103.9 FM WDKX
Rochester, NY
Your #1 Radio for R&B
On air:
Listen Online
103.9 WDKX Live Stream
REQUEST A SONG!
Request A Song
Michael Jackson's ex-wife and mother of his two eldest children - involved in a brewing custody battle with the Jackson family - had been confirmed to attend the singer's memorial service today in Los Angeles - but has decided not to go.
Rowe changed her mind yesterday afternoon, believing "her attendance would be an unnecessary distraction to an event that should focus exclusively on Michael's legacy," said her attorney Marta Almli.
Marc Schaffel, a former Jackson business associate, told ABC's "Good Morning America" on Monday that Rowe would attend today's service after getting confirmation Sunday night from the people who are handling the VIP seats. But after second thoughts, Rowe opted to remain out of the public eye.
When asked if Rowe had been in contact with the Jackson family, Schaffel claimed she has attempted to get in touch with them, but has been unsuccessful.
"There has been outreach, unfortunately, like so many cases, there's so much going on that they just have not been able to make contact," Schaffel told GMA. "There were several tries, just for the fact of phone numbers that had changed, you know, answering machines that were full. Contact had not been able to happen prior."
As for reports that Rowe is planning on seeking custody of Jackson's eldest children, Prince Michael, 12, Paris, 11, Schaffel wouldn't comment.
"All I can say is the only one that could give an answer to that would be Debbie Rowe's lawyers, and they're the only ones that could make any kind of official statement on that or obviously make any statement regarding that," he said.
In other Rowe news, TMZ reported that she was swarmed by paparazzi outside of a Chinese restaurant in Lancaster, CA on Sunday - "and when one dude got too close, she flipped, screaming 'Are you ready to have your butt kicked? Don't f**king touch me!'"
