AP Photo/Alastair Grant, Getty ImagesIt was only a matter of time before the skeletons began to fall from the closet.
Although it is not an easy task to sift through what's fact and what's fiction as stories about the late singer's life begin to filter out, The Times of London has published a revealing and question-raising interview with the star's former nanny, an employee of nearly 17 years, Grace Rwaramba.
The interview reportedly took place prior to Jackson's death, with Rwaramba allegedly speaking about what she witnessed throughout her years with Jackson, most notably the rumored drug abuse and money troubles.
When asked about Jackson's rumored prescription drug abuse, the Times article quotes Rwaramba as saying, "He always ate too little and mixed too much. I had to pump his stomach many times . . . He always mixed so much of it."
According to the Times article, the addiction issues reportedly became so immense that Rwaramba, Michael's sister Janet Jackson and mother Katherine Jackson attempted to intervene, much to the dismay of the late singer.
"We tried to do an intervention. He was so angry with me," explains the ex-employee.
Debt and money issues were also discussed in the interview, as Rwaramba reportedly claimed that the singer was broke at the time of his death and hid money throughout his house.
"Michael had no idea about money. He got a proposal to make an appearance in Japan for $1 million," reads the article. "I knew how many people were involved. By the time everyone took their share, he ended up with $200,000."
When the family arrived at Jackson's Holmby Hill house on Friday, Katherine reportedly reached out to Rwaramba about her son's money.
According to The Times, Rwaranda claimed, "She said, 'Grace, the children are crying. They are asking about you. They can't believe that their father died. Grace, you remember Michael used to hide cash at the house. I am here. Where can it be?' "
Reportedly a mother-figure to Jackson's children, Rwaramba allegedly instructed Katherine to look "at the garbage bags and under the carpets." Then, according to the article, Jackson's mother urged her to come to Los Angeles. "She said, 'Grace, where are you? Come. I will pick you up from the airport.' She sounded so strong. So strong!"
Rwaramba is now in Los Angeles and will cooperate with the LAPD investigating the death, where she will reportedly be interviewed on Thursday.
After the Times publication hit the web this morning, longtime Jackson and Rwaramba friend, and daughter of famed spirituality guru, Deepak Chopra, Mallika Chopra, took to her blog to defend the former nanny, explaining that she believes the article is full of half-truths and chastises the author of the British publication, Daphne Barak.
"Michael had a pattern of letting those close to him in and out of his life, and Grace was no exception," writes Mallika. "Over the years, Grace faced a similar cycle of wanting to save him and being hurt by him. It was an endless cycle…Michael had a knack of surrounding himself with enablers, and avoiding people who wanted to help him like his family, real friends who cared deeply about him, Grace and my father, Deepak Chopra."
Rwaramba's friend continues, stating that the former nanny has never spoken to the press throughout her 17-years under Jackson's employee and condemns Barak for taking advantage of her during a vulnerable time.
"Daphne [wrote] an article full of quotes by Grace for a tabloid magazine [and] Grace's quotes are now being picked up by other tabloids." Chopra goes on to explain what she sees as inaccuracies in the way the Times article is written, saying: "For the record, Grace never pumped Michael's stomach. She has no idea how she would even do such a thing."
According to Chopra, Rwaramba's statements were made, but under great distress and are now being nipped and tucked to fit an image the media is portraying of Jackson.
Only time will tell the truth, although maybe not in its entirety. Until then, Jackson's friends, family and fans eagerly await the autopsy results and toxicology reports.