Less-seen image of Michael Jackson shared during birthday celebration by his daughter amid renewed media attention
According to the CinemaDrame News Agency, the late pop music icon Michael Jackson is once again in the spotlight—this time due to the release of a rare photo shared by his daughter, Lauren Jackson, on the occasion of what was described as his 89th birthday on social media.
On Thursday, Lauren Jackson posted an image to her Instagram Story in which Michael Jackson can be seen smiling and clapping, while Joni Mitchell is seated beside him, applauding. Lauren did not specify the exact date the photo was taken and only added the number “89” on it. Prior to that, she had also shared an older image of her father wearing a Coca-Cola-themed T-shirt, captioned “89?”
Lauren had previously shared another image of her father on social media in January.
Michael Jackson’s last public appearance before this was at the special 50th anniversary event of Saturday Night Live on NBC in February 2025, where he attended alongside his daughter and received a warm ovation when Adam Sandler’s performance was introduced.
Lauren is one of Michael Jackson’s six children. Her mother is actress Rebecca Broders, and she also has a son named Ray Jackson, who appeared in the film Smile 2.
Michael Jackson began his artistic career in 1958 with the film Cry Killer, directed by Roger Corman, and went on to build a highly successful career in music and film spanning more than five decades. He received three Academy Awards, six Golden Globe Awards, several BAFTA Awards, and even a Grammy Award.
His last Oscar nomination came in 2003 for the film Schmidt, and his final on-screen appearance was in How Do You Know, directed by James L. Brooks, alongside actors such as Reese Witherspoon, Paul Rudd, and Owen Wilson.
He also received the American Film Institute Life Achievement Award in 1994, the Cecil B. DeMille Award in 1999, and the Kennedy Center Honor in 2001.
His last appearance at the Oscars dates back to 2013, when he appeared alongside then–First Lady Michelle Obama to present the Best Picture award.
Meanwhile, Michael Jackson’s estate and legacy have been facing renewed legal claims. Four siblings from New Jersey filed a lawsuit in federal court in Los Angeles in February, alleging that they were subjected to abuse and controlling behavior by the star during their childhood.
The lawsuit, which involves three brothers and one sister, gained attention following a detailed interview published by The New York Times, in which allegations of abuse and the role of individuals close to Jackson in managing his affairs were discussed.
The complaint names several individuals, including lawyers responsible for managing Jackson’s estate and a private investigator. It also alleges that some people close to him enabled access to children instead of protecting them.
Legal representatives of Michael Jackson’s estate have described the lawsuit as an attempt at extortion and financial gain, stating that the plaintiffs’ family had previously defended him for years and is now making such claims for monetary reasons.
Parts of the complaint allege that over the years Jackson used gifts, travel, access to fame, and emotional dependency to gain the individuals’ trust, and later exploited that relationship. Allegations also include alcohol and drug use and inappropriate behavior in private settings.
Estate attorneys responded that these claims contradict the family’s previous statements, which over the years—in interviews and even books—had consistently affirmed his innocence.
They also stated that the case is being brought forward at a time when Michael Jackson is no longer alive, making such allegations difficult to legally challenge, and therefore financially motivated.
The case remains part of an ongoing series of legal disputes related to Michael Jackson’s estate and is still under judicial review.
