Music Feed

Madonna accused of Satanic provocation

2009-08-06T14:37:00.004+02:00

MADONNA has been accused of "Satanic provocation" for performing in Poland on a religious day.

The Material Girl was criticised for holding the gig, part of her Sticky & Sweet tour, in Warsaw on August 15.

This is the date of the Feast Of The Assumption when Mary ascended to Heaven according to Catholic doctrine.

At a press conference held last month, ex-president and Solidarity founder Lech Walesa said: "It is a Satanic provocation. I am a man of faith and ask for such events not to happen on such an important feast in my religion."

Protest leader Father Stanislaw Malkowski added: "This is an attack by the devil on our immaculate Catholic nation. This concert is a profanity and blasphemous."

Parliamentarian Marian Brudzynski, who has promised two weeks of protest over the date, said: "The concert of a highly perverse singer who calls herself 'Madonna' is deeply humiliating to Warsaw residents and Poles in general."

Rihanna wants Brown's court order changed

2009-08-05T14:14:00.001+02:00

Rihanna wants Chris Brown's court order downgraded.

The 'Umbrella' singer doesn't feel it is necessary for the 'Run It' singer - who pleaded guilty of assaulting her in February - to have to keep 50 yards away from her at all times.

Instead, she feels a level-one protective restraining order would be sufficient.

Her lawyer Donald Etra said: "That order would prevent Chris from annoying, molesting or harassing her. That level-one order would fully protect her.

"The order in effect now is a stay-away order preventing them from coming within 50 yards of each other.

"But Rihanna's position from the beginning is that there was no need for that level of protective order."

Chris was charged with felony assault and making criminal threats following the altercation on February 8.

Chris - who is due to be formally sentenced today (05.08.09) - pleaded guilty to assault in June and was sentenced to five years' probation, 180 days of community service and an anti-domestic violence programme.

He has since apologised for his "inexcusable" attack on ex-girlfriend Rihanna.

In a video posted online the 20-year-old singer said sorry for his actions and insisted he accepted "full responsibility" over the incident which left Rihanna with several facial injuries and temporarily unconscious.

Since the attack, Chris and Rihanna have been spotted together on several occasions and are rumoured to have rekindled their romance.

Recently, they both reportedly stayed at New York's Trump International Hotel and Tower under a "cloak of secrecy".

Madonna plans Auschwitz trip for children

2009-08-03T13:05:00.001+02:00

Madonna wants to take her children to Auschwitz so they can "see how lucky they are".

The '4 Minutes' singer thinks a visit to the famous concentration camp will be "life changing" for Lourdes, 12, Rocco, eight, newly adopted Mercy, four, and David, three.

The 50-year-old star - who is a devout follower of Kabbalah, a mystical religion based on Judaism - is expected to make the trip when her she takes her 'Sticky and Sweet' tour to Poland later this month, and has already asked her staff to organise it.

An insider told Britain's Daily Mirror newspaper: "It won't be an easy trip but it is an ultimate life affirming experience, and one Madonna - because of her strong Kabbalah beliefs - does not want to ignore.

"She wants her children to appreciate how lucky they are and to learn about mistakes made in the past."

Auschwitz was the largest of Adolf Hitler's concentration camps built when the Nazis invaded Poland in 1941.

It is estimated up to three million Jews, gypsies and people of other ethnic groups were killed there.

Madonna is also believed to be planning to take the children to see the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem.

A source said: "The Wailing Wall is a very sacred place for anyone with links to the Jewish faith and she wants the children to see it."

The trip will reportedly happen in September to coincide with Madonna's final date of her tour in Tel Aviv, Israel.

Bono admits to being annoying

2009-08-02T15:58:00.003+02:00

BONO has acknowledged that people probably find him annoying.

The U2 frontman admitted he knows he is disliked because of his ego, but insisted that being big-headed made him successful.

He said: "I can be annoying. I have a kind of annoying gene.

