Michael Jackson’s “second family” appear on US TV

Dominic Cascio worked at a hotel where the King of Pop used to stay. The two became friends, and Cascio invited him to his home where Jackson also met his wife, Connie, and children Eddie, Frank and Marie Nicole.

Jackson would visit them whenever he could, often staying in the basement where he taught Eddie to play instruments and eventually recorded three songs with him.

The songs feature on the posthumous album, Michael, which has been criticised by some of Jackson’s friends, who have insisted the singer was a perfectionist and would not have wanted the songs released unless he was absolutely satisfied with them.

But speaking to chat show host Oprah Winfrey about their relationship with Jackson – who Cascio said “always called us the family of love, his second family” – the family insisted he would be happy for the album to be released.

They were supported by the music legend’s long-time producer and friend, Teddy Riley, who dismissed claims that Jackson did not record the tracks with Eddie.
“This is Michael’s voice,” he said. “No one else could do that scream.”

His wife added: “Michael was like part of our family. He was not like the King of Pop. I always used to cook his favourite food. I knew exactly what he loved and I would make it for him. He loved homemade pizza. He even took the garbage out one night.”

They also revealed that Jackson last visited their home in January 2009, and that they spoke to him just three days before he died.