Las Vegas Weekly

August 24, 2009 · 2:02 PM

Jackson family gathers in Las Vegas; Paris gets first haircut with Grandma

By Robin Leach

Michael Jackson.

Photo: michaeljackson.com

Las Vegas became ground zero for all things Michael Jackson over the weekend. Call it a Vegas summit for the family, with brothers Jermaine and Jackie and sisters Janet and LaToya all here with matriarch Katharine Jackson, which put my earlier story of an eventual Neverland museum here onto the fast track!

Meantime, just a short time ago, The Associated Press reported that the Los Angeles County coroner has ruled the King of Pop’s death a homicide. Click HERE for that breaking news story.

Back here in Las Vegas, while 11-year-old Paris Jackson got her first haircut during a playful weekend with grandma Katharine at the Palms, just 10 miles away, Dr. Conrad Murray, who has been investigated for giving the dead superstar singer the sleeping drugs that killed him, was reportedly on a suicide watch.

The kids’ mini Vegas vacation began at the Circus Circus rides they’d often been to with Michael when they lived here. Then on Saturday night, Jermaine hosted the family to a dinner in the private dining room of George Maloof’s N9NE Steakhouse in the Palms. They had chocolate milkshakes to go with their chicken dishes. The hotel mogul had invited them all to rest and relax at his star-studded property because Michael and the children had lived there for three months while he was recording tracks in the Palms recording studio before relocating to Los Angeles this year.

Janet Jackson comforts the daughter of Michael Jackson, her niece Paris, during the memorial service for music legend Michael Jackson at Staples Center in Los Angeles on July 7, 2009. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)

George’s brother Joe Maloof, co-owner of the Sacramento Kings, played host as George was away in the Bahamas judging the Miss Universe Pageant, which was won by 18-year-old Stefania Fernandez, the second consecutive year that Miss Venezuela has won and a first in the pageant’s history. Jermaine and friends attended the Depeche Mode concert Saturday night at The Pearl in the Palms, watching from a VIP skybox.

Other members of the Jackson family showed up in town for what must be a gathering in advance of this Saturday’s tribute concert and celebrity star presentation at the Palms. My spywitnesses reported LaToya was spotted with a male friend at Prosecco in the Palazzo Shoppes shortly before midnight Saturday looking at jewelry before walking to the casino. Then our fellow gossip guru Norm Clarke reported that Janet visited with LaToya at her apartment here.

The posthumous presentation of the celebrity star to father Joe Jackson and Michael’s manager Frank DiLeo takes place at the Brenden Theatres in the Palms hosted by yours truly. That event follows the Saturday tribute concert of Michael’s music with Strip headline stars and show casts in a 3 p.m. fundraiser at The Pearl for Clark County School’s music programs. Go to VegasLovesMJ.com for information.

Paris and siblings 12-year-old Michael Joseph and 7-year-old Prince Michael, aka Blanket, were joined by three friends yesterday for some fun in the sun at the Palms pool. They spent more than two hours splashing and jumping in the water, and Blanket, the only one with a life preserver, performed a little of dad’s famous footwork on the side of the pool. All this took place under the watchful eye of Grandma, and the kids enjoyed strawberry-banana daiquiris.

Photo: The Associated Press

Michael Jackson appears in London to announce his final concerts in the British capital in March 2009.

Then at 4 p.m. yesterday with just 15 minutes’ notice, Paris, her nanny and tutor Rose and her Aunt Emily, who is married to Jermaine, arrived at Michael Boychuck’s Amp Salon in the Palms for her very first haircut -- and a manicure and pedicure. Hairstylist Mercedez Dalton won the assignment, and Palms security encircled them as the cutting began. A spywitness told me: “It was really long, three-quarters the way down her back. She behaved like a little professional, very nice and very sweet.

Everybody was just enchanted with her good manners. She was so cute. Security took all the hair cuttings, placed them in a plastic bag and removed them for safekeeping -- or destruction to prevent profiteering!”

I’m reliably told that security confiscated photos of Paris snapped by one of the customers because of her age. The beauty treatment ran nearly two hours, and despite security, patrons getting haircuts, shampoos and other beauty treatments left the Jackson party to themselves. “Nobody bothered the little girl,” my spy said.

Paris wound up with more than a new hairstyle, as her fingers and toes were painted green. Michael presented her with a parting gift of her own first blow dryer, several shampoos and conditioners -- and a pair of Swarovski crystal-decorated flip-flops. She becomes Michael’s newest celebrity client, following in the footsteps of Lauren Conrad, Shannen Doherty, Nicky Hilton, Jennie Garth, Usher and another famous Paris: Hilton!

Photo: Mohamed Hadid

Mohamed Hadid with his two children and Michael Jackson with his three children at Thanksgiving. Michael's children are Paris Michael Katherine, Michael Joseph Jr. and Prince Michael II.

The Jackson family visit to Vegas ratchets up the solid rumors about a version of Neverland Ranch being re-created as a museum here, which Vegas DeLuxe has reported previously. Click HERE for that post shortly after Michael’s death on June 25.

Meantime, Internet gossips from Los Angeles reported over the weekend that Dr. Murray, the 55-year-old cardiologist under investigation in Michael’s death, has shuttered himself at his home in Red Rock Country Club Estates. He is said to be on the verge of a mental breakdown and on a suicide watch, with friends fearing he might try to take his life rather than face second-degree murder or manslaughter charges. One Web site claimed a Red Rock neighbor alleged: “He won’t come out because he can’t come out. He’s become the most hated man in the world.”

The Jackson watch weekend began with yet another raid on another pharmacy, this time the Mickey Fine Pharmacy & Grill in Beverly Hills, Calif. “We’re looking at improper dispensing,” a DEA official said. “The pharmacy cooperated and provided prescription records, original and copies. That’s what we’re taking today.” This is two weeks after the same authorities raided a Las Vegas pharmacy for evidence that Dr. Murray or his employees “administered, prescribed, obtained, transferred, sold, distributed and/or bought” the anesthetic Propofol.

On a final Michael Jackson note today, I came across a clip of one of my old Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous shows when Michael introduced artist Brett Livingstone Strong. Brett had painted a portrait of Michael at the height of his fame and fortune, which sold for $25 million in Japan!

All week long leading up to Saturday’s tribute concert, Vegas DeLuxe will have daily coverage of the latest Michael Jackson news and updates. Then watch for our coverage this weekend when we’re with Joe Jackson and Frank DiLeo.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter HERE.

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Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter HERE.

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