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Singer Janelle Monáe cops backlash for recreating Michael Jackson balcony incident

A Grammy nominee has deleted a video of herself recreating Michael Jackson’s infamous balcony moment after copping backlash online.

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Janelle Monáe deleted a video of her recreating Michael Jackson holding his youngest son, Bigi Jackson, formerly known as Blanket, over a balcony.

The Lipstick Lover singer, who is currently on tour in Europe, posted the parody clip on Instagram and swiftly received backlash.

In the post, Monáe, who was dressed as the late King of Pop in a red shirt and a short black wig, dangled a robotic dog over the balcony of her hotel.

While some fans thought the video was in jest, others believed it was disrespectful to mock Michael, who died at age 50 in June 2009, at such a “low point” in his life.

Janelle Monáe recreates infamous Michael Jackson balcony moment

“The fact that @JanelleMonae is so classless now and attacking @JanetJackson brother Michael Jackson who has been dead over 15 years is pathetic and sad. Janelle I hope you never have to face his sister now because what you did was sick and evil and you know it!” wrote one X user.

“Not sure what made @JanelleMonae think it was a good idea to re-enact a low point in Michael Jackson’s career 22 years after it happened and 15 years after his death,” added another.

Janelle Monáe recreated this infamous Michael Jackson balcony moment.
Janelle Monáe recreated this infamous Michael Jackson balcony moment.
Jackson held his son 8-month-old son Prince Michael II over the balcony of his Berlin hotel room in 2002. Picture: Olaf Selchow/Getty Images
Jackson held his son 8-month-old son Prince Michael II over the balcony of his Berlin hotel room in 2002. Picture: Olaf Selchow/Getty Images

“Janelle Monàe lost all my respect today. Ain’t nothing funny about that. LET MICHAEL JACKSON REST IN PEACE,” tweeted a third person.

“I’m still upset about Janelle disrespecting Michael like that! It was gross!,” a fourth fan wrote.

Page Six has reached out to reps for both Monáe and the Jackson estate for comment but did not immediately hear back.

Monáe has been called “disrespectful” for her mocking the King of Pop. Picture: Robyn BECK / AFP
Monáe has been called “disrespectful” for her mocking the King of Pop. Picture: Robyn BECK / AFP
The singer has since deleted the video on social media. Picture: Leon Neal/Getty Images
The singer has since deleted the video on social media. Picture: Leon Neal/Getty Images

In November 2002, Michael made headlines when he dangled his then-9-month-old son, Blanket, over the balcony of his presidential suite at Berlin’s Adlon Hotel.

While the baby hung over the edge as shocked fans watched on, his face was hidden with a blanket.

The Thriller singer later apologised for the incident, saying he “got caught up in the moment” and that he “would never intentionally endanger the lives” of his children.

Michael was also a dad to son Prince Jackson, 27, and daughter Paris Jackson, 26, whom he shared with ex-wife Debbie Rowe.

The 13-time Grammy winner welcomed Bigi (born Prince Michael Jackson II), now 22, via surrogate in 2002.

This article originally appeared in Page Six and was reproduced with permission

Originally published as Singer Janelle Monáe cops backlash for recreating Michael Jackson balcony incident

Original URL: https://www.themercury.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/singer-janelle-mone-cops-backlash-for-recreating-michael-jackson-balcony-incident/news-story/b9ffc41cd5ab3ce9b01f4765505b57d2