Janet Still Can’t Listen to Michael’s Music

In an interview with People magazine, Janet said that the intensity of her sadness still prevents her from listening to Michael’s music or seeing his photos. After Michael’s death, Janet stayed away from the media for a while so she could grieve in peace for her older brother. She also appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show and said she was worried about her brother’s use of painkillers.

“His laughter is etched in my mind. The last time I saw him was May 16, two days before my birthday, at the anniversary celebration of his parents’ wedding. I was doing something silly. Just like when we were kids... and he would look at me and burst into laughter.”

Six weeks after Janet’s birth, Michael died. When Oprah asked her whether she was shocked by hearing that Michael died from drug use or whether she had expected it, she replied: “I felt like it was finally going to happen. I think anyone who has a family or a friend would feel that way.”

Janet said that she and her family were concerned about Michael’s use of painkillers, and that’s why they intervened. But Michael: “Denied that he was addicted to painkillers. He didn’t think there was a problem with it.”

Source: eMJey / People / Oprah.com