"As Delmore Schwartz said, 'Ego is always at the wheel.' It's just with rock stars, it's more obvious. The need to be loved and admired doesn't come from a particularly pretty place.

"But people tend to do a lot of great things with it. Ego, yes, but the ego is in everything human beings are capable of. Without ego, things would be so dull."

The 49-year-old singer also said he is usually the inspiration for his songs.

Talking to the Guardian, he said: "The villain is usually me. The hypocrisy of the human heart is the number one target. Rarely do we point the finger at anyone other than ourselves.

"U2 choose more interesting targets than other bands. Your own hypocrisies, your addictions we never pick the obvious. I think we make our enemies very interesting."

Jackson saved millions for dream home

2009-07-27T19:27:00.002+02:00

Michael Jackson had secretly stored away cash so he could buy his "dream home".

The Thriller singer - who died of a suspected cardiac arrest, believed to have been caused by prescription drugs, last month - was desperate to purchase the 10-acre estate in Las Vegas, which he named Wonderland, and had put away £3.3 million for the property.

Jackson planned to raise the rest of the cash needed from his 50-night This Is It residency at London's O2 arena.

The property, which was valued at £15 million, boasted 10 bedrooms and Jackson wanted to turn it into the new Neverland, the ranch he left in 2005.

Estate agent Zar Zanganeh, who showed the father-of-three around the house in 2007, said: "He loved it. He said he could do anything he wanted there, like in Neverland. It was top of his list. He had every intention of purchasing the property.

"His children were his number one priority, his biggest fear was they would be kidnapped and held for ransom, and he loved that it had panic rooms and a secret tunnel with exits. It was privately gated so Michael could use his own security."

One of Jackson's advisers had been looking after the pop legend's secret cash so he would have some money available to purchase the property, which has both an indoor and outdoor pool and a 1,000 sq ft play area.

Aide Dr. Tohme Tohme said: "It was a secret between Michael and me. He said, 'Don't tell anyone about this money.'"

After Jackson's death, Tohme handed the money over to the executors of the 50-year-old star's will, who had no idea the cash existed.

Pussycat Dolls spend thousands on birthday

2009-07-26T17:56:00.001+02:00

PUSSYCAT DOLLS racked up thousands of pounds in booze while out partying in London.

The girl group were landed with a $27,000 (£18,000) bar tab while celebrating their manager's birthday in the VIP section at the Alto nightclub last week.

One partygoer said: "All of them were out to enjoy themselves and the drinks brought to their table included two giant vodka bottles."

And singer Nicole Scherzinger used the night out as an excuse to find bandmate Ashley Roberts a date.

Speaking to the London Paper, a source said: "Nicole was on a manhunt - not for herself of course, but for bandmate Ashley.'

Shakira wants to sing with vampire star

2009-07-26T02:21:00.002+02:00

SHAKIRA has said she would like to do a duet with actor Robert Pattinson.

The Colombian singer said she fell in love with his vampire flick Twilight after bosses at her record label introduced her to the film, the first in the series based on Stephanie Meyer's best-selling books.

They told her there were many similarities between the film and her upcoming album, She Wolf.

Speaking to MTV.com, she said: "The president of my label said, 'Have you checked out Twilight? It's about wolves and vampires and things.' And I'm like, 'Ah, that's up my alley. I mean, where is it?' And I watched it and loved it."

She said she would love to collaborate with Pattinson, who played piano and recorded vocals for two songs on the Twilight soundtrack.

She added: "I've heard he's a great singer and a great musician. If those rumours are true - yeah, of course, why not?"

London man dies at Serbian music festival

2009-07-12T12:26:00.006+02:00

MAN from London has died after falling from a wall at a biggest European music festival in Serbia.

Anthony Fisk, 22, fell from Petrovaradin fortress in Novi Sad at the the annual Exit event on Friday.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office said he was taken to hospital yesterday but died from his injuries.

