News

Apocalypse Now

Sources : My personal research, Wikipedia, Michael Jackson: For The Record by Chris Cadman & Craig Halstead, Twitter account of Damien Shields and the amazing archives of the MJCast.

RECORDING DATE

The track was written, produced and recorded by Jackson between 1986 and 1987 for Bad, although didn’t make the cut. John Robinson, the drummer discussed the track during an interview with the Rhythm magazine in 2010 : “There was another track I did that never made it called “Apocalypse Now” that I wrote six and a half minutes of military drum cadences for. I brought in Don Williams, John Williams’ brother, Dan Greco and Bob Zimmitti and we recorded with four field snares, four piccolo snares, two sets of piatti and one gran casa. It was a very hip tune but it never made the record. I was kind of upset about that.” @falke_pil on X (December 9, 2024) :

“16.09.1986, 6:24 in length. Instrumental, no vocals. Sounds interesting.”

STUDIO(S)

???

SONGWRITER(S)

???

PRODUCER(S)

Unknown

RELEASE DATE :

Unreleased

LABEL

Unreleased

LENGTH

6:24

ALTERNATE VERSIONS RECORDED BY MJ (covers and remixes by other artists are not included)

???

MUSICIANS

???

PEAK ON HOT 100 BILLBOARD :

Remains unreleased

SHORT FILM

No short film

LIVE PERFORMANCES ON TV SHOWS

Never performed on TV

LIVE PERFORMANCES IN CONCERTS

Never performed in concerts

AIN’T NO DOUBT ABOUT IT

Sources : My personal research, Wikipedia, Michael Jackson: For The Record by Chris Cadman & Craig Halstead, Twitter account of Damien Shields and the amazing archives of the MJCast.

RECORDING DATE

One of the many songs that were put up for the failed auction on http://gottahaverockandroll.com before the estate took it down. Recorded in 1994, it’s unknown if Michael recorded vocals for the song or not. Although during the auction, it said it included vocals, but other sources, like the US Copyright Office, say otherwise. SONG NEVER CONFIRMED.

STUDIO(S)

???

SONGWRITER(S)

Unknown

PRODUCER(S)

Unknown

RELEASE DATE :

Unreleased

LABEL

Unreleased

LENGTH

???

ALTERNATE VERSIONS RECORDED BY MJ (covers and remixes by other artists are not included)

??

MUSICIANS

???

PEAK ON HOT 100 BILLBOARD :

Remains unreleased

SHORT FILM

No short film

LIVE PERFORMANCES ON TV SHOWS

Never performed on TV

LIVE PERFORMANCES IN CONCERTS

Never performed in concerts

JANET JACKSON SPECIAL CONCERTS

January 22, 1987 : Janet performs “Control” and “Nasty” during the halftime of Ice Capades skating show at the Madison Square Garden in NYC. While in New York, she takes her dancers to the Studio 54.

April 22, 1998 : Janet performs a private show at the Jerudong Park Amphitheatre in Brunei, South East Asia by request of Princess Hamidah of the Brunei royal family. An exclusive audio recording of the show is issued to attendees of Hamidah’s twenty-first birthday party.

February 1, 2004 : Janet performs “All For You” & “Rhythm Nation” during the Superbowl Halftime Show.

May 15, 2004 : Janet performs “All Nite” & “All For You” at the Wango Tango Festival at the Rose Bowl in in Pasadena.

June 27, 2004 : Janet gives a surprise performance at the annual Dance on the Pier, one of the several parties held during NYC’s Gay & Lesbian Pride Week.
She performs “All Nite” & “Together Again”.

May 11, 2007 : Janet performs “Rhythm Nation”, “What Have You Done For Me Lately”, “Nasty”, “That’s The Way Love Goes” & “All for You” at the grand opening of The Cove Atlantis resort on Paradise Island in the Bahamas. The show closes with a never-before-seen fireworks display by Grucci that lit up the 171 acre reso night.

July 2, 2010 : July 2 : Janet & the Kids perform a 2 hour show at the Essence Music Festival in in New Orleans.

September 13, 2010 : Janet performs a private concert at New York’s Radio City Music Hall for investment company Rodman & Renshaw’s 12th Annual Global Investment Conference.

