.S. After all, he has (quite publicly) been in the States since the end of last year. Maybe the news organisation is under the impression Michael is back to live?

The phone call also discussed the upcoming fan events scheduled for March in Japan. “My friends and fans in Japan have been so supportive of me and my family for many, many years,” Michael said. “My fans in Japan helped me achieve historic milestones in the music industry.”

Not that he’s bragging, but hey, he’s Michael Jackson, he’s allowed to!

The fan events take place in Tokyo, with an exclusive dinner taking place on March 8th, where fans will be able to get autographed photos and have a meet and greet (for a short period) with their idol. The less-exclusive event takes place the following day.

For details on the events and how to purchase tickets, Click Here.

Source: MJNI

By Eric Talmadge

Michael Jackson is back in the United States after living in Bahrain, France and Ireland. He emerged with his spokeswoman Friday to confirm to The Associated Press that he is back after more than a year in self-imposed exile following his acquittal in a high-profile child molestation trial that ended in June 2005.

They also said he is on the comeback trail - planning a pair of “fan appreciation events” in Japan in March, one of which will charge $3,300 for the opportunity to meet the Gloved One.

“I can confirm that he is in the United States,” spokeswoman Raymone K. Bain said. “We don’t give out information regarding our client’s whereabouts because of safety, and this is just an ongoing policy.”

During the brief conference call, Jackson read a statement prepared for The Associated Press about his plans to visit Japan and allowed only one question: How are you?

“I’m fine, thank you,” was his reply.

Jackson, one of the best-selling artists of all time, said he has chosen to come back to Japan because of the strong support he enjoys there.

“My friends and fans in Japan have been so supportive of me and my family for many, many years,” he said. “My fans in Japan helped me achieve historic milestones in the music industry.”

Broderick Morris, the promoter working the Japan side of Jackson’s trip, said they have sold 220 of 300 tickets to a “platinum VIP party” on March 8. Guests will have dinner, get autographed photos and be able to “meet and greet” Jackson for 30 seconds to one minute, he said.

A less-exclusive party is scheduled for the following day. Jackson is not obligated to perform at either event, and promoters refused to comment on how much Jackson, 48, would be paid.

Jackson made his first official foray back into the spotlight after his acquittal with an appearance - again, in Tokyo - to accept MTV Japan’s “Legend Award.” Last November, he allowed the syndicated TV show “Access Hollywood” to film him in the studio, working on music with producer will.i.am from the Black Eyed Peas.

Source: Associated Press

Michael Jackson’s new album will be released online, his studio collaborator Will.I.Am has claimed.

The Black Eyed Peas star is convinced the King of Pop is talented and famous enough to make his comeback record a hit through internet sales alone and doesn’t need the backing of a major label.

He said: “Michael is the one act who doesn’t need a record label. He can do it all through social networking sites.”

Will.I.Am - who is behind hits like Shut Up and Where Is The Love - believes, the new record will be a huge success.

He said: “We sat there in Ireland writing song melodies that are gonna affect people emotionally and rhythms that are gonna make people dance.”

Apart from Jackson, Will.I.Am - real name William James Adam Jr. - has collaborated with a host of top international music stars.

He has worked with rapper Busta Rhymes on The Big Bang album and collaborated with his Black Eyed Peas bandmate Fergie on her debut solo record The Dutchess.

He also worked on a number of tracks featured on Justin Timberlake’s worldwide hit album FutureSex/LoveSounds.

Source: LondonNet