Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Entertainment
Jill Lupupa

Michael Jackson’s nephew Taj says there is “no new King of Pop” with Harry Styles

Texas State University has announced plans to introduce a course on popstar Harry Styles next year

(Picture: Dia Dipasupil / Getty Images)

Michael Jackson’s nephew Taj Jackson is not pleased with Rolling Stone crowning Harry Styles as the “new King of Pop”.

The popstar and former One Direction member has appeared on the cover of Rolling Stone UK, in glittery shorts and a fur coat, for October/November, with the title hailing “how the new King of Pop set the world aflame”.

The 28-year-old discusses his relationship with Olivia Wilde and his sexuality in an open interview in the magazine.

Harry Styles has been dating Olivia Wilde since working on their joint project, Don’t Worry Darling (GC Images)

However, Taj Jackson was displeased to see the title of the tell-all after his late uncle Michael Jackson was originally crowned the King of Pop after being one of the best-selling artists and performers in history.

The Billie Jean singer died at the age of 50 in 2009.

Harry on the cover of Rolling Stone (Amanda Fordyce/Rolling Stone UK)

Upon seeing the headline Jackson, 49, took to Twitter to defend his uncle’s legacy.

He wrote: “There is no new King of Pop. You don’t own the title @RollingStone, and you didn’t earn it, my uncle did. Decades of dedication and sacrifice.

“The title has been retired. No disrespect to @Harry_Styles, he’s mega talented. Give him his own unique title.”

Referring to Bruce Springsteen and Elvis Presley, Jackson added: “Notice how they never crown someone ‘the new Boss’ or ‘the new King’.”

One user commented on the use of the title in a 2003 issue of Rolling Stone: “They tried the same - with Timberlake. There is no new King Of Pop!”

Another said: “I’m a huge harry styles fan but no. He is not the new king of pop. There is no new king of pop.”

Another user echoed: “As a harry fan 100% agree with you”.

Some users disagreed, writing: “It’s just a word. It’s a description for an artist that we love and adore. It’s not that deep tbh”.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.