February 12, 2011 : Janet & the Kids perform a private show of 8 songs for the birthday party of Bertel in front of 380 guests in Shangai, China.

June 14, 2011  : Janet attends the ‘Liaisons Au Louvre II’ Charity Gala Dinner at Musee du Louvre with Becca Cason Trash, Prince Albert II of Monaco, Diane Krugger and Joshua Jackson among others. Dinner is followed by champagne, desserts and coffee in the I.M. Pei-designed pyramid where Janet & the Kids rock Louvre traditions with a one-hour performance.

July 7, 2011 : Janet gives a private show at The Grove golf and spa hotel at Chandler’s Cross, near London for 300 wealthy clients of the Deutsche Bank.

June 29, 2019 : Janet performs a 50 minutes set at the Glastonbury Festival in England.

June 30, 2019 : Janet performs a 80 minutes set at the Jazz Montreux Festival in Switzerland. She is introduced on stage by Quincy Jones.

July 18, 2019 : Janet and her team perform at the Jeddah Music Festival in Saudi Arabia.

May 7, 2022 : Janet performs her first concert in 3 years at the 85 West Music Festival (Kentucky Derby) at the Lynn Family Stadium in Louisville.

June 29, 2022 : Janet performs a concert at HPE DISCOVER 2022 CELEBRATION in Las Vegas.

July 2, 2022 : Janet performs a full concert at Essence Festival of Culture at the Caesars Superdome, New Orleans. The concert is streamed live on Hulu.

July 23, 2022 : Janet and the kids perform their last summer 2022 concert at the Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, OH as part of the Cincinnati Music Festival.

December 31, 2022 : Janet & the Kids give a private performance at the Wynn in Las Vegas. Janet shares the New Year’s countdown live on Instagram from the stage and she performs Together Again.

November 15, 2025 : Janet & the Kids perform a concert at the Cotton Bowl, an outdoor stadium in Dallas, Texas. It’s part of a celebration of United Way of Metropolitan Dallas’ 100 years of unstoppable impact in North Texas.

December 27, 2025 : Janet and the Kids perform a concert at the Thunder Valley Casino Resort, an American hotel and casino located in unincorporated in Whitney, California near the city of Lincoln, California, 30 miles (48 km) northeast of Sacramento.

December 29, 2025 : Janet and the Kids perform a concert at the Yaamava’ Resort & Casino in Highland, a city in San Bernardino County, California located 65 miles east of Downtown Los Angeles and roughly 50 miles west of Palm Springs, California. Rebbie Jackson attends the show.

LATOYA TIMELINE 2026

January 01 : LaToya shares a video of MJ performing Dangerous at the 1995 VMA’s : “I can watch this over and over and over again!!! The greatest! Happy New Year guys! goat #MichaelJackson #kingofpop #mjfans #instagood #HappyNewYear2026”

January 08 : LaToya shares an old video : “On a Throwback Thursday!
Me and @RuPaul having a little scene in a scene. Love you Ru @RuPaulsDragRace TBThursday #tbt #mood #rupaul #rupaulsdragrace #instagood #love #latoyajackson”

January 27 : LaToya shares pics from her stay in Germany last year : “Back to Germany with friends!”

January 31 : La Toya arrives in Frankfurt, Germany! She is set to attend a fashion show where she will also make her first runway appearance since 1996, walking to “Billie Jean” this Monday.

JANET TIMELINE 2026

January 01 : Janet shares a 19 minutes video of rehearsal/backstage footage from her two last concerts. At the end of the video she reveals with a big smile : “I feel that we had an incredible 2025 but I think everybody is in for a treat in 2026 and I can’t wait”. Later, she shares new pics : “Happy New Year! Have a blessed 2026! I love u”.

Bobby Ross Avila shares a new pic with Janet on his Instagram page : “Bringing in the New Year “2026” with my Jan Jan!”

