Janelle Monáe has deleted the controversial video she shared of herself recreating Michael Jackson’s infamous dangling baby incident.
The move comes after she sparked backlash for posting a clip of herself holding a robotic dog over the balcony of her hotel, much like how the late King of Pop gave the world a first glimpse of his son, Bigi (formerly known as Blanket), in 2002.
Many found the parody video offensive, as Jackson, who died aged 50 in 2009, was at a “low point” in his life when he famously dangled his baby out of the window of his fourth-floor hotel room.
He later called the decision a “terrible mistake” and admitted that he “got carried away by the emotion of the moment.”
“I would never intentionally put my children’s lives in danger,” the superstar said in a statement, obtained by Entertainment Weekly.
Janelle Monáe has deleted the controversial video she shared of herself recreating Michael Jackson’s infamous baby dangling incident
Before Monáe deleted her post, one X user called her “so classless” for dressing up as him in a short black wig and red jacket to poke fun at the unfortunate moment.
“What you did was sick and evil and you know it!” the angry fan wrote.
Another tweeted: “Not sure what made @JanelleMonae think it was a good idea to recreate a low point in Michael Jackson’s career 22 years after it happened and 15 years after his death.”
“Janelle Monàe has lost all my respect today. Not funny at all. LET MICHAEL JACKSON REST IN PEACE,” posted a third.
A fourth said: “I’m still upset about Janelle disrespecting Michael like that! It was disgusting!”
Monáe has not yet specified why she deleted the video.
When Jackson dangled his then-infant from the balcony of his room at the Adlon Hotel, around 200 fans gathered outside.
The father of three covered his little one’s face with a towel as he showed him off to the crowd below.
While Bigi was welcomed with the help of a surrogate mother, Jackson shared his two oldest children, Paris, 26, and Prince, 27, with ex-wife Debbie Rowe.
The move comes after she sparked backlash for posting a clip, in which she can be seen holding a robotic dog over the balcony of her hotel, much like how the late King of Pop gave the world a first glimpse of his son, Prince Michael II, in 2002.
Last month it was revealed that Jackson was more than $500 million in debt at the time of his death in 2009.
In court documents, obtained by PeopleThe artist allegedly owed money to more than 65 creditors.
The documents include a petition from the estate’s executors seeking retroactive payment for 2018 related to the late singer’s estate, which now stands at $2 billion.
The reimbursement includes “legal, negotiation and other operating expenses” over the past six years, the outlet said.
The request comes after the executors’ attorney, John Branca, claimed that Jackson’s estate was saddled with debt and nearly bankrupt at the time of his death in a March court filing.
Many found the parody video offensive, as Jackson, who died aged 50 in 2009, was at a “low point” in his life when he famously dangled his baby out of the window of his fourth-floor hotel room (seen above in 2002).
The Thriller hitmaker had “more than half a dozen lawsuits pending worldwide” and more than “65 creditor claims were filed against the estate, resulting in additional claims, several of which resulted in litigation,” the petition reads, according to the outlet.
“The executors were able to renegotiate and restructure the financial arrangements that existed at the time of Michael’s death, at substantially reduced interest rates, allowing the estate to avoid losing assets to lenders and ultimately satisfy liens that existed at the time of Michael’s death,” the petition continues.
Under the agreement with Jackson’s children, Paris, Prince and Bigi, who are the beneficiaries of his estate, the probate court oversees the estate’s financial affairs.
The new filing states that every six months, attorneys administering the estate must seek court approval to receive 30% of his compensation, while retaining the remaining 70%.