FilmOn founder Alki David announced during a Beverly Hills press conference on Thursday that DNA testing has proven singer B Howard to be Michael Jackson’s son, with “99.99999 percent” probability. However, the proof’s authenticity is in question, and the generic lab’s logo may have even been lifted from “Terminator Salvation.”
TMZ burst any believers’ bubbles on Friday after obtaining a copy of the document David claimed was issued by a DNA lab in Ireland, creatively called “DNA Lab.” The outlet found no proof such a facility exists.
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And the graphic used in the logo is the same design featured in “Terminator Salvation.” The red double helix (left) was worn by Resistance soldiers fighting the Skynet machines in the post-apocalyptic “Terminator” sequel starring Christian Bale and Sam Worthington.
“That is an internal document. The logo was made by the DNA agency to make it look pretty. Lab documents are not pretty by nature. That data is bonafide and highly confidential,” a FilmOn spokesman told TheWrap. “TMZ stole private information. Naturally, I am not at all happy about this. FilmOn.com is reserving its rights on this matter”.
Howard — who actually does look and sound a lot like Jackson during his heyday — has already released a statement distancing himself from the DNA test that may or may not be a publicity stunt.
“To my fans, family, and friends, despite recent allegations, I did not authorize the testing of my DNA to be compared to that of the late Michael Jackson nor did I contact TMZ regarding the publication of the story,” Howard said in a statement included in a Thursday press release promoting FilmOn’s announcement.
“This spring, I agreed to be a part of a documentary with FilmOn.TV and was asked to give a sample of my DNA. Even though I agreed to this I never expected it to be used in this manner,” Howard’s statement continues. “To this day, I have never claimed to be Michael Jackson’s son nor do I have any intention of pursuing the family’s estate.”
Howard’s manager has yet to respond to TheWrap’s request for comment, in wake of TMZ identifying the DNA test results as “bogus.”
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The 31-year-old singer is said to be the product of an affair between Jackson and singer R&B singer Miki Howard, who had several hits in the ’80s and early ’90s, and appeared with Janet Jackson in the 1993 movie “Poetic Justice.”
David and his partners speculate that Howard’s mother was the subject of Jackson’s 1982 hit, “Billie Jean,” and that he is the child referenced when Jackson sings, “The kid is not my son.”