January 03 : Janet celebrates Eissa’s 9th birthday. She posts this message on her social medias : “To my beautiful heart and soul, may God continue to bless you and keep you close ALWAYS. Happy Birthday Baby”

January 13 : Janet shares pictures from her December concerts :

“Missing you already Photos: @solaimanfazel
Wardrobe Design & Styling: @robertbehar & @laureltcanyon
Shoes: @salomon
Makeup: @prestonmakeup
Hair: @chrisriosbeauty, @iamdavontae & @theurbanmeet, Wig by @shlomimorwigs”

January 16 : Janet shares a video to promote Project•GD by Gil Duldulao.

MICHAEL LEGACY 2026

January 01 : Welcome to the Year of Michael : “As the clock struck midnight in parts of the world and while New Year’s Eve celebrations were still echoing elsewhere, Universal Pictures and Lionsgate quietly ignited something electric. A short teaser appeared online with a bold, confident message: “Welcome to the year of Michael.” Universal, Lionsgate, GK Films, Prince & Jaafar share the new teaser on their social medias.

“Adding to the excitement, Japan received something extra. Alongside the teaser, a new poster surfaced showing Jaafar Jackson, who portrays his uncle in the film, striking Michael’s iconic feet point on a massive stadium stage. The image is striking, confident, and instantly recognizable to any longtime fan.”

LaToya shares a video of MJ performing Dangerous at the 1995 VMA’s : “I can watch this over and over and over again!!! The greatest! Happy New Year guys! goat #MichaelJackson #kingofpop #mjfans #instagood #HappyNewYear2026”

January 03 : MJ Estate shares the new biopic teaser : “How excited are you for April? #MichaelMovie”

Paris Jackson on Insta : “getting sober ain’t always the indication that life is perfect. a few years in it all got very very hard. for what felt like an eternity. and i didn’t have the same survival skills i was used to having to cope. i had to learn to live life on life’s terms. treatment resistant major depressive disorder is a bitch. so is CPSTD. and OCD. if you’ve got this shit, or anything of the sort, you’re not alone. hang in there and if no one’s told you they love you today, i love you.”

January 05 : Rumour: A New MICHAEL Biopic Trailer to Play During the Super Bowl : “Rumors are heating up across social media this morning that the new official trailer for the highly anticipated Michael Jackson biopic, MICHAEL, could debut during Super Bowl LIX on February 8. The speculation began with The Beyond Reporter on X (formerly Twitter), and fans have since taken to their own social platforms to share the exciting possibility.”

January 09 : The Biggest Michael Jackson Music Leak Since 2014: What Happened, Who Had Access, and Where Is the Estate? “In the past few days, the Michael Jackson world has experienced something few ever thought they would witness on this scale again: a massive, uncontrolled leak of unreleased songs, demos, alternate versions, and studio snippets”

January 10 : Paris attends The Cut Golden Globes Brunch held at The EDITION in West Hollywood, California. Later that day, she attends Vanity Fair and Amazon MGM Studios Celebrate Awards Season 2026 at Bar Marmont in Los Angeles, California.

January 13 : Permanent MICHAEL Display Installed at New Shanghai Hoyts Cinema : “A brand-new tribute to Michael Jackson has appeared in China. The newly opened Hoyts Cinema at Shanghai’s Qianwan Incity MEGA has unveiled a dedicated Michael Movie display, celebrating the enduring legacy of the King of Pop on the big screen.”

January 14 : MJ Estate Submits $106,000 Legal Bill to Paris Jackson as Court Fight Intensifies : “The legal standoff between Paris Jackson and the executors of the Michael Jackson Estate has taken another sharp turn, with the Estate now seeking to recover more than $106,000 in legal fees from Michael’s daughter. On Friday, January 9, co-executors John Branca and John McClain filed court documents detailing the costs they say were incurred while responding to Paris’s recent court actions. According to the filing, the Estate accumulated approximately $94,000 in past legal expenses, along with an additional $21,000 earmarked for anticipated future fees, bringing the total to six figures.”

