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Published Thursday, Apr. 7
AND FOR HIS NEXT TRICK, HE WILL MAKE ALL THE ACCUSATIONS DISAPPEAR...
Q: Tell me more about Michael Jackson's personal magician.
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A: That's just what everyone needs, a personal magician.
Not much is known about the Gloved One's personal magician, who goes by the name Majestik Magnificent. I have also seen the name spelled "Majestic" with a c and also "Majestic the Magnificent." I'm pretty sure this is the same person. Besides, the Jackson Five went by several different spellings: The Jackson 5, The Jackson 5ive, J5, and The Jacksons.
Attempts by Mr. Smarty Pants to contact Michael Jackson's current attorney Thomas Mesereau and his former attorney Marc Geragos about the subject were completely futile.
Next I tried using the surname databases, but couldn't find "Magnificent" (it sounds French to me). Then, using an online telephone directory, I found a "Seven Magnificent" on "Wish Avenue" in Van Nuys, Calif. Since "Seven of Nine" was a character on Star Trek: Voyager (portrayed by actress Jeri Ryan), I can only guess that Seven is a woman's name and Seven Magnificent might be a female relative. But drat, I couldn't get Seven Magnificent or Jeri Ryan on the phone.
Next, I checked with the Society of American Magicians. Ed Thomas, who is vice-president of their Magicians Hall of Fame and Magic Museum in Los Angeles, says he has never heard of Majestik Magnificent under any spelling.
Based on my research, Majestik Magnificent has been a close friend of the Jackson family dating back at least to the 1993 child molestation charges against Michael Jackson. He seems to have dodged the news for much of the 1990s. Then, during a 2003 interview by the BBC's Louis Theroux with Michael Jackson and his father, Joe, apparently Majestik interrupted quite a bit:
Majestik then says he will cancel the interview if another question is asked about Michael Jackson's nose.
Theroux asks Mr Jackson if he wishes his son had a partner.
When he describes partner as "boyfriend or girlfriend", Majestik says: "What are you trying to say, that Michael's gay?"
Majestik says the question is disrespectful to Joe Jackson, who later says "we don't believe in gays. I can't stand them." Mr Jackson then calls an end to the interview.
The full transcript of the interview with Joe Jackson is at available online in Acrobat format.
According to a 2003 blog, Majestik the Magnificent used to perform at a place in Hollywood, Calif., called Carlos & Charlies, which no longer exists (not to be confused with the Lake Travis restaurant by that name). The blog says Majestik doesn't like living in California because of earthquakes.
According to another blog, Magnificent didn't care much for reporter Diane Dimond during an interview he did with MSNBC's Lisa Bloom and Joe Scarborough, but he did reveal he used to be a personal magician for Muhammad Ali for five years.
BLOOM: Can I ask you a question? Why does Michael Jackson have a personal magician? I’ve never hear of such a thing. Are you going to be doing some sleight of hand to try to help him out of this?
MAGNIFICENT: Everybody’s a comedian now, I see.
BLOOM: I’ve never heard of someone having a personal magician.
MAGNIFICENT: I was a personal magician with Muhammad Ali for five years.
SCARBOROUGH: Majestik, let me ask you a question.
MAGNIFICENT: Sure.
SCARBOROUGH: You certainly don’t have to defend working for Michael Jackson. I do want to ask you, though, Majestik, you have blamed the media. You said the media needs to leave Michael Jackson alone; it’s the media’s fault. Don’t you think that Michael Jackson’s behavior may, in fact, be what’s putting him where he is right now?
MAGNIFICENT: No, it’s people like that other guy that just was on and Diane Dimond that has some personal vendetta against Michael and won’t give Michael a fair shake, because I don’t know if it’s jealousy, envy, but these allegations are a conspiracy because of the album that’s coming out. These allegations are something to tarnish his name in history, and you will see in a court of law it will be clear.
Last year, the New York Daily News alluded that Jermaine Jackson may be responsible for Majestik Magnificent's involvement with Michael and that the connection was through Leonard Muhammad, the son-in-law of Nation of Islam Minister Louis Farrakhan.
Magnificent Majestick, a confidant of Jackson's dad, Joe, and the pop star's "personal magician," said the group was brought in by Jacko's Muslim sibling Jermaine, who wants someone to make sure his brother is not taken to the cleaners.
According to reports, Majestik has been seen accompanying Michael Jackson during his 2005 trial.
By the way, Majestik isn't the only magician in Michael Jackson's corner. According to the Michael Jackson Fan Club Web site, street magician David Blaine has been listed as a possible, but unconfirmed, witness in the current trial.
As for the job market for "personal magicians," Thomas says, "While some magicians bill themselves as the 'favorite magician' of various celebrities, I don't know of any that claim to be the 'personal magician' for any individual. There are a few 'corporate magicians' who work exclusively for one client, but such jobs are scarce. Most full-time magicians work a variety of venues – private parties, cruise ships, restaurants, nightclubs and bars, school shows, Renaissance Faires ... whatever jobs they can find."
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