British tabloids are abuzz with one of the strangest rumors to emerge in the wake of Michael Jackson’s death: that he had a secret “love child.” Eyebrows were raised when 25-year-old Norway native Omer Bhatti sat in the front row with the Jackson family at the King of Pop’s memorial service — and his resemblance to Michael’s youngest child, son Blanket, has set speculation whirling.
As a child, Omer traveled with Michael, dressed like him, and lived with him at Neverland for several years. He is rumored to be the product of a one-night stand in 1984, and his mother to have later worked as a nanny for Jacko.
Omer’s father, when asked if he is actually the young man’s biological parent, told the U.K.’s Sun, “Make what you like. I don’t want to discuss anything.”
“If Omer’s his son, he’s his son,” Michael’s brother Jermaine told the Daily Mail. “We won’t deny it. … I can’t clearly say if he is Michael’s, but I saw this kid around him.”
The more we find out about Michael Jackson’s life, the more mysterious it gets.
Brand New Kate
What is this, some kind of impromptu staging of “The Surreal Life”? An improbable congregation of reality stars, one tabloid reporter, and one tabloid personality formed in New York’s Hamptons, when — get this — Jon Gosselin, Star magazine scribe Kate Major, Michael “Lindsay’s dad” Lohan, and “Real Housewife of New York” Jill Zarin dined together Wednesday night.
Leaving aside the oddness of the fact that anything-for-attention Michael invited the “Jon and Kate Plus 8” star to be his houseguest, the real question is: Are Jon and the new Kate dating? Yep. Despite the octo-dad’s very public canoodling sessions with gal-pal Hailey Glassman, Kate Major was seen stroking his arm throughout the meal.
“He didn’t seem smitten. They weren’t all over each other. But they’re definitely dating,” Jill commented to People magazine.
Kate 2.0 went so far as to gush on the Star Web site that it’s love: “I didn’t mean it to happen; it just did,” she said.
Wonder when Jon will wake up and realize that all his new friends and girlfriends are using him for publicity?
Mischa: On the Mend
After being checked into a hospital on a psychiatric hold, Mischa Barton is on the mend, says her rep. The former “O.C.” star is “making improvements” in her condition and preparing to get back to work on her upcoming new show “The Beautiful Life,” her flack told People magazine.
The actress is “still seeking treatment,” the rep noted. But sources tell the mag she’s out of the hospital. Let’s hope she’s in shape to go to work, and start getting her career — and her life — back on track.
Amy: Scared
Amy Winehouse testified in her trial for assault Thursday that she was “scared” of the woman she’s accused of punching at an event last fall. Sherene Flash, who had asked to pose for photos with the “Rehab” singer, “was pretty much leaning on me. She’s a big girl. She was being overly presumptuous,” Amy recalled to the court.
Explaining that she merely pushed Sherene away, and ended up striking her face, Amy said, “She’s there, she’s tall. I wanted her away from me. I thought: ‘Do I get a choice in this? Hello?’”
We have no idea what actually happened, but it’s kinda hard to imagine Amy Winehouse feeling threatened by anyone.
Kitty Raymond is an entertainment writer and astrologer. She welcomes feedback at [email protected].