The 2026 Ruling: Why the Court Rejected Frank Cascio’s “Duress” Against the Michael Jackson Estate : “In a decisive victory for the Michael Jackson Estate this Wednesday, January 14, 2026, the Los Angeles Superior Court dealt a fatal blow to the narrative constructed by Frank Cascio. Judge Michael E. Whitaker issued a tentative ruling that not only remands the case to arbitration but surgically dissects and rejects the accuser’s central claim: that he was a helpless victim of corporate attorneys. The most revealing aspect of this decision lies in Judge Whitaker’s textual justification. In dismantling Frank Cascio’s victimization, the magistrate was surgical: “The immense pressure described by the Plaintiff [Cascio] came from his own family, not from the Petitioners [Estate] or their attorneys.”

Attorney Howard King : Cascio Kids Deserve $200M From MJ Estate!!!
Jackson Attorney Insists It’s Extortion 
: King explained Aldo’s breakdown, saying, “These kids are all damaged. One of the children in particular is severely damaged over what happened to him, and it’s only compounded by these ridiculous court proceedings where the estate publicly claims that he’s lying. He’s not lying.” King says the first thing he did when he was retained by the Cascio family in 2024 was record each of the 5 siblings detailing the abuse they claim to have suffered at the hands of Jackson. This allegedly resulted in 10 hours of video testimony.

Siblings Who Say Michael Jackson Molested Them Appear in Court to Fight Arbitration : Frank Cascio, his sister Marie, brothers Aldo and Dominic, and their parents also left the courthouse Wednesday without giving a statement. A follow-up hearing related to sealing documents in the case was set for March 5.

Michael Jackson’s ‘Second Family’ Shows Up in Court for Sex Abuse Settlement Hearing : Four siblings who allege they were abused by Michael Jackson as children were in the courtroom as a judge indicated that they likely won’t be able to sue the King of Pop’s estate due to an earlier settlement. Frank, Aldo, Marie-Nicole and Dominic Cascio, along with their parents, traveled to Los Angeles for a Wednesday (Jan. 14) hearing in their legal battle with the Jackson estate. Along with their brother Eddie, the four Cascio siblings spent much of their childhoods with Jackson and were considered his “second family.” Judge Michael E. Whitaker appeared likely to side with the Jackson estate, writing in a tentative ruling that the evidence submitted by Frank Cascio “does not support his characterization that he was forced to sign the agreement on a take-it-or-leave-it basis.” The judge said he’ll likely shut the door on litigation and order the parties into arbitration, though he wants to think it over some more before issuing a final decision. The Cascio family sat in the courtroom gallery throughout the arguments, and at least one sibling grew visibly emotional during the hearing. Speaking to the press afterward, Geragos said the family made the trip to Los Angeles because they “wanted to see for themselves the estate calling them liars.” Geragos said he’ll appeal if the judge ultimately enters an order compelling arbitration. Another lawyer working with the Cascios, Howard King, told the press that he has 10 hours of sworn video testimony from all five siblings about the alleged abuse. In a 2010 appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show, for example, the siblings said Jackson was “never” inappropriate with them. And in a 2011 memoir, Frank Cascio wrote, “Michael’s love for children was innocent, and it was profoundly misunderstood.”

Judge Signals Arbitration in Cascio vs. MJ Estate Case :” In short, Wednesday’s hearing did not determine guilt, innocence, or credibility. It did not evaluate evidence or hear testimony about the allegations. What it did signal is that the court believes the agreement Frank Cascio signed still carries legal weight and that this battle is likely to move out of the public courtroom and into private arbitration, away from headlines and public debate.”

TJ Jackson on X : “Those guys are absolute $nakes. My uncle did nothing but try to help them and support their family. When he passed the money stopped so they had to try multiple ways to leach off of him. First fake songs, then supportive books/appearances and now extorting the estate (all this as adults might I add). It’s always about $$$ with them and all these other frauds. Di$gusting. #MJInnocent”

January 15 : Paris attends the Bvlgari Eternal Vimini Rooftop Party in Los Angeles, California.

January 16 : Black or White” Reclaimed: Michael Jackson’s Short Film Restored to Its Original Vision

January 17 : Adrian Grant Returns With Can You Feel It: A New Michael Jackson Tribute for a New Era : “Can You Feel It is set for its world premiere in London on 23 May 2026, with the venue still to be announced. The show is also scheduled to tour China from July 2026. Casting is yet to be announced, and ticket information will follow once the London venue is confirmed.”

