Michael Jackson’s biological son, B Howard, finally broke his silence and revealed the dark truth that shocked the world.

Michael Jackson’s legacy is often punctuated by controversy, and one of the latest involves singer-songwriter Brandon Howard, known as B. Howard, who has been speculated to be the King of Pop’s illegitimate son. The saga, fueled by media speculation and uncanny resemblances, has now reached a turning point as Howard breaks his silence. Here, we explore his life, career, and the swirling rumors surrounding his paternity.

The Rise of B. Howard

Born on April 2, 1981, in Los Angeles, Brandon Howard was raised in a musically rich environment, being the son of Grammy-nominated R&B singer Mickey Howard. Known for her soulful performances in the 1980s and 1990s, Mickey instilled in her son a deep love for music.

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Building a Career in Music

Howard’s early exposure to the arts translated into a relentless passion for music. From singing in church choirs to participating in talent shows, he demonstrated natural talent and an unyielding drive to carve his own path in the music world.

Before stepping into the limelight as a performer, Howard honed his skills behind the scenes, producing and writing for established artists. His breakthrough came with a collaboration with Epic Records and Ginuwine, marking his entry as a recognized force in the music industry.Howard’s career highlights include signature hits like Night and Day, a fan-favorite that showcased his ability to create emotionally resonant music. He has also worked on global projects, including collaborations with artists like Wyclef Jean and the Soweto Gospel Choir.

The Shadow of the Jackson Connection

Despite his growing success, Howard’s career has often been overshadowed by persistent rumors linking him to Michael Jackson. These speculations gained traction in the early 2000s, fueled by Howard’s physical resemblance to Jackson and similarities in their musical styles.

Addressing the Controversy

With growing public interest, Howard eventually addressed the rumors directly. Speaking candidly, he denied ever seeking media attention to promote a connection to Michael Jackson. Howard emphasized that his focus remains on his music and career, not on speculation about his lineage.

Although DNA test results have been mentioned in media reports, Howard has neither confirmed nor denied their validity, stating instead that he prefers to maintain his privacy on the matter. His measured response highlights a desire to distance himself from the controversy while respecting the Jackson family’s legacy.

A Legacy of His Own

Brandon Howard’s journey is one of perseverance, talent, and self-determination. While the whispers of a connection to Michael Jackson may persist, Howard has built a career that stands on its own merit. From producing chart-topping tracks to captivating audiences worldwide, he continues to make his mark in the music industry.

As the debate over his lineage continues, one thing is certain: Brandon Howard is a talented artist forging his own path, proving that his artistry is not defined by his name, but by the passion and dedication he brings to his craft.

Michael Jackson’s youngest child was born in February 2002

Michael Jackson during the 29th Annual American Music Awards on January 9, 2002 in Los Angeles, CA. ; Bigi Jackson attends the Annual THRILLER NIGHT Halloween Party on October 28, 2022 in Encino, California. . Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty

Michael Jackson was a father to three children before his death in 2009, but his youngest child, Bigi Jackson, has chosen to live more out of the public eye than his older siblings.

The late “Thriller” singer welcomed Bigi, who changed his name from Blanket in 2015, on Feb. 21, 2002, with a surrogate whose identity is unknown. He has two older siblings — Paris and Prince — whom Jackson shared with his ex-wife Debbie Rowe.

While Paris and Prince have been more public over the years — with the former following in her father’s footsteps as a singer — Bigi has kept his life private, only giving the occasional rare interview.

Michael Jackson’s 3 Kids: All About Prince, Paris and Bigi

However, in August 2023, he joined all three of his siblings in a celebration of what would have been his dad’s 65th birthday. He and Paris even hosted a Q&A for fans at Las Vegas’ Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, the host of Cirque du Soleil show Michael Jackson ONE.

From his relationship with his siblings to his passions for comics and climate change, here’s everything to know about Michael Jackson’s youngest child, Bigi Jackson.

He was born in February 2002

Blanket Jackson attends the Mr. Pink Ginseng Drink launch party on October 11, 2012 in Beverly Hills, California.Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic

Bigi was born Prince Michael Jackson II on Feb. 21, 2002. However, his dad quickly adopted the name Blanket for him after an expression he used with his family.

“I say ‘You should blanket him, you should blanket her with something,’ ” he said in an interview. “A blanket is a blessing, it’s a way of showing love and caring.”

