Mark Lester on Paris Jackson Paternity: It's Possible
Former child star Mark Lester, a longtime friend of Michael Jackson and the godfather of his children, spoke out on the Today show about rumors that he is actually the biological father of one or more of the late King of Pop's offspring.
Specifically, he thinks he might be the father of Paris Jackson, 11.
These rumors were started by Mark Lester himself, and not without at least some merit - the Oliver! star says he once gave Michael Jackson a sperm donation.
A chiropractor and the father of four daughters of his own in London, Mark Lester, 51, said that years ago Jackson sought his sperm because the pop superstar wanted kids but for whatever reason wasn't "up to" it physically
Michael Jackson was "shy when it came to women," said Lester, who added that it was extremely difficult for his friend to "perform the sexual act."
Even so, Matt Lauer asked, why did he need Mark Lester's sperm?
"That I don't know," said Lester after a long pause. He said he never asked questions about it or donated the sperm under any sort of conditions.
Mark Lester's story about donating sperm to Michael Jackson is beyond strange. But he seems, by and large, to be honest, candid and harboring no ulterior motive.
Another MJ friend, Dr. Arnold Klein, gave sperm to the singer and is rumored to be the kids' father. Klein says he's not, "to the best of my knowledge."
Lester told Lauer that he stepped forward with the story that he may be the father of Paris Jackson because "the story was going to break in any event" in the UK and he wanted to present the case and for his children to hear it from him.
While Mark Lester's ex-wife has subsequently stepped forward to dispute her former spouse's declarations, Michael's mother and the children's legal guardian, Katherine Jackson, says the claims are not in the best interests of the children.
Lester says he is not claiming paternity and has no agenda for speaking out other than that he wants to maintain a relationship with Michael's children.
Follow the jump to watch Mark's interview on Today ...
Mark Lester Interview
Related Posts
- Prince, Paris and Blanket Memorialize Michael Jackson in Handprint Ceremony
- Family of Michael Jackson No Longer Seeking Money From Dr. Conrad Murray
- Glee to Honor Michael Jackson: Official Promo
- Dr. Conrad Murray: You Want Me to Pay, Too?!
July 29th, 2010 10:30 PM
Paris is bi-racial, and Harriet looks more like Mrs. Rowe than Paris does!
June 15th, 2010 5:05 PM
Clarice - I also think Mark has an unhealthy obsession with Paris. Thought this when he talked to Hello magazine before these father rumours came out.
September 5th, 2009 8:30 PM
i think you should just leave the kids alone. they just lost thier father. they loved him so much. i also think that if you think you are the father don't tell them the loved their fater.
August 27th, 2009 2:58 AM
well,no matter what's the story behid the "sperm donation'..we all know that mj became a true father to his kids...-love you mj_(/.-)
August 25th, 2009 11:21 PM
mark. obvisouly wants the attention on him and his daughter. he has to get over it. uncle mike is the father of paris.
August 25th, 2009 8:21 AM
people would do anything for fame
look at this roting idiot? w
even if its true, why wud u come now to say u r av the interest of the child at heart
all that interests me in the writeup is Mj not "been up to havign sex".how come?
people shud leave MJ alone
I dont believe any of these men r those childrens kids.FULL STOP
the only person that can tell us the REAL sperm donor is Debbie Rowe and to me,
Michael JACKSON is the father to these 3 kids. Yall heard Paris at the memorial
August 24th, 2009 10:22 AM
Read this...
The ex-wife of former child star MARK LESTER has slammed reports he could have fathered MICHAEL JACKSON's daughter PARIS - because he was rarely in contact with the King Of Pop.
The Oliver star revealed earlier this month (Aug09) that he could be the 11 year old's biological dad because he donated sperm to Jackson in 1996, following a request from the superstar.
The Thriller hitmaker's family dismissed the claims, with Katherine Jackson's lawyer Londell MCMillan, saying, "These genetic lottery attempts aren't going anywhere. They have no legal standing. They may seek five seconds of fame but the claims have no merit."
Lester's former wife Jane Lester has now backed up MCMillan, insisting her ex lost touch with Jackson in the 1980s and didn't pick up the friendship again until after their youngest child, Felix, was born in 1999.
She tells Britain's Daily Mirror newspaper, "To the best of my knowledge, Mark was not regularly in touch with Michael Jackson until two
August 22nd, 2009 11:53 PM
Entertaiment Tonight with Diane Dimond is the worse piece of Investigative Reporting I've ever seen. If Entertainment Tonight doesn't take that bit.ch off, the will lose major ratings. I would like to see Entertainment Tonight put Mark Lester's wife's comments on the air. But they won't because that evil bit.ch will never cover anything that makes her a seem like she's promoting lies. What type of stupid interview was that she gave to that London Doctor who claimed to have STOLE a box of MJ's medication from a hotel. That stupid bit.ch Dimond didn't even ask a follow up question like "why would steal from his hotel if that's what you claim?"
August 22nd, 2009 10:48 PM
http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/news/2009/08/16/mark-is-a-fantasist-115875-21599726/
The ex-wife of Mark Lester has sensationally blown apart claims he is the father of Michael Jackson's daughter Paris, insisting: "He's living in a fantasy world."
Jane Lester says her former husband of 13 years was not even in contact with Jacko at the time he alleges to have donated his sperm.
"To the best of my knowledge, Mark was not regularly in touch with Michael Jackson until two years after his daughter Paris was born," said Jane, 52, the mother of Mark's four children.
August 22nd, 2009 8:21 PM
this guy is a straight up idiot. enough said. leave poor paris alone.