January 23 : Universal Germany shares a poster of Michael Movie : “Michael Global Fan Celebration. Berlin, Germany. April 10. Details to follow.”

Berlin to Kick Off Michael Premiere with Major Fan Celebration : “Berlin is preparing for a major moment this spring as the international premiere of the Michael biopic, the film celebrating the life of Michael Jackson, will take place in the German capital on April 10, 2026. But this will be far more than a traditional red-carpet screening. The premiere is set to launch several days of fan events and celebrations connected to the film. Producer Graham King revealed the news during the Munich Film Week, with distributor Universal Pictures confirming that actors and members of the filmmaking team are expected to attend the Berlin event. The city will serve as the starting point for a global spotlight moment around the film.”

Juliano Krue Valdi sits down with Jessica Vilchis from NBC California Live. He talks about his new animated film Arco & how excited he is to be playing young Michael Jackson & says that Jaafar had a big impact on him.

January 24 : Universal and Lionsgate share a new short teaser for Michael movie : “In 3 months: Experience the legend, the legacy, the life. MICHAEL – in theaters and IMAX April 24th. #MichaelMovie”. Prince & Jaafar share the new teaser.

January 27 : Universal France and UK share the same visual to promote the event in Berlin on April 10.

January 28 : Paris attends REPUBLIC Collective Artist Reception 2026 at Holloway House in West Hollywood, California.

January 29 : Bryan Loren, Michael Jackson Collaborator and New Jack Swing Pioneer, Dies at 58

Paris attends the 2026 Spotify Best New Artist at The Lot at Formosa in West Hollywood, California.

January 30 : Prince shares an instagram video from The Heal Los Angeles Foundation filmed at Hayvenhurst : “The King of Popcorn has some BIG updates : We are opening up an additional room inside Hayvenhurst! Only two King of Popcorn nights, both happening in August!

January 31 : Paris attends the 68th GRAMMY Awards Pre-GRAMMY Gala & GRAMMY Salute to Industry Icons Honoring Avery Lipman and Monte Lipman at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California.

MICHAEL MOVIE 2026

January 01 : Welcome to the Year of Michael : “As the clock struck midnight in parts of the world and while New Year’s Eve celebrations were still echoing elsewhere, Universal Pictures and Lionsgate quietly ignited something electric. A short teaser appeared online with a bold, confident message: “Welcome to the year of Michael.” Universal, Lionsgate, GK Films, Prince & Jaafar share the new teaser on their social medias.

“Adding to the excitement, Japan received something extra. Alongside the teaser, a new poster surfaced showing Jaafar Jackson, who portrays his uncle in the film, striking Michael’s iconic feet point on a massive stadium stage. The image is striking, confident, and instantly recognizable to any longtime fan.”

January 03 : MJ Estate shares the new biopic teaser : “How excited are you for April? #MichaelMovie”

January 05 : Rumour: A New MICHAEL Biopic Trailer to Play During the Super Bowl : “Rumors are heating up across social media this morning that the new official trailer for the highly anticipated Michael Jackson biopic, MICHAEL, could debut during Super Bowl LIX on February 8. The speculation began with The Beyond Reporter on X (formerly Twitter), and fans have since taken to their own social platforms to share the exciting possibility.”

January 13 : Permanent MICHAEL Display Installed at New Shanghai Hoyts Cinema : “A brand-new tribute to Michael Jackson has appeared in China. The newly opened Hoyts Cinema at Shanghai’s Qianwan Incity MEGA has unveiled a dedicated Michael Movie display, celebrating the enduring legacy of the King of Pop on the big screen.”

January 23 : Universal Germany shares a poster of Michael Movie : “Michael Global Fan Celebration. Berlin, Germany. April 10. Details to follow.”

Berlin to Kick Off Michael Premiere with Major Fan Celebration : “Berlin is preparing for a major moment this spring as the international premiere of the Michael biopic, the film celebrating the life of Michael Jackson, will take place in the German capital on April 10, 2026. But this will be far more than a traditional red-carpet screening. The premiere is set to launch several days of fan events and celebrations connected to the film. Producer Graham King revealed the news during the Munich Film Week, with distributor Universal Pictures confirming that actors and members of the filmmaking team are expected to attend the Berlin event. The city will serve as the starting point for a global spotlight moment around the film.”