When Bigi was 9 months old, his dad held him over a balcony in Berlin with a towel over his face to show off his infant to fans. He intended to make the announcement Lion King style, but received criticism for endangering his child.

“I offer no excuses for what happened. I made a terrible mistake,” Michael said in a statement to the Los Angeles Times. “I got caught up in the excitement of the moment. I would never intentionally endanger the lives of my children.”

After Michael died in 2009, Bigi was mainly raised by his grandmother, Katherine Jackson.

He is close to his older brother

Prince Michael Jackson, Biji Jackson and Paris Jackson appear on stage at the Michael Forever Tribute Concert in memory of the late Michael Jackson at the Millennium Stadium on October 8, 2011 in Cardiff, Wales. Samir Hussein/WireImage

Growing up, Bigi was close to both of his siblings but he has an especially tight bond with Prince.

“Prince and Bigi are best friends,” a family friend told PEOPLE in 2019. “They share a lot of interests like science and sci-fi.”

When Bigi turned 18 in 2020, he celebrated with both Paris and Prince at a sushi restaurant. In October 2019, Prince spoke to Access Hollywood about how growing up experiencing the same struggles brought the siblings closer together.

“I think with any siblings, you know, you grow up in a situation and factors that are very similar,” he said. “Just like in that situation you have a bond with them because nobody else really understands how you grew up or how you were raised. But they 100 percent understand you and it’s a very raw, unfiltered relationship.”

He is an expert in film

Rare sighting of Blanket Jackson interacting with fans along with his brother Price during their father’s birthday in which Michael Jackson would have been 65 years old in Las Vegas.Brian Prahl / SplashNews

After Prince graduated from college, he announced that he and Bigi would start their own YouTube channel where the two would review movies. They started off with a review of Avengers: Endgame, before going into other movies like Marriage Story.

During Prince’s 3rd annual “Thriller Night” Costume Party on Halloween in 2019, Prince expanded on his brother’s knowledge of film and comics in an interview with Entertainment Tonight.

“My brother has a really unique talent to be able to tell you, even a movie he hasn’t seen, he’ll tell you what year it came out. He knows the director, the staff, the crew, everybody behind it that you wouldn’t know,” Prince explained.

He added, “He really thinks and studies about film in a different way that you would notice and that comes with his upbringing with my dad encouraging him to study film. We had a film teacher at a very young age. So it was really his idea and he was championing behind it.”

He is passionate about climate change and honoring his father’s legacy

Biji Jackson celebrating Prince Jackson’s college graduation. Prince Jackson/Instagram

Bigi’s passions and interests also include memorializing Michael. In a rare interview with Good Morning Britain in November 2021, he spoke about how his father’s legacy lives on through his children.

“There’s a lot of really cool stuff here. There’s a lot of history in this house and the studio here. That’s what he was all about,” he said, before referring to his siblings. “That’s what each of us want to do — make things that people enjoy but also benefit their lives.”

Bigi also shared his passion for addressing the impacts of climate change.

“I do think it’s important we all know about it. We have some work to do but our generation knows how important it is,” he said.

He got into an estate dispute with his grandma in March 2024

Prince Michael Jackson, Katherine Jackson, Blanket Jackson, and Paris Jackson attend the immortalization of Michael Jackson at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre Hand & Footprint ceremony on January 26, 2012 in Los Angeles, California.Lester Cohen/WireImage

In March 2024, Bigi took his grandmother, Katherine, to court, asking that she should not be able to use Michael’s estate to fund her ongoing legal battle against the executors in an argument over an undisclosed “recent transaction.”

Initially, both Bigi and Katherine were aligned in fighting the estate’s proposed transaction — which appears to be the estate’s estimated $600 million catalog sale to Sony. However, he argued in the court filings obtained by PEOPLE that the estate wouldn’t “benefit” from Katherine’s appeal after a judge ruled the transaction could move forward.

In December 2023, Katherine requested the estate to cover her legal bills in her appeal, which Bigi said would be “unfair.”

“It is readily apparent that a reversal on appeal would be an extreme longshot,” lawyers wrote on behalf of Bigi. “Given those odds, Bigi decided not to waste his resources to participate in an appeal. Nonetheless, Katherine has decided to appeal this court’s ruling. That decision is not for the benefit of the heirs.”