Custody Battle Over Michael's Kids Heats Up

Michael Jackson’s parents and Debbie Rowe, the ex-wife who’s the mother of two of Jackson’s children, are already murmuring about custody, the Sun reports. “It will be probably the start of a long battle,” the Jackson family lawyer said, adding that Michael’s mother, Katherine, wants custody. Elsewhere:

• Rowe, mother of Michael Jr, 12, and Paris, 11, is said to be beside herself with grief, the AP adds. In a statement she called her ex “a beautiful and loving soul.”

• Jackson pal Elizabeth Taylor "is in a state of shock," In Touch reports. "Liz was getting dressed when the second call came that Michael had died, and she collapsed," an insider said.
• Rapper The Game has already produced a tribute track for Jackson called "Better on the Other Side," BallerStatus writes. He got help from Chris Brown, Diddy, and Usher. The song, released online today, contains lyrics like “carrying his legacy is something I must do.”
• White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said today that President Obama told him Jackson was "a spectacular performer, a music icon," though aspects of his life were "sad and tragic," Politico reports. The press criticized the president for not issuing a formal statement.

(More Michael Jackson stories.)