Michael Jackson's three children made a rare public appearance this weekend in their father's hometown of Gary, Indiana as they and scores of fans celebrated what would have been the late King of Pop's 53rd birthday.
Prince Michael, 14, Paris, 13 and Blanket, 9, signed autographs and posed for pictures during the 3-day celebration, which was also attended by the singer's parents and their grandparents, Katherine and Joe Jackson.
"We've adjusted over the past years and I think that coming here and seeing our dad's old house and all the fans coming out ... I think it's really sweet that they did that," Paris Jackson told WLS Television, the sister station of KABC Television, parent company of OnTheRedCarpet.com.
Michael Jackson was born on Aug. 29, 1958. Joe Jackson, who maintained a strained relationship with the singer when he was alive, said he felt proud to see the outpouring of support for his son and added that Michael Jackson's youngest child, Blanket, may very well follow in his footsteps.
"They said there will never be another Michael Jackson but we have one - Blanket," Joe Jackson told WLS. "Blanket is just like Michael when Michael was young."
Blanket Jackson, his hair in a ponytail, appeared shy as he walked alongside his siblings. He said it was "good to see the place where our dad grew up."
After Michael Jackson died at age 50 on June 25, 2009 at his Los Angeles home, his children moved in with the singer's mother, who lives several miles away. The three have largely kept out of the spotlight but have spoken to the press occasionally.
Prince Michael said on "Good Morning America" in February that he would like to pursue a career in film production, saying that a UCLA teacher gave them private lessons at home. Katherine Jackson said her grandchildren often dress up and shoot home movies, adding that their interest in entertainment comes from their father.
Paris told WLS that she and her siblings have "adjusted" since their father's death, adding: "I think that coming here and seeing our dad's old house and all the fans coming out, I think it's really sweet that they did that."
She added that she would like her father to be remembered "as one of the greatest and nicest guys ever."
Michael Jackson is said to have died from an overdose of the powerful anesthetic propofol and two other sedatives that were prescribed and administered by Conrad Murray, who pleaded not guilty in January to a charge of involuntary manslaughter. Jury selection for his trial is set to begin on September 8.
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