Juliano Krue Valdi sits down with Jessica Vilchis from NBC California Live. He talks about his new animated film Arco & how excited he is to be playing young Michael Jackson & says that Jaafar had a big impact on him.

January 24 : Universal and Lionsgate share a new short teaser for Michael movie : “In 3 months: Experience the legend, the legacy, the life. MICHAEL – in theaters and IMAX April 24th. #MichaelMovie”. Prince & Jaafar share the new teaser.

January 27 : Universal France and UK share the same visual to promote the event in Berlin on April 10.

JACKSON DYNASTY JANUARY 2026

January 01 : Janet shares a 19 minutes video of rehearsal/backstage footage from her two last concerts. At the end of the video she reveals with a big smile : “I feel that we had an incredible 2025 but I think everybody is in for a treat in 2026 and I can’t wait”. Later, she shares new pics : “Happy New Year! Have a blessed 2026! I love u”.

Bobby Ross Avila shares a new pic with Janet on his Instagram page : “Bringing in the New Year “2026” with my Jan Jan!”

Welcome to the Year of Michael : “As the clock struck midnight in parts of the world and while New Year’s Eve celebrations were still echoing elsewhere, Universal Pictures and Lionsgate quietly ignited something electric. A short teaser appeared online with a bold, confident message: “Welcome to the year of Michael.” Universal, Lionsgate, GK Films, Prince & Jaafar share the new teaser on their social medias.

“Adding to the excitement, Japan received something extra. Alongside the teaser, a new poster surfaced showing Jaafar Jackson, who portrays his uncle in the film, striking Michael’s iconic feet point on a massive stadium stage. The image is striking, confident, and instantly recognizable to any longtime fan.”

LaToya shares a video of MJ performing Dangerous at the 1995 VMA’s : “I can watch this over and over and over again!!! The greatest! Happy New Year guys! goat #MichaelJackson #kingofpop #mjfans #instagood #HappyNewYear2026”

January 03 : Janet celebrates Eissa’s 9th birthday. She posts this message on her social medias : “To my beautiful heart and soul, may God continue to bless you and keep you close ALWAYS. Happy Birthday Baby”

MJ Estate shares the new biopic teaser : “How excited are you for April? #MichaelMovie”

Paris Jackson on Insta : “getting sober ain’t always the indication that life is perfect. a few years in it all got very very hard. for what felt like an eternity. and i didn’t have the same survival skills i was used to having to cope. i had to learn to live life on life’s terms. treatment resistant major depressive disorder is a bitch. so is CPSTD. and OCD. if you’ve got this shit, or anything of the sort, you’re not alone. hang in there and if no one’s told you they love you today, i love you.”

January 05 : Rumour: A New MICHAEL Biopic Trailer to Play During the Super Bowl : “Rumors are heating up across social media this morning that the new official trailer for the highly anticipated Michael Jackson biopic, MICHAEL, could debut during Super Bowl LIX on February 8. The speculation began with The Beyond Reporter on X (formerly Twitter), and fans have since taken to their own social platforms to share the exciting possibility.”

January 08 : LaToya shares an old video : “On a Throwback Thursday!
Me and @RuPaul having a little scene in a scene. Love you Ru @RuPaulsDragRace TBThursday #tbt #mood #rupaul #rupaulsdragrace #instagood #love #latoyajackson”

January 09 : The Biggest Michael Jackson Music Leak Since 2014: What Happened, Who Had Access, and Where Is the Estate? “In the past few days, the Michael Jackson world has experienced something few ever thought they would witness on this scale again: a massive, uncontrolled leak of unreleased songs, demos, alternate versions, and studio snippets”

January 10 : Paris attends The Cut Golden Globes Brunch held at The EDITION in West Hollywood, California. Later that day, she attends Vanity Fair and Amazon MGM Studios Celebrate Awards Season 2026 at Bar Marmont in Los Angeles, California.

