Mainstream media's incessant fascination with Michael Jackson continues.
The Brisith tabloid, 'The Sun,' ran a story reporting that biographer Ian Halperin said that the pop music legend has lost 95% of his vision in his left eye and needs a lung transplant that he might be too weak to withstand.
And the story caught on like wildfire.
This evening, Michael Jackson's official and sole spokesperson, Dr. Tohme Tohme, issued a statement – via Larry Solters of Scoop Marketing -- in response to the recent rumors regarding the "King of Pop's" alleged medical condition:
"Concerning this author's allegations, we would hope in the future that legitimate media will not continue to be exploited by such an obvious attempt to promote this unauthorized 'biography.'"
"The writer's wild allegations concerning Mr. Jackson's health are a total fabrication," the statement continued.
Mel B Pictures
In this photo provided by Kraft Foods, Spice Girl "Mel B" poses for a photo wearing a T-shirt she designed based on the classic pink ribbon used for breast cancer awareness, after a fashion show and launch of "Pose for the Cure" web site to help Kraft Foods raise money for the 'Susan G. Komen for the Cure' fight against breast cancer in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008. The shirt is for sale on the web site and the net proceeds will benefit the foundation. (AP Photo/Kraft Foods, Ray Stubblebine) **NO SALES**
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In this photo provided by Kraft Foods, Spice Girl "Mel B" poses for a photo wearing a T-shirt she designed based on the classic pink ribbon used for breast cancer awareness, after a fashion show and launch of "Pose for the Cure" web site to help Kraft Foods raise money for the 'Susan G. Komen for the Cure' fight against breast cancer in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008. The shirt is for sale on the web site and the net proceeds will benefit the foundation. (AP Photo/Kraft Foods, Ray Stubblebine) **NO SALES**
AP
In this undated image released by Oxfam Tuesday Sept. 23, 2008, British singer Mel B participates in the 'In My Name' global campaign calling for action against poverty and demanding world leaders keep their promises on millennium development goals. (AP Photo/Oxfam, HO) ** NO SALES **
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In this photo provided by Kraft Foods, Spice Girl Mel B, left, serves as the emcee at a fashion show and launch of "Pose for the Cure" web site to help Kraft Foods raise money for the 'Susan G. Komen for the Cure' fight against breast cancer in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008. Mel B wears a T-shirt she designed based on the classic pink ribbon used for breast cancer awareness. The shirt is for sale on the web site and the net proceeds will benefit the foundation. The woman at right is unidentified. (AP Photo/Kraft Foods, Ray Stubblebine) **NO SALES**
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: TV personality and designer Khloe Kardashian and Olympic-level swimmer and model Amanda Beard (R) pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Ultimo Scottish designer lingerie brand founder Michelle Mone (L) and pop singer Melanie Brown pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown poses backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown and Olympic-level swimmer and model Amanda Beard (R) pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown and singer Aubrey O'Day (R) poses backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown, Olympic-level swimmer and model Amanda Beard, singer Aubrey O'Day and TV personality and designer Khloe Kardashian pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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"Mr. Jackson is in fine health, and finalizing negotiations with a major entertainment company & television network for both a world tour and a series of specials and appearances."
Jackson has always been a target of tabloid fodder. The 'Thriller' chart-topper even fuels some of the speculation with his bizarre public antics.
Most recently, paparazzi photographed him being pushed around in a wheelchair in the street.
Comments: (63)
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By: Marjul on 12/25/2008 10:32AM
The tabloids do not care what they print as long as it sells papers. And people who right un authorized books on people are only doing it it make money. They no that someone will buy there work thus creating a market for work that may or may not be true. I hope that a case of liable can be proven in a court of law that will set a presidence for those who dare to write falsehoods to detour them from even starting to write trash on people.Words hurt people and when words are released they can not be retracted. This so called journalists should be ashame to even be called professionals.
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By: Juliana on 12/23/2008 12:12AM
The first article said he's got emphysema, and chronic stomach ulcers. Any nurse knows that emphsema
i.e. COPD is caused by smoking, and that chronic stomach ulcers, especially bleeding ones ,is a classic sign of alchoholism.
ok, I'll concede that maybe he got COPD from 2nd hand smoke from his parents and his brothers, and being in smoky bars adn clubs when he was little.
signed,
an LPN.
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By: dj42598 on 12/23/2008 8:39AM
This was just another one of his publicity stunts! He deserves to rot the disgusting child molester!
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By: Bev on 12/23/2008 9:52AM
please let Michael Jackson have privacy and enjoy his family and children. He has given to the worl his whole life since a child. Entertaining and helping children around the globe. This journalist should be banned from selling lies. DO NOT BUY HIS BOOKS!!!
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By: pamelicious2001 on 12/23/2008 10:02AM
I've always wondered what happened to cause Micheal Jackson to change his appearance, he was so handsome in the first photo, even during his thriller days he was looking good.... NOW.... NOT SO MUCH
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By: jasoncaja08 on 12/23/2008 10:33AM
Who gives a flying funk about the "Queen of Pop"! I don't! As usual he is trying to get people to feel sorry for him! I don't! This Perv needs to shrivel up and just die! No one that I know even likes the THING he is and has become. Not now or ever! He sings like he got kicked in the B@lls. Or is it because during his surgery he had them removed! Either way he is a FREAK!!!
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By: supermidlifecrisis on 9/07/2009 4:26PM
Aren't you glad you wrote what you wrote???? Kharma is a bitch.... Watch what you wish for....
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By: thejefferson on 12/23/2008 10:33AM
Michael Jackson is a freak-show who puts all his insane antics right in people's faces. He molests children, has a banged up view of reality from all that his parents put him through as a child... If you're going to remaina public figure and continue to behave like a TOTAL WHACK JOB, then you deserve everything people write about you.... absolute, complete, total definition of a FREAK SHOW!!!
Boo... I have no sympathy. I don't take my life lessons from inspiring songs written by someone who should obviously be in a padded cell eating pudding...
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By: toughhombre on 12/23/2008 10:59AM
Jackson went from being a nice looking kid to a pathetic freak. His current condition is the result of the entertainment world's pre occupation with self indugence and the attempt to idiolize themselves with eternal youth. His appearance and the public's reaction to him is the price he is now paying for his sin of over indulgence. As he ages he will only look stranger and stranger.
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By: k45406 on 12/23/2008 11:14AM
Who cares if this freak is walking around or not? If it's not something that is happening in my life, then it's just gossip.
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