A spokesman said: "We can confirm the death of a British national in Serbia following a fall at a music festival and we are providing consular assistance to the family."

Up to 200,000 people are expected to attend the four-day festival, north of Belgrade, to see acts such as Korn, Lily Allen, the Arctic Monkeys, Manic Street Preachers and Madness.

The festival began in 2000 as a spontaneous student uprising against the regime of Slobodan Milosevic.

Organisers said they hoped it would persuade music fans to vote to find an "exit out of 10 years of madness".

Jackson didn't want his father near his kids

2009-07-11T15:13:00.003+02:00

MICHAEL JACKSON begged his friends not to let his father look after his children in the event of his death.

The King of Pop reportedly told them he was adamant that Joe, who he accused of physically abusing him as a child, should care for Prince Michael, 12, Paris, 11, and seven-year-old Prince Michael II.

A source said: "Michael talked so much about his kids. He said he was doing his comeback concerts for them. He hoped to give them financial security.

"It was as though he'd had a premonition of his own death. The one thing he wanted - and insisted upon - was that his father Joe didn't get anywhere near the kids.

"I know the last thing he wanted was for Joe to play a part in the raising of his children if he died. He told me, 'I don't want him doing to them what he did to me.' "

It was also claimed that Jackson was keen for his mother Katherine to care for the children, but also wanted his sister Janet to have some input.

The source told the National Enquirer: "The family is going to splinter over this. Janet will go up against her mother and will likely get the backing of her brothers.

"But her sister La Toya will side with her mother.

"It is believed Michael named Janet to get custody on some papers. He often said in the last two years, 'Janet is the only sane person in my whole family. She's the only one who isn't out for herself and actually cares about these kids.' "

Sugababe got nosey in Jay-Z's bathroom

2009-07-11T15:09:00.003+02:00

KEISHA BUCHANAN has admitted that she only used Jay-Z's bathroom so she could have a snoop around.

The Sugababe said when the band signed to the rapper's label, the best thing was that she got to have a look around his office.

Keisha said: "One thing I do remember is that I didn't even need to use the toilet, I just went in there just to touch around. I was holding the handle thinking, 'Beyonce has definitely been in there, she's definitely held that.' "

Her bandmate Heidi Grange added: "We've been in his office. We were snooping. We haven't actually met him yet."

Keisha also spoke how how the third Sugababe, Amelle Berrabah was accused of spreading rumours that she was dating rapper Kanye West.

She explained: "Kanye came up to me a little while ago - because he was in relationship when the first rumour came out about him and Amelle - and he thought I was Amelle and he was like, 'You know that caused a lot of drama,' and I was like, 'I don't even know what's going on.'

"Then we managed to clear it up and he said, 'I'm not mad at you any more.' "

Britney collapses during tour rehearsal

2009-07-11T15:05:00.001+02:00

BRITNEY SPEARS has sparked fresh fears for her health after collapsing during a recent rehearsal on the European leg of her CIRCUS world tour, according to reports.

The Toxic hitmaker was practising a dance routine for a new song when she reportedly keeled over, suffering a bruise to her chest.

A source tells the National Enquirer, "She collapsed when the dancers went to put her back on her feet. She fell to the floor and landed on one of the dancer's legs.

"The dancer's tennis shoe smacked Britney in the chest and on the face. It hit her chest with such a force that it caused a four-inch bruise."

The U.S. tabloid suggests Britney's hectic tour schedule and a low blood-sugar level were responsible for the incident.

Timberlake won't promote fragrance range

2009-07-11T15:04:00.002+02:00

JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE said he refuses to lend his name to a line of fragrances.

The singer said he would never give his own name to an aftershave because it implied a "level of narcissism".

Timberlake has been the face luxury fashion brand Givenchy's men's fragrances Play and Play Intense for nearly a year but has turned up his nose at having his own name on a cologne just to boost sales.

But when bosses at his own fashion brand William Rast approached him with the idea, Timberlake said he may consider doing one through that.

