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Melanie Amaro performed “Earth Song” on Wednesday’s “X Factor.”

One day after Conrad Murray was sentenced to the maximum of four years behind bars at the L.A. County Jail, the Jackson family came together for “Michael Jackson Night” at the competition show.

Watching Amaro’s rendition of “Earth Song” were Michael Jackson‘s mom Katherine, brothers Jackie, Tito, and Marlon, and his kids Paris, Prince, and Blanket.

Check out the video below, and tell us what you think of Amaro’s performance.

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Astro wowed the audience again on “X Factor” during “Michael Jackson Night.”

In front of Michael Jackson‘s relatives – mom Katherine, brothers Jackie, Tito, and Marlon, and kids Paris, Prince, and Blanket – Astro offered a rap spin on “Black or White.”

Check out the video below, and tell us what you think.

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Conrad Murray was just sentenced to the maximum of four years of imprisonment.

Among those at the sentencing on Tuesday were Michael Jackson‘s mom Katherine, brothers Jermaine and Randy, and sisters Rebbie and La Toya, as well as family friend Kathy Hilton.

Before the sentencing, the Jackson family’s attorney, Brian Panis, read a heartfelt statement on behalf of the singer’s parents, siblings, and children.

The prosecution then argued strenuously against sentencing Murray to probation, which the defense had fought for.

“Prison is warranted,” said the prosecution, and asked for the maximum of four years.

The prosecution also asked restitution for Jackson’s lost wages and earnings, amounting to $100 million.

“We do not disagree with the prosecution that this is a tragedy,” said the defense, but he is “not a danger to the community.”

Prior to Jackson’s death, Murray “never committed a crime,” stressed the defense, which went on to say that whatever he does, for the rest of his life he’ll always be “known as the man who killed Michael Jackson.”

Still, the defense felt Murray should not serve time, and that he “can do things on probation… for the community.”

The judge began by saying it’s “difficult” to impose a sentence, especially when one has discretion.

That said, the judge felt Murray practiced a pattern of “deceit,” which including lying to law enforcement and medical personnel.

The judge went on to say he believed Murray taped Jackson’s slurred speech as an “insurance policy” to be used against the singer should the two ever part ways.

And he used Murray’s documentary to show there was no remorse either on the doctor’s part.

The judge continually slammed Murray, saying, ”He remains dangerous” and ”I think Dr. Murray is so reckless… that I believe he’s a danger to the community.”

“You can’t have probation when there isn’t an acknowledgement of rehabilitation,” said the judge who denied Murray probation, and sentenced the doctor to the maximum of four years behind bars at the L.A. County Jail.

The issue of restitution will be addressed at a later date.

On November 7, after a six weeks-long trial that included testimony from 49 witnesses and hundreds of pieces of evidence, Murray was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in the death of Michael Jackson.

Do you agree with the sentencing?

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It was the day Michael Jackson‘s family had been waiting for – Dr. Conrad Murray being found guilty of involuntary manslaughter of the King of Pop.

RELATED – Dr. Conrad Murray Found GUILTY

Shortly after the verdict was announced, La Toya Jackson tweeted, “VICTORY!!!!!!” She added, “Michael I love you and I will continue to fight until ALL are brought to justice!”

The singer’s sister further told the Associated Press, “Michael was looking over us… Absolutely justice was served.”

La Toya was far from the only relative pleased with the verdict.

A relieved Katherine Jackson admitted to the Associated Press, “I feel better now.”

What did you think about the verdict?

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Dr. Conrad Murray was just found GUILTY of involuntary manslaughter in the death of Michael Jackson.

The seven-man, five-woman California jury announced its decision moments ago.

Dr. Murray sat stone-faced during the decision, which was greeted by a little cheering in the court and a loud celebration outside the courthouse.

Among those who let out a brief yell in court, much to the judge’s dismay, was La Toya Jackson. Family friend Kathy Hilton wept.

Michael Jackson’s parents, Joe and Katherine Jackson, and his brothers, Jermaine and Randy Jackson, remained silent.

Murray’s mother and daughter, on the other hand, cried when the decision was read.

The verdict comes after a six weeks-long trial that included testimony from 49 witnesses and hundreds of pieces of evidence concerning Jackson’s June 2009 death, caused by a lethal dose of propofol.

Dr. Murray will be sentenced on November 29. He faces up to four years in jail.

The judge remanded Dr. Murray immediately into custody without the possibility of bail.

He was then handcuffed and led out of the court.

Do you agree with the verdict?

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In the most graphic testimony to date in the manslaughter trial of Dr. Conrad Murray, prosecutors just showed a photo of Michael Jackson‘s dead, naked body.

