Michael Jackson

Ola Ray, the girl who played Michael Jackson's date in the famed "Thriller" music video (below), has settled her lawsuit over payment for her role.

Three years after filing suit, and 29 years after starring in it.

Ray sued MJ and his production company in May 2009, the month before Jackson died, claiming she was owed royalties from the 1983 smash.

Michael Jackson - Thriller

The video was perhaps Jackson's biggest career highlight.

The former Playboy Playmate sued Jackson for breach of contract, insisting that she was still owed a massive share of "Thriller" profits.

Terms were not disclosed, but the out-of-court settlement implies Ray was paid in some way, rather than the court tossing her complaint.

"Thriller" video director John Landis has filed a similar lawsuit against MJ Estate, with both sides still trying to negotiate a settlement.

Michael Jackson's former bodyguard Matt Fiddes claims that the late King of Pop once tried to have members of his inner circle kill Randy Jackson.

His brother, not the portly American Idol personality of the same name.

In the interview with The Sun (UK), Fiddes claims that Michael was intensely paranoid and "caught in a war with his brothers for years, They were all desperate to sign him up to a $500 million deal for a Jackson 5 reunion tour."

Fiddes explained that the eccentric Michael eventually grew fearful of his sibling.

"Things reached a head when Randy was trying to force his way past the bodyguards to speak to him in one of his rented homes. Michael ordered him to be shot."

Of course, no one shot Randy, who is alive and (presumably) well right now.

Fiddes adds, "[Michael] was out of mind on drugs and luckily Randy was OK."

"Randy was so scared he got on the phone and threatened to call the press. He told the bodyguards, 'If you shoot me the whole world will know about it.'"

Fiddes also claims MJ despised Madonna and poked holes in a Voodoo doll of Steven Spielberg. None of his accusations have been corroborated.

[Photo: WENN.com]

Get ready to see Michael Jackson, or at least his likeness, back in action.

Pepsi announced a deal with the late King of Pop's estate that allows the brand to use the music legend's image for its new global marketing push.

What will the new Michael Jackson Pepsi commercial(s) and more entail? Maybe a live action hologram performance, a la Tupac at Coachella?

According to the Wall Street Journal, the nature of the promotion will vary by country, but will include a TV ad, special-edition Pepsi cans featuring Jackson's image and chances to download remixes of Michael's biggest hits.

Pepsi's chief creative officer, Brad Jakeman, said the broader Live for Now campaign took 10 months to develop and its aim is to amplify the company's strong ties with popular culture, with Jackson obviously one of its all-time icons.

Jackson first partnered with Pepsi in 1983, but in 1984, his hair caught fire while filming a commercial for the brand, an event that some believe led to his addiction to prescription drugs, which led to myriad problems throughout his life.

What do you think of Pepsi using MJ's image again?

James DeBarge, the ex-husband of Janet Jackson, has reportedly settled his major beef with Dr. Conrad Murray ... after the two talked things out behind bars.

Singer El DeBarge, James' brother, said that he and Murray buried the hatchet regarding Michael Jackson's death and all it took was an honest conversation.

James, understandably, held a serious grudge with Murray because he blamed the doctor for killing his friend Michael. Apparently, not as much anymore.

The two men managed to have a confrontation behind bars at the Men's Central Jail facility in L.A. in the past few days, and they "squashed the beef."

James' wife says that he was very impressed with Murray and that James has not only "made peace with what happened to Michael" but respects Murray.

DeBarge no longer believes Murray is an "evil" man or a murderer ... instead he told his wife Conrad is a "kind man" who made mistakes. So, that's that.

Either way, he was convicted of involuntary manslaughter, so the two will likely have more time to chill. James is in for drug and assault with a deadly weapon charges.

Dr. Conrad Murray was just shot down in his request to be freed on bail while he appeals his involuntary manslaughter conviction in the 2009 death of Michael Jackson.

Number of disappointed people not named Murray or Nicole Alvarez: Zero.

During today's hearing, Judge Michael Pastor said Murray is still a flight risk as he does not have significant property or family ties in Los Angeles.

Judge Pastor also believes Murray is a danger to society, citing the MSNBC documentary in which Murray fails to show any remorse for MJ's death.

Pastor said "it scares me" that Murray believes it's okay to use Propofol in a home setting and insists he could pose a danger to the safety of other people.

Murray had previously asked for bail so he could spend time with his family (girlfriend Alvarez and their son) while he awaits the outcome of his appeal.

He is hoping to overturn his manslaughter conviction on grounds he never had a chance to prove MJ killed himself due to stress ... among other reasons.

Murray's appellate attorney Valerie Wass says she believes Murray is a "scapegoat" blamed for Michael's death because there's no one else to target.

A judge, jury and the general public almost unanimously disagree. Jackson was not without fault, but Murray also wasn't convicted of murdering him.

His actions as a doctor fit the crime of involuntary manslaughter to a T.