Speaking to Women's Wear Daily, he said: "There’s some level of narcissism you have to put in check. I don’t know that I would be completely comfortable with a my-name fragrance.

"It feels like cheating, almost. It doesn’t seem like you’re creating anything... I could see doing a William Rast fragrance, but that’s as far as I think I’ll take it.'

Britney Spears to become a Jew

2009-07-10T14:24:00.002+02:00

Britney Spears is converting to Judaism.

The 'Womanizer' singer is reportedly so keen to marry her agent Jason Trawick she is willing to ditch her Christian faith and become a Jew.

The 27-year-old star has been photographed wearing a Star of David necklace during her world tour and has even recruited a rabbi to help her study the faith.

An insider said: "Britney wants to try the religion Jason was brought up with."

It's not the first time Britney has changed faith. She dabbled in Kabbalah - which is a mystical off-shoot of Judaism - in 2005 after Madonna suggested it.

Meanwhile, Britney's ex-boyfriend Adnan Ghalib has been ordered to stand trial for felony assault with a deadly weapon, battery and hit-and-run after he allegedly tried to run over a court official in February.

The Los Angeles man had been trying to serve the paparazzo with legal papers when he was hit by Adnan's vehicle.

Adnan will be arraigned on July 23. If he is convicted, he faces up to seven years in prison.

Jackson's daughter to record a song for him

2009-07-10T14:22:00.002+02:00

Michael Jackson's daughter wants to record a song for her beloved dad.

Paris Jackson - who made an emotional tribute to the pop legend at his memorial service on Tuesday (07.07.09) - is keen to sing on a track after being inspired by the artists who performed at the star-studded service at Los Angeles' Staples Center.

A source said: "Paris was overwhelmed. She never comprehended the scope of his fame."

The 11-year-old girl - who went on stage with her family, including brothers Prince Michael and Prince Michael II, where she described Michael as the best father in the world - has discussed her plans with her musical aunts, uncles and grandparents but they are keen to protect her privacy.

The source added: "The Jacksons are very reluctant. But she's convinced it's a good idea."

When Michael was alive, he was keen to keep the children out of the spotlight and on the rare occasions they did venture out, he made them wear face masks.

Meanwhile, Michael - who died last month after suffering a suspected cardiac arrest - is set to come back to life in a new video game.

The 'Thriller' singer will be the main character in the computer adventure, which he had already recorded voiceover lines for, shortly before his death.

A worker on the game - which his firm MJJ Productions have been working on for months - said: "I am sure it will still be released. Michael loved games."

It will not be the first time the 50-year-old star has appeared in a video game.

In 1990 he co-developed 'Michael Jackson's Moonwalker', which was playable in arcades and on home consoles and based on his 'Moonwalker' film.

The story, which is taken from the movie, follows Michael as he uses various music and dance related abilities to defeat enemies while on a quest to save kidnapped children from the hands of the evil 'Mr. Big'.

Some of his biggest hits, including 'Beat It' and 'Smooth Criminal', were incorporated into the game.

Lady GaGa says she is skint

2009-07-10T14:19:00.001+02:00

Lady Gaga has no money.

Despite her worldwide success, the 'Poker Face' singer insists she is completely penniless because her elaborate stage shows and costumes cost so much.

She said: "I've gone bankrupt about four times now. My manager wants to shoot me!

"Every dollar I earn goes on the show. Now we're finally getting to a place where it's not bankruptcy.

"Then again, with another tour coming up soon I'll probably be homeless again."

The singer also revealed she is currently single - but doesn't go without sex on tour because she beds her bandmates.

She added: "I'm a single girl. I like to have a good time. I just sleep with the guys in the band all the time because it's easier."

Although she isn't dating anyone at present, the star has confessed to having a strong bond with shock rocker Marilyn Manson and 'Stronger' rapper Kanye West.

She explained: "I love Marilyn Manson. I'm a big fan of his new record. I'm enjoying our death romance.

