Blanket Jackson has 'stopped talking' since 'Leaving Neverland' aired

Michael Jackson’s son, Blanket, became known worldwide after his dad dangled him over a third-floor balcony in Berlin in 2002.

Now, 17 years later, his godfather, Mark Lester, has claimed he’s worried about the teenager in the wake of the controversial Leaving Neverland documentary.

It comes after Michael Jackson’s nephew, Taj Jackson, said Blanket – who is now known as Biji – has become mute.

“Biji is the most talkative kid at school and he isn’t talking anymore. We’re all worried about him,” he said on Victoria Derbyshire’s TV show.

In an interview with The Sun, godfather Mark claims Blanket’s whole life is being controlled by the Neverland estate, he’s banned from going on social media and is often left to fend for himself while living with his 88-year-old grandmother, Katherine Jackson.

“He kept himself to himself. He would just immerse himself in his own little world,” Mark said about Blanket.

“The Jackson estate don’t want him to make money for anyone else. He’s an heir to a billion-dollar trust.

“They have trust issues, especially with people who may think they want to take advantage of either Blanket, Paris or Prince (Blanket’s 22-year-old brother) for their own financial gain.”

The documentary, which aired in Australia over the weekend, heard from Wade Robson and James Safechuck, who alleged that Michael sexually abused them as children.

The late King of Pop’s siblings, Tito, Marlon and Jackie Jackson, and his nephew Taj have addressed the documentary, claiming Michael Jackson was ‘naive’ about children, but wasn’t an abuser.

Tito’s son Taj, 45, claimed that the family do not wish to “put more energy” into the claims against their late relative – who died in 2009 – because they don’t want to draw any more attention to the documentary.

During their appearance on CBS This Morning, Taj said: “There’s a fear to put more energy to it and more eyeballs to it.

“That’s why Janet (his aunt) hasn’t said anything, because she doesn’t want to make it any bigger.”

The siblings stated that they know the Thriller hitmaker was not a sexual predator and accused the documentary of spinning lies.

Jackie, 67, said: “I don’t have to see the documentary… I know my brother. I know what he stood for, what he was all about… People that really know him, they know the truth.”

Taj went on to explain that he believes the Billie Jean singer had a “naivete” about how “odd” it was for him to sleep in the same bed as the children who stayed at his Neverland Ranch in Santa Barbara, but insisted that it was “very innocent”.

He added that he believes the accusers have filmed Finding Neverland for the money despite them insisting they will not profit from the film.

James Safechuck had claimed that they just want to protect others from going through similar experiences.

Speaking after the premiere of the documentary at the Sundance Film Festival last month, he said: “From the get-go, there was no money ever offered and we never expected anything. It was really trying to tell the story and shine a light on it. To give people [who have survived abuse] the same connection and comfort we’ve got going through this.”

Wade Robson alleged he was sexually abused by Michael from the age of seven until 14, while James Safechuck – who previously testified on Jackson’s behalf when he was accused of sexual abuse in 1993 – claimed he was a victim from the age of 10 until he hit puberty.

With extra reporting by Bang Showbiz

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