JOE JACKSON IS 'PROUD' OF GRANDKIDS' GRAMMY APPEARANCE

MICHAEL JACKSON's father JOE has shrugged off rumours he was "displeased" with plans to bring the superstar's children on stage at the upcoming Grammy Awards - insisting he is "very proud" of his grandkids.

Paris, 11, and Prince Michael, 12, are slated to make a public appearance at the awards ceremony in Los Angeles on Sunday night (31Jan10) to accept an award on behalf of the late King of Pop and to make a speech about their beloved father.

Joe was rumoured have been furious with the decision to thrust the grieving kids into the spotlight at such a high profile event.

But he's spoken out to back the move, insisting he helped initiate the youngsters' participation along with his wife Katherine.

He tells People.com, "I am very proud that my son, Michael Jackson, is a recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award at this year's Grammys. However, there (have) been some recent rumours that I am displeased with the idea that Michael's children are accepting the award on my son's behalf. On the contrary, I am very proud of my grandchildren. Katherine and I are the ones that (have) initiated their participation."

The Grammy Awards will take place on Sunday night at the Staples Center in L.A. - the same venue where Jackson's star-studded public memorial service took place last July (09

Smooth Criminal wrote:

MICHAEL JACKSON's father JOE has shrugged off rumours he was "displeased" with plans to bring the superstar's children on stage at the upcoming Grammy Awards - insisting he is "very proud" of his grandkids.

Paris, 11, and Prince Michael, 12, are slated to make a public appearance at the awards ceremony in Los Angeles on Sunday night (31Jan10) to accept an award on behalf of the late King of Pop and to make a speech about their beloved father.

Joe was rumoured have been furious with the decision to thrust the grieving kids into the spotlight at such a high profile event.

But he's spoken out to back the move, insisting he helped initiate the youngsters' participation along with his wife Katherine.

He tells People.com, "I am very proud that my son, Michael Jackson, is a recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award at this year's Grammys. However, there (have) been some recent rumours that I am displeased with the idea that Michael's children are accepting the award on my son's behalf. On the contrary, I am very proud of my grandchildren. Katherine and I are the ones that (have) initiated their participation."

The Grammy Awards will take place on Sunday night at the Staples Center in L.A. - the same venue where Jackson's star-studded public memorial service took place last July (09

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