"I truthfully adore Kanye. I always poke fun at him and joke around. We have a lovely creative relationship. He's so sweet. I can't say enough good things. He's undeniably brilliant."

Jackson medic admits donating sperm

2009-07-09T22:04:00.001+02:00

Michael Jackson's former doctor has confessed he has previously donated sperm - but is unaware if it was used to father the singer's two oldest children.

Dr. Arnold Klein - who is rumoured to the biological dad of Prince Michael, 12, and 11-year-old Paris - once gave his semen to a sperm bank but insisted he never donated it to the late pop star. Klein - whose former nurse Debbie Rowe was once married to Michael and is the mother of Prince and Paris - told US TV show 'Larry King Live': "I once donated sperm but it was absolutely not to him."

Having previously denied being the father of the children, when Klein was asked again who the biological dad was, he replied: "Here's the most important thing. Michael loved those children. Those children loved him as a father. As far as I am concerned, that's the most important grouping there is."

When pressed further, he replied: "I'm not going to answer it the way you want me to answer it because. I will say no if that's what you want to hear. "What I will tell you is I think what's most important about this whole thing, about who the father is... is who the children want their father to be.

"I think, to the best of my knowledge, I'm not the father." Although Michael - who went on to have another son, Prince Michael II, also known as 'Blanket', via a surrogate mother - always insisted he was Prince and Paris' biological father, Debbie previously alleged they were conceived using artificial insemination with sperm which was not Michael's.

Klein - who was the 'Thriller' singer's dermatologist for 20 years - also admitted he performed several cosmetic procedures on Michael, in particular his nose. He said: "I rebuilt it, yes. Using fillers. I used Rezulin. I used hydronic acids, and they worked very well. It's an arduous procedure, because you don't want to put too much in. And you have to do it exactly, so you can flow the material so it's perfectly smooth.

"So we rebuilt them. And I'm telling you that he was beginning to look like the nose was normal again. And that's all I wanted - for him to regain the breathing in the passages of his nose, because there was a total collapse of the cartilage."

He also confessed to giving him Demerol, the powerful painkiller Michael was reportedly addicted to. He claimed he only gave him the drug "on occasion" to sedate him and that it was the "strongest medicine" he'd ever administered to Michael - who died from a suspected cardiac arrest last month, amid allegations he was taking a cocktail of prescription drugs.

Madonna takes Mercy on her first trip

2009-07-09T22:02:00.004+02:00

MADONNA has taken her newly-adopted daughter on her first trip.

The Material Girl arrived in Paris on the next stop of her Sticky and Sweet world tour and showed off Mercy James for the first time.

Madonna adopted the four-year-old girl from Malawi last month.

Yesterday she and Mercy arrived in the French capital with her son David, three, and daughter Lourdes, 13.

As they arrived at the city's historic Ritz Hotel, Mercy, dressed in pink with her hair in cornrows, held Madonna's hand tightly as she stopped to take in her surroundings.

Rocco, eight, her son with ex-husband, director Guy Ritchie, was absent having attended the Harry Potter premiere in London on Tuesday.

Britney's former manager slams her parents

2009-07-09T21:59:00.003+02:00

Britney Spears' former manager claims the singer's family has ruined his life.

Sam Lutfi - who is suing the Spears family for defamation - has filed legal papers detailing how the singer's parents Jamie and Lynne have made his life a living hell.

In them, he claims Lynne's book, 'Through The Storm', is "full of lies", particularly when she says he drugged Britney by grinding up pills and hiding them in her food.

As a result of the accusations, Lutfi says he is constantly "harassed and cajoled by the public".

He added: "I am constantly in fear for my life."

Britney's ex-boyfriend, paparazzo Adnan Ghalib, has written a declaration supporting Lutfi, swearing the manager was not drugging the star to hold her hostage.

Lutfi was banned from approaching Britney for three years in April, after a Los Angeles judge imposed a restraining order.

