Jackson Spokeswoman: 'Michael Is Fine'
N E W Y O R K, March 5, 2004 -- Rumors about rehab, money and custody battles are not getting the self-described King of Pop down, says new spokeswoman Raymone Bain.
Bain, the latest addition to the Michael Jackson camp, says it's her job to set the record straight when it comes to the constant stream of rumors swirling around Michael Jackson.
"He has not been in detox. He has not been in rehab. And several things have been exaggerated," Bain told ABCNEWS' Good Morning America.
In the months since Jackson was charged with seven counts of lewd acts on a child under the age of 14 and two counts of plying the alleged victim with alcohol, there has been a steady stream of rumors and reports concerning his children and his own state of mind.
Bain says Jackson, who has pleaded not guilty to all the charges, is doing well, despite the intense spotlight that's been on him since the charges were filed in December.
"One of the things that we're concerned about is all of the various messages that are out here about him," Bain said. "But I wanted to just set the record straight on his behalf.He is fine. He is in control," she said.
Some of the most recent reports about Jackson came out of his late February trip to Aspen, Colo. While he was there, rumors that he had been admitted to a drug rehabilitation facility in the state started swirling.
Bain says she doesn't know who was behind the story, but she says the story is not true.
"There are so many reports which we cannot understand — what is [the] source of these or who are behind all of these reports," Bain said.
"And he's [Michael Jackson] really very concerned about that, and I guess that's why I'm here," she said.
When it comes to reports about Jackson being pulled over by police and asked to identify himself after shopping at a Glenwood Springs, Colo., Wal-Mart while wearing a ski mask, Bain says they are overblown.
"Several things have been exaggerated but he's not been arrested … for going in Wal-Mart with a mask on," Bain said. Bain, who has been working for Jackson since the first week in February, says the pop star was wearing a ski mask because he was cold.
Bain says she is not in a position to discuss reports about a "family matter" between Jackson and his ex-wife Debbie Rowe.
Jackson and Rowe have asked a retired judge to settle a "family matter," according to court documents.
Bain says the public will hear and see more of Jackson in the future. In the meantime, she says he is doing well and is in control of his own life.
"He's not being dictated to. He has a great team. There is no dissension," she said