January 13 : Permanent MICHAEL Display Installed at New Shanghai Hoyts Cinema : “A brand-new tribute to Michael Jackson has appeared in China. The newly opened Hoyts Cinema at Shanghai’s Qianwan Incity MEGA has unveiled a dedicated Michael Movie display, celebrating the enduring legacy of the King of Pop on the big screen.”

Janet shares pictures from her December concerts :

“Missing you already Photos: @solaimanfazel
Wardrobe Design & Styling: @robertbehar & @laureltcanyon
Shoes: @salomon
Makeup: @prestonmakeup
Hair: @chrisriosbeauty, @iamdavontae & @theurbanmeet, Wig by @shlomimorwigs”

January 14 : MJ Estate Submits $106,000 Legal Bill to Paris Jackson as Court Fight Intensifies : “The legal standoff between Paris Jackson and the executors of the Michael Jackson Estate has taken another sharp turn, with the Estate now seeking to recover more than $106,000 in legal fees from Michael’s daughter. On Friday, January 9, co-executors John Branca and John McClain filed court documents detailing the costs they say were incurred while responding to Paris’s recent court actions. According to the filing, the Estate accumulated approximately $94,000 in past legal expenses, along with an additional $21,000 earmarked for anticipated future fees, bringing the total to six figures.”

The 2026 Ruling: Why the Court Rejected Frank Cascio’s “Duress” Against the Michael Jackson Estate : “In a decisive victory for the Michael Jackson Estate this Wednesday, January 14, 2026, the Los Angeles Superior Court dealt a fatal blow to the narrative constructed by Frank Cascio. Judge Michael E. Whitaker issued a tentative ruling that not only remands the case to arbitration but surgically dissects and rejects the accuser’s central claim: that he was a helpless victim of corporate attorneys. The most revealing aspect of this decision lies in Judge Whitaker’s textual justification. In dismantling Frank Cascio’s victimization, the magistrate was surgical: “The immense pressure described by the Plaintiff [Cascio] came from his own family, not from the Petitioners [Estate] or their attorneys.”

Attorney Howard King : Cascio Kids Deserve $200M From MJ Estate!!!
Jackson Attorney Insists It’s Extortion
: King explained Aldo’s breakdown, saying, “These kids are all damaged. One of the children in particular is severely damaged over what happened to him, and it’s only compounded by these ridiculous court proceedings where the estate publicly claims that he’s lying. He’s not lying.” King says the first thing he did when he was retained by the Cascio family in 2024 was record each of the 5 siblings detailing the abuse they claim to have suffered at the hands of Jackson. This allegedly resulted in 10 hours of video testimony.

Siblings Who Say Michael Jackson Molested Them Appear in Court to Fight Arbitration : Frank Cascio, his sister Marie, brothers Aldo and Dominic, and their parents also left the courthouse Wednesday without giving a statement. A follow-up hearing related to sealing documents in the case was set for March 5.

Michael Jackson’s ‘Second Family’ Shows Up in Court for Sex Abuse Settlement Hearing : Four siblings who allege they were abused by Michael Jackson as children were in the courtroom as a judge indicated that they likely won’t be able to sue the King of Pop’s estate due to an earlier settlement. Frank, Aldo, Marie-Nicole and Dominic Cascio, along with their parents, traveled to Los Angeles for a Wednesday (Jan. 14) hearing in their legal battle with the Jackson estate. Along with their brother Eddie, the four Cascio siblings spent much of their childhoods with Jackson and were considered his “second family.” Judge Michael E. Whitaker appeared likely to side with the Jackson estate, writing in a tentative ruling that the evidence submitted by Frank Cascio “does not support his characterization that he was forced to sign the agreement on a take-it-or-leave-it basis.” The judge said he’ll likely shut the door on litigation and order the parties into arbitration, though he wants to think it over some more before issuing a final decision. The Cascio family sat in the courtroom gallery throughout the arguments, and at least one sibling grew visibly emotional during the hearing. Speaking to the press afterward, Geragos said the family made the trip to Los Angeles because they “wanted to see for themselves the estate calling them liars.” Geragos said he’ll appeal if the judge ultimately enters an order compelling arbitration. Another lawyer working with the Cascios, Howard King, told the press that he has 10 hours of sworn video testimony from all five siblings about the alleged abuse. In a 2010 appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show, for example, the siblings said Jackson was “never” inappropriate with them. And in a 2011 memoir, Frank Cascio wrote, “Michael’s love for children was innocent, and it was profoundly misunderstood.”