Editor’s Note: The image from today’s courtroom proceedings is available by clicking the red link below. However, we wanted to give our readers the option of not seeing it in the post itself.

Before the disturbing image was made public, jurors heard a recording of an interview Dr. Murray gave to police detectives in which he recalled the moment when he and an emergency room physician informed Katherine Jackson that her son had died.

Katherine had asked, “He’s not dead, is he?”

Learning that he had passed away, she broke down and wept.

The courtroom was then shown this photograph of Michael Jackson’s body on a hospital gurney in the moments following his death on June 25, 2009.

It’s obviously an upsetting image.

Do you think it’s fair for the prosecutors to show it?

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Christina Aguilera is joining Cee Lo Green, Leona Lewis and the band Alien Ant Farm, as well as members of the Jackson family for the Michael Jackson tribute concert slated for this fall.

Today, organizers announced some of the performers for “Michael Forever — The Tribute Concert,” which will take place at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales on October 8.

As Gossip Cop previously reported, though the late singer’s mom, Katherine and siblings La Toya, Jackie, Marlon, and Tito support the concert, Jermaine and Randy oppose its timing since it will take place during the trial of Dr. Conrad Murray, who is charged in the King of Pop’s death.

More names of performers will be announced in the coming weeks.

Stay tuned.

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Michael Jackson‘s mom, Katherine, and siblings La Toya, Jackie, Marlon, and Tito announced today “Michael Forever — The Tribute Concert,” slated for October 8 at Millennium Stadium in Wales.

The Jacksons, however, did not reveal which performers will participate in the show.

Katherine said she was proud of the event.

“If my son was here today,” she said, “he would feel the same way, and so I’d like to say thank you very much for helping to keep my son’s legacy alive.”

But not all of the Jacksons support the tribute concert.

Shortly after the show was announced, Jermaine and Randy Jackson released a statement on Twitter that said they had a problem with its timing.

“While we wholeheartedly support the spirit of a tribute that honors our brother, we find it impossible to support an event that is due to take place during the criminal trial surrounding Michael’s death.”

“There will come a time and place for an amazing and deserving tribute to Michael,” they added, “but we feel that the most important tribute we can give to our brother at this time is to seek justice in his name.”

Katherine and Michael’s siblings who were present for the announcement said they will attend the October concert.

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“I think no one understands what a good father he was,” Paris Jackson says on the much-anticipatied Jackson Family interview with Oprah Winfrey, airing today.

Winfrey sat down not long ago with Michael Jackson‘s parents and kids, and they all opened up about the legendary star – from him being a dad and son to his addiction to plastic surgery and desire for privacy.

A year and a half after Michael Jackson’s passing, the kids fondly remember the King of Pop, who was just their pop.

In the riveting interview, Paris recalls Jackson being the “best cook ever,” while the singer’s son Prince happily thinks back on the early morning walks he’d take with his father on the beach, while sipping Coca-Cola and eating candy.

It all changed, however, on that fateful day in June 2009.

Katherine Jackson tells Winfrey how she first received news of her son’s death. The Jackson matriarch recalls being told to come to the hospital because her son was “sick” when, in fact, he had already passed.

She says Dr. Conrad Murray was so evasive that she had to cut him off and ask, “Well, what happened? How is he? Did he make it?” to which Dr. Murray finally replied, “No, he’s gone.”

Jackson admits she knew her son was addicted to plastic surgery. She tells Winfrey that Michael’s nose looked “like a toothpick at one time.”

Initially, Joe Jackson denies to Winfrey that he beat his son, but with some prodding from his wife – and Winfrey – the family patriach admits he used to hit his son with a strap. He tells Winfrey, in a shocking moment, he “[does] not regret” beating Michael Jackson.

Will you be watching the interview?

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Initially, it was reported the late King of Pop’s mom, Katherine Jackson, a partner in JacksonSecretVault.com - which owns hundreds of unreleased tracks and other Jackson material – had “authorized” the song’s release.

She did NOT authorize its release. That’s what her business partner Howard Mann wrongly claimed.

But it gets worse.

The “new” song is not new at all. It’s actually a dance remake of Jackson’s 1979 song “Destiny.”

Now Mann himself is singing a different tune. He’s since posted on JacksonSecretVault.com that it’s a “free authentic remake,” and that the “track was NOT released by Mrs. Jackson… We sincerely apologize to the fans for any confusion.”

Already there has been fighting between members of the Jackson family and Sony over the authenticity of some of the content that Sony plans to unveil as a new album called “Michael” in December. On Friday, the company posted a teaser video for the single “Breaking News.”

