: LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – A spokesman for Michael Jackson released a statement on Monday denying as a "total fabrication" a report claiming that the former King of Pop needs a lung transplant due to a rare respiratory disease.
The statement, attributed to Jackson's "official and sole spokesperson, Dr. Tohme Tohme" and issued by Los Angeles firm Scoop Marketing, cites an interview with writer Ian Halperin in British newspaper the Sunday Express in which Halperin said Jackson was suffering from Alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency.
Halperin, who is at work on an unauthorized biography of the singer, also claims Jackson can barely speak, suffers from emphysema and internal bleeding, and has lost 95 percent of the vision in his left eye.
"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,'" said the statement attributed to Tohme.
"The writer's wild allegations concerning Mr. Jackson's health are a total fabrication," the statement said. "Mr. Jackson is in fine health and finalizing negotiations with a major entertainment company and television network for both a world tour and a series of specials and appearances."
Jackson, 50, one of the best-selling recording artists of all time, began his musical career with his siblings in the Motown group the Jackson 5 and went on release such hit solo albums as "Thriller."
But the singer has been dogged since the 1990s by scandal and revelations about his eccentric lifestyle. He was tried and acquitted of child sex abuse charges in 2005.
Well, MTO, maybe you should have gotten all the facts straight first before you decided to post the article about him supposedly dying.
This happened with Bernie Mac. MTO said he was dying, then posted that he was going home the same day, then he died, and to top it off, MTO comes in with, "WE TOLD YOU SO!" Bitch please!
it's true because it was on television last night...on Entertainment Tonight and they don't report anything that isn't verified and accurate for the purposes of lawsuits.
plus in their report...Jermaine Jackson gave an official statement saying, "Michael is NOT doing well at this time and the family is in distress"
this is REAL...not fabrication! Mike is gravely ill!
SMDH..
Legacy wasted. Mental illness within our community is a real result of American terrorism against us.
The whole family sliced and diced their ethnicity away, protected and excused a suspected pedophile. Sad really really really sad.
I've always wondered if someone molested him when he was a child. Jermaine's over protection of him is a little suspect. Just a thought...
When did Michael Jackson become the former King of Pop!? Who was crowned the new king and when did this happen?
All of these new acts from Chris Brown to Ne-Yo to Justin Timberlake own their style and sound to MJ!
Even Michael’s sister Janet has copied his style which in turn has caused Beyonce and Britney Spears to copy Janet.
Michael has make some mistakes along the way but all the surgery and legal troubles can not outshine his talent and the 40 + years of music he has given us.
I am happy to hear he is not near death. I would like it even more if he blessed us with another 40 years of music.
That picture is old as hell,and if you know Michael he is always playing the media.This however was not funny,I was not happy about these bogus reports,but really people Michael Jackson needing a lung transplant did n't sound like it was fabricated,and if he had this so called disease for years them how the hell was he able sing and dance.I love you Michael no matter what,you're still my superstar,and for the bitches hating,hate don't look good on you so why ya wearing it.
I don't care if it's a spokesperson, his brother, his sister, his friends, his mother, his father or whoever...they can all deny as much as they want to, but anyone with freaking common sense can tell there is something seriously wrong with MJ..both mentally and physically.
Look at that picture of him at the top of this page....what the hell is that?
People need to stop with all the denial and get him some help, if it's not too late already.
