"After this, we're doing films."
Sunday, January 10, 2010 at 12:00AM Those were the final words my uncle Michael would ever say to me.
It was at the end of our family day at a Beverly Hills Indian restaurant. While I was saying my goodbyes to the rest of my family, I went up to my uncle and hugged him. I told him that I loved him and that I was proud of him and proud to be his nephew. I also said I would see him soon because I was planning to go to the UK to see his shows. He responded by saying that he loved me more. He then paused, looked me straight in the eyes and said, "after this, we're doing films."
That was our master game plan. You see, my uncle had another huge passion besides music... that was film directing. We would always talk about making films together, me and him, we were going to be a 1-2 Jackson power combo.
That's what I loved about my uncle. You truly believed like you could do anything when you were with him. He made you feel like that. He was so inspirational.
Since he's been gone, a huge hole exists for me. One that can never be filled. An emotional, spiritual, and mental hole. The only thing that helps, is knowing that I am doing exactly what he would want me to do. Doing what he taught me to do…. and that's film. And that's why Code Z is so important to me. It's about a promise. A promise to direct films. A simple promise that I made to my uncle, who was and always will be the greatest.
I know someone could say that Code Z is just a zombie series. But it's much more than that too. It's the official start to my film career... when I finally stopped talking about it and started doing it.
I really want to thank all of you for helping me keep that promise.
Taj
Reader Comments (200)
Dear Taj,
I understand creating this post wasn't easy...I'm proud of you for expressing your thoughts and emotions here with us. I know that with Michael's spirit by your side, you can still become a 1-2 Jackson power combo. Go for your dreams....and do what Michael wanted you to do: make films, but don't forget to return to your fans and make music...
Thanks for everything, stay as you are and I wish you lots of support and strenght...Having to much Michael sure is an emotional and spiritual gap we have to deal with.
Take care,
Janneke
Keep going on taj ! with passion you CAN do everything !
All my support from France
Hey Taj,
beautiful words. Keep on living your (and his) dream. He's definitely proud of you.
Though, hope to see you back in Holland as well... very soon.
Miss you guys!
Take care.
Love,
Laura
And, we are, going to do, those films, the real films!
Mom
Dear Taj,
I also have no mother, who died too young.
Now I am mother and my son is my whole life.
The pain of the loss of your beautiful people
become a flower with magnificent colors
and its long roots will fill your heart.
You must have faith and courage, my friend
life and the world have opened their arms to you.
A kiss from Italy
thank you for sharing, Taj. I'm sure he is very proud of you :)
keep it up!
much love, always x
The Zombie thing worked really well for your uncle so you are definitely following his footsteps.
Good luck to you and hopefully we will see at the Academy Awards.
Dear Taj,
You uncle was such an inspiration to the world. His passing has left a void with all of us who love him and I can only imagine how great the pain is for you and your family. You all are in my prayers daily. I know your uncle would be so proud of you for following your dreams and making them happen. All the fans support everything you want to do in life an are behind you 100%. It had to be hard to post this but we greatly appreciate you and your family for letting us into your lives like you do. You and your family are like no other celebrity family, you all stay so down to earth and always keep your fans close and for that we greatly respect you all. I wish continued success, happiness and love to you and your family in all your future endeavors. We hope to hear more music from you and your brothers soon. The music world still needs you and We Miss you guys.
Love,
Stephanie
Hello Taj,
I felt so bad when your Uncle Michael passed away, He did a lot of good things not only to you but to everyone and you know that, it's so difficult to admit but we have to move on and we have to keep in mind that there's always a good reason for everything, and that one Good Reason is You, He might not be able to continue but He wants You to keep moving, He believed in You and We believe in You too, You can do it and We are so proud of YOU!!!!
Thank you so much Taj for this, i was just here last night and i'm so happy that, i should say Friends, are so close to you though they are so far away, i wanna be part of this too!! be your friend.
literally, i'm quite far, currently living in Dubai, once your Uncle Michael came here for a visit, when you launch Code Z The Series do you think i wud be able to watch it?? or is it coming out on a DVD??
God Bless and More Power to You!!!!
regards to TJ & Taryll!!! =)
4everinlove,
Sally
I can't wait to see CodeZ .. i know you work hard for your first film project.. all the best taj! to you and your brothers always.......
Dear Taj...
You said this so beautifull... I'm so proud of you to do this it's so hard for you!!
