Paris Jackson reacts after Sky axes controversial Michael Jackson TV show

Publish Date
Monday, 16 January 2017, 11:43AM

A Sky TV comedy featuring Joseph Fiennes as Michael Jackson will not be broadcast following backlash from the late pop superstar's family.

Fiennes was to portray the King of Pop as part of the Urban Myths series starting on January 19.

But, last week, Jackson's 18-year-old daughter Paris said she wanted to 'vomit' after seeing a teaser clip of the actor as her father.

The new series features reenactments of fabled tales about famous stars - this particular epsiode was to feature a supposed road trip which Jackson, Dame Elizabeth and Marlon Brando are said to have taken following the September 11 terror attacks.

Shakespeare In Love star Fiennes was to play Jackson, Brian Cox was Brando and Stockard Channing starred as Taylor, the famous actress who is Paris's godmother.

But after a trailer of clips from the series was shown, Paris Jackson joined the singer's fans in condemning the show.

Paris said the show was 'disrespectful' and campaigners complained that a white actor should not play black musician Jackson.

She wrote: 'I'm so incredibly offended by it, as I'm sure plenty of people are as well, and it honestly makes me want to vomit.

'It angers me to see how obviously intentional it was for them to be this insulting, not just towards my father, but my godmother Liz as well.

'Where is the respect? They worked through blood sweat and tears for ages to create such profound and remarkable legacies. Shameful portrayal.'

A spokesman for the channel said: 'We have taken the decision not to broadcast Elizabeth, Michael And Marlon, a half-hour episode from the Sky Arts Urban Myths series, in light of the concerns expressed by Michael Jackson's immediate family.

'We set out to take a light-hearted look at reportedly true events and never intended to cause any offence. Joseph Fiennes fully supports our decision.'

Paris has spoken out saying she is grateful the show has been cancelled.

Michael's nephews TJ and Taj Jackson also took to social media after the decision, with TJ writing: "Thank you to everyone who made their voices heard. As I said it wasn't comedy, it was mockery with no taste. A great victory for his legacy!"

Taj added: "Thank you to the fans, you continue to fight for my Uncle Michael's legacy and thank you to the media, for covering the extreme backlash (sic)."

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