La Toya Jackson Releases Video for ‘Home’ MJ Tribute

Back in July, shortly after Michael Jackson’s sudden death, sister La Toya released one single off her upcoming album, which had been delayed indefinitely, as a tribute to the late King of Pop. At the time, La Toya said she would not promote the single in any way and that all proceeds from it would be donated to charity. While that last part still applies, the one about marketing the single not so much, as AceShowbiz can confirm.

La Toya has just released a video for “Home,” the song in question. Although save for the mention at the end of it that the video and single are “In loving memory of my brother, the legendary King of Pop, Michael Jackson” there are few hints that would indicate this is, indeed, a tribute video, La Toya wants fans to think so. Apparently, the idyllic scenery of the entire shot is reminiscent of Neverland, the place where Michael once used to be so happy. Other than that, there is little, if anything, that seems to connect La Toya’s latest release and her late brother, critics say – not that this diminishes in any way the video’s artistic value.

“A music video which is aimed to promote La Toya Jackson’s single ‘Home’ has come out. Directed by Eric Bute with cinematography by Reed Smoot, the video was shot at Disney’s Golden Oak Ranch in Santa Clarita, California. As a tribute to her brother Michael Jackson, this video captures a Neverland-esque setting.” AceShowbiz says of the video. As noted above and stressed by La Toya herself back in July, the proceeds from the single and, implicitly, the video, will go to AIDS Project Los Angeles, one of Michael’s favorite charities.

Despite the obvious (namely, that La Toya and her label are now promoting a single they said they would not), the singer’s label is adamant this is not a case of cashing in on Michael’s death, as several media outlets have already rushed to say. “After consulting with La Toya, we decided that both Bungalo and Ja-Tail Records would not earn any profit, but rather donate all of our time, energy, and proceeds to one of MJ’s favorite charities, APLA. We feel that the song and La Toya are amazing and to be able to raise awareness and funds for this organization is exactly what Michael would have approved of.” Bungalo Records President Paul Ring explains in a statement released to the media.

Be that as it may, not many are convinced of La Toya’s earnest intentions: even if she does donate the money she makes with this first single to charity, it still offers her enough exposure to relaunch her music career, with the same applying to the rest of the Jacksons, all of whom are already preparing for their own releases. Below is the video for La Toya’s Jackson “Home.”