According to MSNBC, LaToya says that she can’t devote herself to the show considering how soon it is to Michael’s death and the fact his death investigation is still ongoing…But if that’s the case, why did she even start talking to the producers at all? Was this just a publicity stunt?

La Toya Jackson won’t be putting on her dancing shoes this season.

“I’ve been approached to do ‘Dancing With the Stars’” Jackson told Access Hollywood’s Tony Potts exclusively on Thursday. “The fact of the matter is, I won’t be doing it, simply because of the circumstances that (are) going on at the moment.”

The singer, who was three years older than her late brother, Michael Jackson, who passed away on June 25 at the age of 50, said she can’t even think of joining “Dancing” while so many questions remain unanswered regarding her brother’s death.

(From MSNBC)

According to MSNBC, several people close to the King of Pop are talking to producers about competing on the next season of “Dancing with the Stars.” We’re guessing that the “Stars” part of that title is a pretty loosely defined term, because the people in question include sister LaToya, brother Jermaine, and MJ’s personal trainer Lou Ferrigno.

Would all of these people be on the producers’ radar if Michael Jackson’s unfortunate death hadn’t catapulted the Jackson name back in the headlines? Maybe not. Does anybody’s 15 minutes of fame ever run out?

The ninth season of “Dancing With the Stars” could end up resembling a reunion of Michael Jackson’s family and friends.

Lou Ferrigno, Jackson’s personal trainer and the onetime star of “The Incredible Hulk,” said he’d “definitely be interested” and has been in talks to join the show.

LaToya Jackson, Michael’s sister, is also now in discussions to become a part of “Dancing.”

“She’s a big fan of the show, and being from a musical family, it would be a good fit,” her rep told Us Weekly.

And finally, brother Jermaine Jackson, never one to let an opportunity pass him by, is throwing his hat in the ring.

“He doesn’t just think he should be on the show, he thinks he could win it all. It’s not as if he doesn’t know how to work an audience,” said a source close to Jackson. “It’s also a steady job for a while. He hasn’t had any traction with the other projects and reunion shows he’d hoped for. This could be great for him.”

(From MSNBC)

Reuters has more:

His sister LaToya has taken possession of computer hard drives that contain a trove of unreleased songs he recorded with A-list singers such as Ne-Yo, Akon, and will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas, according to Rolling Stone magazine.

The drives were in the “Thriller” singer’s rented Holmby Hills, Calif., mansion when he died suddenly in June. Hours afterward, the family descended on the house to claim all its contents, and LaToya grabbed the drives, Rolling Stone said, quoting the late singer’s manager, Frank DiLeo.

“They backed up trucks, removing everything,” DiLeo was quoted as telling the magazine in its issue that hits newsstands on Friday. “They thought Michael owned it all, so they took even the rented furniture. That’s who’s going to run his estate?”