Judge Signals Arbitration in Cascio vs. MJ Estate Case :” In short, Wednesday’s hearing did not determine guilt, innocence, or credibility. It did not evaluate evidence or hear testimony about the allegations. What it did signal is that the court believes the agreement Frank Cascio signed still carries legal weight and that this battle is likely to move out of the public courtroom and into private arbitration, away from headlines and public debate.”

TJ Jackson on X : “Those guys are absolute $nakes. My uncle did nothing but try to help them and support their family. When he passed the money stopped so they had to try multiple ways to leach off of him. First fake songs, then supportive books/appearances and now extorting the estate (all this as adults might I add). It’s always about $$$ with them and all these other frauds. Di$gusting. #MJInnocent”

January 15 : Paris attends the Bvlgari Eternal Vimini Rooftop Party in Los Angeles, California.

January 16 : Janet shares a video to promote Project•GD by Gil Duldulao.

Black or White” Reclaimed: Michael Jackson’s Short Film Restored to Its Original Vision

January 17 : Adrian Grant Returns With Can You Feel It: A New Michael Jackson Tribute for a New Era : “Can You Feel It is set for its world premiere in London on 23 May 2026, with the venue still to be announced. The show is also scheduled to tour China from July 2026. Casting is yet to be announced, and ticket information will follow once the London venue is confirmed.”

January 23 : Universal Germany shares a poster of Michael Movie : “Michael Global Fan Celebration. Berlin, Germany. April 10. Details to follow.”

Berlin to Kick Off Michael Premiere with Major Fan Celebration : “Berlin is preparing for a major moment this spring as the international premiere of the Michael biopic, the film celebrating the life of Michael Jackson, will take place in the German capital on April 10, 2026. But this will be far more than a traditional red-carpet screening. The premiere is set to launch several days of fan events and celebrations connected to the film. Producer Graham King revealed the news during the Munich Film Week, with distributor Universal Pictures confirming that actors and mem Labers of the filmmaking team are expected to attend the Berlin event. The city will serve as the starting point for a global spotlight moment around the film.”

Juliano Krue Valdi sits down with Jessica Vilchis from NBC California Live. He talks about his new animated film Arco & how excited he is to be playing young Michael Jackson & says that Jaafar had a big impact on him.

January 24 : Universal and Lionsgate share a new short teaser for Michael movie : “In 3 months: Experience the legend, the legacy, the life. MICHAEL – in theaters and IMAX April 24th. #MichaelMovie”. Prince & Jaafar share the new teaser.

January 27 : LaToya shares pics from her stay in Germany last year : “Back to Germany with friends!”

Universal France and UK share the same visual to promote the event in Berlin on April 10.

January 28 : Paris attends REPUBLIC Collective Artist Reception 2026 at Holloway House in West Hollywood, California.

January 29 : Bryan Loren, Michael Jackson Collaborator and New Jack Swing Pioneer, Dies at 58

Paris attends the 2026 Spotify Best New Artist at The Lot at Formosa in West Hollywood, California.

January 30 : Prince shares an instagram video from The Heal Los Angeles Foundation filmed at Hayvenhurst : “The King of Popcorn has some BIG updates : We are opening up an additional room inside Hayvenhurst! Only two King of Popcorn nights, both happening in August!

Rebbie Jackson makes a surprise appearance at her son’s Austin Brown Pre Grammy party at Dreamland Aviator Nation in Malibu. She dances onstage with Austin.

January 31 : La Toya arrives in Frankfurt, Germany! She is set to attend a fashion show where she will also make her first runway appearance since 1996, walking to “Billie Jean” this Monday.

Paris attends the 68th GRAMMY Awards Pre-GRAMMY Gala & GRAMMY Salute to Industry Icons Honoring Avery Lipman and Monte Lipman at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California.