What do you think of “Opis None”?

LISTEN:

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Regardless of how you felt about Michael Jackson as a person, after seeing “This Is It,” you can’t help but feel he may have been the greatest performer of our time.

The sometimes skeptical Gossip Cop was lucky enough to attend the film’s first screening in New York, and was nothing short of blown away by Jackson’s first-rate performance.

Despite reports of him being deathly frail at the time of his passing, in the film Jackson appears remarkably in shape. Yes, he was very skinny, but no thinner than one would expect a perfectionist who rehearsed numerous dance numbers with precision accuracy day after day in anticipation of what would have been an elaborate and visually lush series of concerts. 

“This Is it” ended up being a “rehearsal” film, but for someone who had 50 grueling performances ahead of him, Jackson practiced dance moves and sang with near full force, where others would have gone half throttle.

The film, which takes the viewer through Jackson’s scheduled numbers, begins with him performing “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin.’’’ And right from the start you see that Jackson was onto “something,’” something big. He looks and moves great. He is vibrant, focused and having fun.

The audience is then introduced to his dancers, who are half of Jackson’s age, but with whom he dances – even during rehearsals – with full vigor. Around these dancers and his accompanying musicians, we get to witness Jackson’s commanding control and creativity. He softly proposes ways to choreograph certain moves, as well as to play specific chords.

We are also treated to the making of filmed pieces that were to have been incorporated into the concerts. Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal” features black-and-white sequences in which Jackson was smoothly spliced into scenes with equally legendary stars Rita Hayworth and Humphrey Bogart. And his zombie-themed “Thriller” comes to life via 3D movie magic and manually operated ghosts.

Those expecting to see a mask-wearing weirdo will instead see an unmasked Jackson, who seemingly has a genuine abundance of love – for his real family as well as for his stage family. After completing a Jackson 5 medley, the singer emotionally thanks all of his brothers, and adds, “Joseph and Katherine Jackson, I love you.”  

Similarly, towards the end of the movie Jackson touchingly tells his entire cast and crew of musicians, dancers, and technicians, among others: “I love you all… We are family.”

Granted, “This Is It” is slickly edited, but throughout the film one is taken with how – whenever voicing the way he would like a particular dance move or piece of music performed – Jackson always suggests changes with patience and politeness. His criticisms are kind and carefully measured. He comes off more as a masterful director than a diva.

The film’s final number is a simple production of “Man in the Mirror,” which fittingly allows the viewer to reflect on the man and his music. And by the time the movie ends, the audience quite surprisingly cannot help but feel they’ve lost someone in their life. Maybe not related, but certainly remarkably talented.

With its limited engagement, Gossip Cop recommends you run – not moonwalk – to “This Is It.”

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Michael Jackson‘s ex-wife Deborah Rowe is seeking $490,000 from a Florida woman named Rebecca White. Rowe sued White in July for allegedly defaming her in an interview with Extra, having claimed that the mother of Jackson’s two oldest children, Prince and Paris, didn’t want custody of the King of Pop’s kids, and instead was just interested in money from the Jackson family.

White never responded to the suit, and so Rowe is now seeking a default judgment.

But how did Rowe get to that nearly $500,000 figure? Rowe’s lawyers estimated that White was paid $100,000 for the interview; that Rowe spent $45,000 for medical and legal fees, and should be awarded $100,000 for emotional distress, and $245,000 in punitive damages.

A hearing for Rowe’s petition for a default judgment is slated for November.

Under an agreement Rowe made with the late singer’s mom, Katherine Jackson, Rowe has some visitation rights with the kids, and reportedly no money was exchanged as part of the deal.

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The new US Weekly‘s “Hot Stuff” column looks like it’s serving cold dish.

A supposed “source” told the mag a new A&E reality series featuring the Jackson family “will include Michael’s kids – Prince, 12, Paris, 11, and Blanket, 7.” The late King of Pop’s eldest sister Rebbie expressed disgust, saying “Michael would spin in his grave if he knew his kids would be on this show.”

Well, Michael won’t be spinning. Because it’s nothing more than a rumor.

After A&E issued a statement acknowledging that “it is entirely possible that [Michael's] brothers’ will intersect with other members of the Jackson family,” US Weekly stood by its report.

But a source involved in the production confirms to Gossip Cop that while the brothers may “intersect” with Michael’s children, there are no plans to include them in the series. It should also be noted that to be put on the air, participants need to sign a release. The children’s grandmother, Katherine Jackson, acts as their children’s legal guardian, and a source in the Jackson camp tells Gossip Cop there’s no chance she’d sign off on their participation.