His memory and indelible mark on music and pop culture will last forever and now Michael Jackson's children have cemented his legacy ... in the literal sense.

With a hand and footprint ceremony, Prince, 14, Paris, 13, and Blanket Jackson, 9, left their mark - and Michael's - outside Hollywood's Grauman's Chinese Theater.

Here's a photo of the kids paying tribute to their late father Thursday, at the event held in conjunction with the Cirque de Soleil MJ-themed Immortal show:

"This, right here, is his lifetime achievement award," said Prince Michael Jackson, 14. "This is what he strived to get, and this is what we are giving him now."

The Jackson kids made an imprint in the cement using Michael's famous sequin glove and a pair of his dancing shoes, and each added their own print as well.

Also there to celebrate the King of Pop's memory: mother, Katherine, brothers Tito and Jackie, Smokey Robinson, Quincy Jones and Justin Bieber, who said:

"He meant so much to me. More than entertainer; he was an inspiration."

We doubt he's alone in that sentiment.

[Photo: WENN.com]

Michael Jackson's family has apparently realized the obvious:

As much as they want Dr. Conrad Murray to pay dearly for his role in the King of Pop's death, the physician is flat broke and the music icon is worth nine figures.

You can't get blood from a stone, and thus, prosecutors will no longer seek more than $100 million in restitution from Murray at the request of Jackson's family.

A rep for the L.A. County D.A.'s Office says prosecutors withdrew the motion and a hearing scheduled for Monday has been called off at the family's request.

Murray was convicted and sentenced for involuntary manslaughter last year.

Murray, who's already serving his four-year jail sentence for his role in the death of MJ, is basically broke, with a revoked medical license halting future income.

It's unclear how he plans to earn money once he's released, but he fought having to pay restitution and it appears MJ's family concluded it wasn't worth it.

The time and legal fees necessary to battle for scraps that wouldn't change the family standard of living, or more importantly bring MJ back, was fruitless.

Glee will be Startin Somethin on January 31.

The Fox hit - whose ratings have plunged on season three, as storylines have grown more inconsistent and character development has taken a backseat to the latest song the show can plug in iTunes - will pay tribute to Michael Jackson in two weeks, airing an episode that tackles a number of iconic hits.

Watch the official promo for "Michael" below and then check out the song list for the installment:

Glee Michael Jackson Tribute Promo

Visit our friends at TV Fanatic for more Glee spoilers and look forward to the following MJ covers on the episode:

• Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' - Blaine
• Rock with You - Sebastian and the Warblers
• Bad - Artie, Santana, Blaine, Sebastian
• Scream - Artie and Mike
• Never Can Say Goodbye - Quinn
• Human Nature/Nature Boy (mash-up of MJ and Nat King Cole) - Mercedes and Sam
• Ben - Finn, Rachel and Kurt
• I Just Can't Stop Loving You - Finn and Rachel
• Black or White - Artie, Rachel, Kurt, Mercedes and Santana

Dr. Conrad Murray wants the judge in his criminal manslaughter case to deny Michael Jackson's family restitution, arguing that MJ was responsible for his demise.

Murray was convicted and sentenced for involuntary manslaughter already. That is set in stone. However, he is still fighting the restitution the star's family seeks.

Murray is asking for evidence the defense never received during the trial - evidence he claims could show Michael self-administered the fatal dose of Propofol.

Murray's lawyer, J. Michael Flanagan, argues that - guilty verdict aside - in deciding how much restitution the family gets, the victim's responsibility matters.

So Murray will concede he's partly to blame (he can't argue otherwise because of the conviction) but he still wants to prove that Jackson caused his own death.

The prosecution is asking for around $100 million in restitution, but the judge hasn't decided on a figure. The level of culpability will ultimately play into that.

Once the figure is set, if Flanagan gets his way and the judge were to decide MJ was 50 percent responsible, the judge would reduce restitution by 50 percent.

Also complicating matters? Murray is pretty much broke, and if anything, Jackson's family has profited from his death. So ... the judge has a lot to ponder.

Michael Jackson's lasting advice to his only daughter was simple.

"He said, 'If I die tomorrow, always remember what I told you.' I took his advice, and I remembered everything he told me," Paris Jackson, 13, told Ellen DeGeneres.

The King of Pop shaped Paris' life in fundamental ways, from her desire to pursue acting to far more important lessons, she reveals in the interview, airing Thursday.

Here's a clip of Paris Jackson on Ellen:

Paris Jackson on Ellen

"My dad was in the movie Moonwalker; I knew he could sing really well but I didn't know he could act. I saw that and I said, 'Wow, I want to be just like him,'" says Paris.

The female Jackson recently scored her first film role. A family rep confirmed she has a role in the upcoming fantasy movie Lundon's Bridge and the Three Keys.

"We would do improv together," she adds. "He would give us little scenarios. He would go, 'Okay, in this scene you're going to cry,' and I'd cry on the spot."

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