He must stay at least 100 yards away from the 27-year-old singer, and cannot attempt to contact her via email, phone or mail.

Jamie Spears filed for a restraining order against Lutfi and Ghalib earlier this year, claiming they had repeatedly harassed Britney.

Beckhams named their son after Tom Cruise

2009-07-09T21:56:00.003+02:00

David Beckham named his third son after Tom Cruise.

The soccer star - who is married to former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham - became close friends with the 'Top Gun' star in 2003 and the actor was the inspiration behind the naming of little Cruz, who was born in 2005 while David was still playing for Spanish giants Real Madrid.

David - who has two other sons, Brooklyn, 10, and six-year-old Romeo - told writer Grant Wahl for his book 'The Beckham Experiment': "I must admit, when Victoria and I met Tom, I remember turning around to Victoria and saying, 'Cruise is a great name, but we could spell it different.' And also, living in Spain, Cruz is spelled the way it is in Spanish. So that's why we got it."

Although Tom - who is married to actress Katie Holmes - has been very influential in many of David's decisions, including signing with the Los Angeles Galaxy and hiring the same PR firm as him, one thing he hasn't influenced is the Beckhams' religion.

While Tom and Katie are devout followers of the bizarre sci-fi cult Scientology, David and Victoria prefer to stick to their own beliefs.

The handsome athlete said: "It's something I respect, because Tom's explained to me and Victoria what it's all about. But he's never turned around and said, 'That is what you should be doing,' because he would never do that. He and Katie have their beliefs ... but me and Victoria have also got our own."

Eminem's new single with Dr. Dre and 50 Cent set a record for digital downloads

2009-07-08T22:32:00.003+02:00

Guess who's back? Shady's back. Last week, Eminem made a splashy return to the spotlight when his new single, "Crack a Bottle," leapt from No. 78 to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, setting a record for first-week digital downloads. It's easy to understand why mainstream hip-hop fans are excited. Here we have the once controversial MC, absent in recent years, teaming up with mentor Dr. Dre and protege 50 Cent during a time of ho-hum commercial hip-hop options. But it's hard to find the real Slim Shady in the disappointing "Crack a Bottle." (There are also reports that the song will actually wind up on 50 Cent's anticipated 2009 release, "Before I Self Destruct.") There are no truly crackling couplets and little humor, either crude or clever, to be had on the sluggish track. (Although he deserves credit for nimbly working in the phrase "Worcestershire sauce.") The platinum-plated trio simply recycle mind-numbingly overused tropes about chicks, partying, and self-promotion over a limp groove and what sounds like a dying siren and digital cordless phones ringing in the background. Eminem's been crude and juvenile in the past, but he also has a real flair for expressing rage creatively, which means lyrics like "So crack a bottle, let your body waddle, don't act like a snobby model, you just hit the lotto" are a real letdown. Hopefully, the real Slim Shady will stand up when Eminem's album "Relapse" drops later this year.

Britney Spears: I'm Not Sad Anymore

2009-07-08T22:21:00.002+02:00

Britney Spears has had one heck of a life. She rose to fame at such a young age, had her downfall and is now back on top again. And she's not even 30!

Spears admits however that while she was on her downfall a lot of people, including herself, didn't think she would make it and would never would be on top again. Boy was everyone wrong!

“A lot of people thought I wouldn’t make it. People thought I was finished, didn’t they?” Britney says.

“I guess for a while last year it looked that way. Nothing I can do about the past. But I’m hoping to prove them wrong now. And I have really put everything I have into this new show.”

Britney also admits that she was very sad for a while, which was probably the cause of all that drama these past few years. But don't worry because she's very happy now!

“I’m not sad any more,” Britney says. “I was just so sad for such a long time, but not any more. And you know what? That feels really, really good. I’m happy. Truly. I feel like the girl who has it all. I have my family, my boys, my friends, my fans, this show.”