Michael was not only a inspiration for you but also for me i'm a "fan" since the age of 5 (now 28) and i always loved him and continue to love him! He maked me the person who i am right now and i am so thankful for that! Not only for the dance and music but also he as a human!! There is no other man like him! He died on my b-day and that day will never be the seem anymore for me!! I always support and believed in him.. He really is my hero!!
Well, this is what i want to say to you...
I excited to see the movie and good luck in the future with all the thing you want to do!!
I really love you're family....
Love,
Linda
Dear Taj,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts en feelings. It must nog have been easy to do so.
I understand that there is a hole for you. And it can never be filled. So I think your uncle will be proud of you. Doing what you like so much. I saw the website this morning for the first time. I'm really curious about it. I hope it will be possible the see in the Netherlands. Your uncle had an effect on peoples lives. He was and is a true inspiration.
Taj, you go for it, make him proud! And don't forget to enjoy this!!
Take care!!
Sonja
I am happy you exist to do this.
Good luck and may all your dreams become reality!
Thank you for sharing this...for me who never got closer to him then the front row at his concert it's great to hear that people near him gave him love and hugs and told him he was great!!
I think Michael had wanted to make movies ever since the 80s,that is the impression I got. Partly because of that I am happy that they did the This is it movie. Good luck with code z and everything you will do in the future. You see like such a sweet person. I think you and TJ are now my favorite Jacksons.
Such a moving and emotional post Taj x Your Uncle was truly a creative genius - music, dance and film, and I'm sure he would be so proud of you for following in his footsteps and keeping your promise x
I wish you all the best Taj
lots of love and support always xxx
your words made me so emotional... i would like to say so much things, but at the moment i have no english words for it. I try it on an easy way: I never met your uncle, but i remember me on my childhood: I was 9 years old and i realized him the first time. i learned from him: To be different is no problem, maybe it makes you better than the other. It isn't bad to be not like everyone. You have to be who you want to be. He was never unfriendly or rude. I saw him 1998 live on stage and it was the best i ever saw. This engery, the power for his ideas and dreams... He was the greatest of entertainment and he believed in you!!
I am sure you will do it!! You have to believe in you!!! We do it!! You touched people with music, with words, with meetings, you was everytime kindly and you spent time of your private life for making someone a great memory. I am sure if you put your passion, energy and hard work in your dreams, than your dreams are not longer dreams. I believe in you and i am sure you will get a film career!!!
This is hard to read and I bet it was harder to write it. Taj, Thankyou for being there and for continuing Michael's legacy. You are an amazing person. Michael is looking down now and is smiling because you're making him proud over and over and over again. GOD Be with you and your family at this time and the future. Thankyou!
L.O.V.E.
Romi
keep going Taj that's amazing we will support you till the end and for sure MJ will be proud of u god bless him, u and all your family L.O.V.E
I just know that Michael would be so proud of you that you did Code Z the series. It must be hard for you doing this while you just lost your uncle. But think about what he would want for you. He would want you to fulfill your dreams and be as happy as you can be. I know you can do it!!!
Taj, we are also very proud of you. I wish you all the luck in that career. I know you are very talented and will do a great job. Your uncle is certainly very proud of you, as we are. But I wanted to ask you not to leave fans of 3T. We love you, guys, and miss your music.
Thank you for sharing these moments with us.
All support from Brasil! :-)
Kisses,
Silvia
I cant wait to see Code Z.
With Michael by your side, you can do anything!
As painful as it is not having Michael here with us, i know he is watching over you.
He's not gone at all but its still very hard to deal with.
Love,
Janena, Mamoudou
Moussa, Dialo, Sewdou
The Netherlands
Good luck in your new journey and career.
wow Taj
i'm so proud of you
and i know michael would be. no he is. he's watchin you and smiles.. i know it for a fact.
"when I finally stopped talking about it and started doing it." << that is so right.we all should less talk about things, and more do it. realize it, to make our dreams come true.
god.. i'm very proud of you.and thanks for your honest words about Michael.
i wish you just the best for that film thing.you'll be a great director !!
can't wait to see it.
Michaels passing left a big unfillable hole in all of us.. :-(
i miss him like crazy taj :(
good luck with everything you do,
feel you hugged <3
greetings from germany,
Susie
Hey Taj...
Taj beautiful words ... You have done well .... his uncle Michael is very proud of you .... to be continuing the project he wanted to give ... Continue straight as a man as an example for all ... I loved his words ... I hope one day to see this Code Z The Series ..... fix all the fans are proud of you and your brothers ... Kisses, kisses, kisses... <3 <3 <3... ^_^