Janet Jackson threatens to sue TMZ over false claims that she slapped her niece Paris and called her a “spoiled bxtch.” There was a video of this alleged altercation, but there was no audio and the footage was grainy, so we may never know what went down. All we do know is that Janet is pissed. Her attorney Blair Brown issued the statement, “Ms. Jackson did not slap Paris, and did not call her a ‘spoiled little bitch’ or a ‘bitch.’”

With a lawsuit in the air, TMZ was quick to change their tone this morning, publishing a new story.

“Janet Jackson did not slap or verbally abuse Paris Jackson during a confrontation at the Jackson family home in Calabasas last week…Although we believed the story to be true when we published it, we have now determined it was not correct … Janet did not slap or otherwise touch Paris, nor did she verbally abuse her.”

Way to try and cover themselves. But who can you believe anymore when it comes to the Jackson drama? The adults who have been headline makers for decades, or the kids who take to Facebook and Twitter every chance they get? Paris has been getting flack for airing dirty laundry, but is she in the wrong? Not really. She’s just being a teen.

A former nanny of the kids wants people like Gladys Knight and others to back off Paris. In a statement issued to radaronline, she says: 

Everyone knows that Michael went to great lengths to protect his children from the public eye. While the use of veils and masks was unconventional, it only highlights how important this issue was to him. He understood, probably better than anyone, that growing up as a public figure, especially in the entertainment industry can be disaster…The recent drama surrounding Michael’s mother, Katherine, the ongoing custody issues and now the public dispute between Paris and Janet is exactly what Michael wanted to protect his children from. These matters have been further complicated by Gladys Knight and others recent and well intentioned comments about Paris. I have great respect and admiration for Mrs. Knight. And while I agree with the spirit of her comments, attacking Paris in public is not the answer.”

Give [Paris] a chance to make and learn from her mistakes without demonising her. She is a spirited, very expressive and dramatic young girl. The traits that made her the apple of her father’s eye are the same traits that she must learn to control as she matures into adulthood.

Let’s be careful not to dim her spirit. It breaks my heart to think that Paris and her brothers could become the subject of endless criticism for simply being kids.

So far no official word has been made on the Janet vs. TMZ case, but maybe she’ll cool down since they changed their story today. And as for Paris, let’s see if her Twitter “magically” disappears in the coming weeks.