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15 Years On 'Balcony Baby' Blanket Jackson Is Still Staying Away From The Limelight

15 Years On 'Balcony Baby' Blanket Jackson Is Still Staying Away From The Limelight

He's come a long way.

Mark McGowan

Mark McGowan

You may or may not have heard of Blanket Jackson, but you've most likely heard of 'balcony baby'.

Yes, some 15 years ago, Michael Jackson dangled his kid out of a window as reporters and fans snapped pictures, baffled by the scenes.

The child was of course Prince Michael Jackson II, better known as Blanket, and more recently Bigi, after he changed his name in 2015.

"He always thought that the name Blanket sounded so stupid and resented his father for calling him that," a source told Radar Online.

"Growing up, his school mates have always been slightly mean to him because of their jealousy over who he is and going by Blanket made him a much easier target for ridicule."

Michael Jackson holds youngest son Prince Michael II with just one arm out of the president's suite on the fifth floor of Hotel Adlon, Berlin, 19 November 2002. Credit: PA

The 15-year-old tends to stay out of the limelight so he can live a fairly normal teenage life, which you can respect, but recently his sister, Paris, shared a rare photo of him.

According to the Daily Star, he currently lives with his co-guardians, Katherine and cousin Tito, as well as his siblings, Paris and Michael Joseph.

Paris featured alongside Blanket in the Insta pic, as they were seen chilling with some friends.

Credit: Instagram/Paris Jackson

Back in 2002, Jackson came under fire after he dangled Blanket over the balcony in Berlin, with people outraged that he'd put a child so young in such danger.

He later admitted that it was mistake in doing so, saying he was simply excited.

"I got caught up in the excitement of the moment. I would never intentionally endanger the lives of my children," the pop star said.

At the time, his close fried Uri Geller condemned his actions, saying: "I just would not put any child over a railing at such a height.

"I think it was a silly thing to do. He probably did it because he was overwhelmed emotionally by the fans."

Despite Blanket staying away from the media, Paris Jackson has not. Earlier this year she did her first big interview with Rolling Stone, opening up about her relationship with her dad and her theories about how he died.

Among other theories, Paris blames her dad's death on the record label AEG live, which organised his comeback 'This Is It' tour and, in her eyes, worked him to death. She also blames Dr. Conrad Murray, his personal doctor.

She said he was exhausted all the time."I'd tell him, let's take a nap," she told The Rolling Stone.

"Because he looked tired. We'd be in school, meaning downstairs in the living room, and we'd see dust falling from the ceiling and hear stomping sounds because he was rehearsing upstairs."

Her family lost a wrongful-death suit against the firm, with the jury deciding that Michael Jackson was responsible for his own death.

But Paris said: "AEG Live does not treat their performers right. They drain them dry and work them to death."

Featured Image Credit: PA/Instagram

Topics: Michael Jackson