Britney definitely does have it all right now and it really is thanks to her father who stepped in at the right time and helped his little daughter get back to the top.

Fergie's husband was amazed she married him

2009-07-08T22:18:00.002+02:00

Josh Duhamel is amazed Fergie agreed to marry him.

The 'Transformers' actor - who tied the knot with the Black Eyed Peas star earlier this year - still can't believe the 34-year-old singer wanted to spend her life with him.

He said: "It just feels more chilled now because there's less pressure. We've done it, we're together, we're happy and it's a great feeling. Everything I do now involves Fergie, and I love that. Sometimes it amazes me that she chose me."

The 36-year-old actor is blissfully happy with his wife, and claims the key to having a strong relationship is making the effort to get to know each other properly.

He explained to Women's Health magazine: "What makes a happy marriage is taking the time to learn each other's behaviour - and noting how they treat you. My parents were divorced, and that was the last thing I wanted for myself.

"I waited until I was 36 to propose, and I'm really proud of that.

"Sometimes guys get caught up in who they think is the right girl and what friends and family push on them, but for me, it was a natural step. I got the best girl in the world."

Lady GaGa feels like showbiz outsider

2009-07-08T22:15:00.002+02:00

LADY GAGA has admitted to feeling like an outsider.

The Poker Face star said she doesn't like hanging out with celebrities, an attitude that hasn't changed following the success of her debut album The Fame.

Speaking to the Kansas City Star, she said: "I'm kind of the odd person out in general. I don't really like hanging out with celebrities, and I don't fit into that world, as I sort of keep to myself.

"So in a way, even in the new group of cool kids and the pop music world, I'm still the odd girl, but I'm okay with it. I like being the odd girl now, it's where I live."

"Lady GaGa is who I am. Me and my hair bow, we go to bed together. She sleeps where I sleep."

Jackson's kids holding up well

2009-07-08T22:10:00.001+02:00

Michael Jackson's children sat at a VIP table at the reception following his memorial.

Prince Michael, 12, 11-year-old Paris - who paid an emotional tribute to her father at the service yesterday (07.07.09) - and seven-year-old Prince Michael II, also known as 'Blanket', sat with 12 other children in The Grand Ballroom at Beverly Hills' Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel.

The kids' former nanny Grace Rwaramba was heard saying: "The kids are holding up really well. It's good for them to be around the other kids."

According to reports, the trio were sitting with cousins ranging in age from seven to 17, and spent much of the reception "playing and goofing around".

America's Us Weekly magazine reported: "Blanket appeared playful at the reception, tickling his cousins and tapping others on the shoulder and then running away."

At one point all the youths gathered to look at the programme from the ceremony which included pictures of Michael - who died aged 50 after suffering a suspected cardiac arrest last month.

The children were "polite and poised" and dealt well with the constant stream of well-wishers who came to greet them. A musical quartet played soft music at the event, while guests ate mini-cheeseburgers, mini-crab cakes and a selection of cheeses.

A host of famous faces attended, including Corey Feldman - who attended the earlier memorial dressed as Michael - Usher, Wesley Snipes, Mariah Carey, Jesse Jackson, Spike Lee and 'Slumdog Millionaire' star Anil Kapoor. Brooke Shields - who paid tribute to her friend Michael at the service - was also present, but seemed quiet and emotional.

Michael's siblings spent much of the reception talking to each other - although it has been claimed sister Janet distanced herself from the rest of the family - and numerous guests thanking them for coming. Brother Jermaine was seen hugging several attendees, while sisters La Toya and Janet were also seen chatting to well-wishers.

Michael's parents Joe and Katherine spent time with Brooke, while Joe was also seen in conversation with Corey - who was estranged from the 'Smooth Criminal' singer at the time of his death. Katherine - who is the temporary guardian of Michael's children - left with Prince, Paris and 'Blanket'.

igra

2009-02-07T01:35:00.001+01:00

Spike Boy games

Igrice

2009-02-07T00:43:00.003+01:00