Idol Chatter: July 2009 Archives

In an exclusive interview with Matt Lauer of the "Today Show," Jermaine Jackson speaks candidly about his relationship with Michael and how he viewed Michael's role on earth. Expressing his wish that he had passed away instead of Michael, Jermaine also reveals that he was Michael's backbone: "I was Aaron and he was sort of like Moses. Things he couldn't say, I would say them."

Jermaine's own Muslim faith (which was revealed during the press conference announcing Jackson's death) also came through when he said: "Michael is a gift from Allah, and he [Allah] has taken him back." Jermaine also explained that Michael always "wanted good for everyone" and that "he wanted to change things" through his song lyrics and actions by "going to hospitals, to orphanages, trying to cure children of cancer" in order to "bring enlightenment" to everyone.

Watch the Jermaine Jackson and Matt Lauer interview below:

Looks like the oldest JoBro is ready to give up his purity ring. People.com reports that Kevin, 21, proposed to his girlfriend of two years, Danielle Deleasa, 22, on Wednesday with a custom-designed engagement ring.

The two lovebirds met while on vacation in the Bahamas in 2007.  At the time they met and Kevin wooed her, Danielle hadn't heard of the "Jonas Brothers" and wasn't aware of the teen music phenonmenons.  After taking a red-eye flight from a concert performance in Vancouver, Kevin appeared on Danielle's New Jersey doorstep to pop the question.

So what will Kevin do with his purity ring?  Read a hilarious, fake Craigslist ad that the NYPost.com imagined Kevin would write.

For the millions of lovestruck teens out there, Joe and Nick Jonas are still holding on to their purity rings--at least for a little while.

Question: What do Michael Jackson and Pope John Paul II have in common?

Answer: They were the most recent famous public figures whose bodies were chosen for public viewing after their deaths.

Before Michael Jackson, another famous figure whose body was public viewing was Pope John Paul II in April 2005.  Droves of Catholics, people of faith, and tourists filled St. Peter's Square, standing in line to wait for a glimpse of the religious father figure who had bridged so many faiths, countries, and cultures.  Before that, even though Princess Diana's body was never presented for public viewing, her death in August 1997 brought together waves of people who left a blanket of bouquets outside Buckingham Palace.

Since the announcement that Michael Jackson's body will be sent back to his Neverland estate for public viewing this Friday, there's no doubt millions will descend upon Neverland to get a first and last look at the King of Pop.  While this may be sacrilegious to say, it's quite possible the crowd of mourners might outnumber the ones who left bouquets for Princess Diana and the ones who visited Pope John Paul II. 

Yet, what does it mean when the legacy of a pop music royalty can trump--and almost outweigh--the legacy of religious royalty and blood royalty? 

TVGuide.com discovered a wonderful video of Dolly Parton giving a heartfelt tribute to her close friend, Michael Jackson, a "true musical genius and fantastic performer and a really sweet, sweet soul." She also reveals her belief that Michael is rejoicing with the angels, because he always had the heart of one. Watch the video below.

For more on celebrities and the afterlife, read Idol Chatter blogger Doug Howe's piece, "Michael, Farrah, Ed, and Billy: Where Are They Now?"