Michael Jackson's children look happy and healthy in first interview since their father's death

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By MAIL ONLINE SHOWBIZ REPORTER

Smiling through: Michael Jackson's sons Prince, left, and Blanket, right, are to be interviewed for the first time on Oprah Winfrey this Monday


Their lives were shrouded in secrecy for most of their childhood, their identities a fiercely guarded secret behind masks enforced by their paranoid father.

But since his death, Michael Jackson's children have come out into the open, appearing at his televised funeral and enrolling in a normal school where they mix with other children.

Now, Prince, 13, Paris, 12, and Blanket, eight, have now taken the next step and are going public with an exclusive interview with Oprah Winfrey to be shown this Monday.
Scroll down for a preview of the show.

It's part of an 'extensive' chat the chat show queen has landed with the pop star's mother Katherine.

The children look remarkably happy, healthy and well-adjusted as they chat to Oprah just over a year since the death of their father stunned the world.

In the sit-down, which was filmed at the Jackson home in Encino, California, last weekend, Mrs Jackson will open up about the day the music icon died in June last year.

Little lady: Oprah talks to Michael's daughter Paris, who looks relaxed in the TV host's company as they share a chat over dinner


Emotional: Katherine shares what happened the night her son died and what life is like for her now looking after her three grandchildren


Uncomfortable: Oprah is set to ask Michael's father Joe some hard-hitting questions about his relationship with his son


The 80-year-old matriarch is also expected to reflect on Michael's life as a child star. Her husband Joe appears along with their three grandchildren in a 'backyard' visit by Winfrey.

It is unknown if the family will discuss a dispute with the singer's estate, who have signed a $250 million deal with Sony to release a CD of new Michael Jackson material at the end of the year.

Katherine Jackson says that five of the songs on the album, recorded in 2007 at the home of his friends the Cascios, are by 'an imposter.'

A source told X17 Online: 'Katherine says its not his voice, but the estate says its going to release the album anyway.


Exclusive: Michael Jackson's children Prince (centre), Paris (second right) and Blanket (right) will appear in an episode of Oprah with their grandparents in an interview taped at their home in Encino, California


Tell all: The Queen of daytime TV secured the exclusive interview, in which Katherine Jackson will open up about the day Michael died


'The Cascios family built a studio in their home for Michael when he stayed with them in New Jersey back in 2007, and he did a lot of recordings while he was there.


Dispute: The Jackson family say a CD of new tracks by the artist feature the vocals of an 'impostor'


'I think the Cascios added what they wanted to Jackson's partially recorded tracks and took the material to Sony after he died. Michael left a lot of stuff behind and I think they are taking advantage of that.'

Sony, who are expected to release the album despite the family's concerns, are said to have brought in forensic audiologists to determine if it the vocals are Jacksons.

X17 Online also reports that Prince and Paris, who were present at the 2007 recordings at the Cascio's New Jersey home, have been asked to verify the vocals on the songs.

There are online rumours that Harpo Productions are also trying to secure a taping with Debbie Rowe, the reclusive mother of Prince and Paris. Harpo has not commented on these claims.

The highly anticipated interview is one of a string of sought-after exclusives produced by Harpo for Oprah's final season.

Winfrey, whose interview with Jackson himself in 1993 revealed he was suffering from the skin condition vitiligo, has also sat down with Harry Potter author J.K Rowling and last week with the entire cast of the Sound of Music.
The episode will air in the US this Monday, November 8.


Guarded: Up until their father's death, Prince , Paris and Blanket(pictured in May 2009) could only ever venture outside with their faces covered



source: dailymail [endtext]