The Neverland housekeeper who graphically described seeing Wade Robson naked in a shower with Michael Jackson … will play a huge role in whether Robson wins a cent from MJ’s Estate in his new civil lawsuit, TMZ has learned.

Sources close to the case tell us Wade’s lawyers are dissecting Blanca Francia‘s testimony during Jackson’s 2005 molestation trial.

During the trial, Francia — who worked at Neverland in the late ’80s — testified she witnessed Jackson showering naked with a 7 or 8-year-old Wade.

We obtained a transcript of the testimony in which Francia describes seeing Michael’s underwear on the floor outside the shower, as well as Wade’s child-sized neon green underwear.

She said she couldn’t see what Michael was doing exactly because the shower door was fogged up, but said she heard him laughing.

Ultimately, Francia’s testimony wasn’t enough to sway the jury — MJ was acquitted — partly because Wade himself also testified, but insisted Michael never touched him.

TMZ broke the story … Wade is planning to argue that MJ’s companies — MJJ Productions and MJJ Ventures — had a duty to protect him because they were involved in recruiting him from Australia to work with Michael.

According to sources, Wade wants to use Blanca’s testimony to show Michael abused him as a child. We’re told Wade’s lawyers are also trying to contact her to see if she will cooperate in the new case.

Article source: http://www.tmz.com/2013/05/18/wade-robson-michael-jackson-2005-molestation-trial-housekeeper-testimony/

Just how replaceable ARE “American Idol” judges?  According to “Idol” champ Taylor Hicks … SUPER DUPER REPLACEABLE.

Taylor was out in L.A. on Friday when our photog asked the season five winner the only interesting thing left to ask about “Idol” … is it time to replace ALL the judges?

Randy Jackson — the last remaining original judge – made his exit after the season finale, and it’s been reported that newbie judges Nicki Minaj, Mariah Carey and Keith Urban are all on the chopping block.

But Taylor is unfazed by the “A.I” shake up and believes the “revolving door” of judges COULD be a way to save the slowly dying show.

And in case you forgot who Taylor is, here you go:

Article source: http://www.tmz.com/2013/05/18/taylor-hicks-american-idol-judges-video/

“Modern Family” star Ariel Winter is throwing DISS after DISS at her birth mom … making it clear, she wants NOTHING to do with her biological life-giver ever again.

As you know, 15-year-old Ariel has been at war with Chrystal Workman for the past year — and even got a judge to strip her mother of custody in 2012 after claiming she was subjected to emotional abuse.

Now, Ariel is pouring salt in the wound — by making public statements in which she makes it clear, her mother is dead to her … and her older sister Shanelle has filled the emotional void.

When asked about her family yesterday, Winter told People.com, “My sister is the most amazing woman I’ve ever met in my life. If I could be half the woman she is … she’s kind of who I want to be like.”

Did you catch the thinly veiled dig at her mom? If not, check out what she Instagrammed on Mother’s Day:

“Happy Mother’s Day to my amazing mister, Shanelle Gray. I know everyone is going to ask what a mister is, so I’ll explain. It means mom/sister to me.”

She continued, “She’s my best friend … She’s also the most incredible mother. I am so blessed and lucky to have her.”

Translation — Ariel’s over Chrystal … and from what we’re told, she has good reason. How’s THAT for a modern family?

Article source: http://www.tmz.com/2013/05/17/ariel-winter-mother-dead-to-me-chrystal-shanelle/

Wade Robson surfaced in Hawaii with his wife and son on Friday … sportin’ an Aloha shirt and some flip flops following his “Michael Jackson molested me as a kid” media blitz. 

We broke the story … Wade recently sold his Santa Monica condo and skipped town to live with his wife and kid in her hometown on the island. 

Wade shouldn’t get too comfortable though … he’s gonna have to fly back to L.A. at some point to follow up on his claim against the Michael Jackson Estate.

In the meantime, it’s 80 degrees in Hawaii right now … with a slight chance of awesome.

Aloha.

Article source: http://www.tmz.com/2013/05/17/wade-robson-hawaii-family-photo-michael-jackson/

It’s official … Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez are officially a pair once again!!!!!!!!! At least in their seats at the Billboard Music Awards this weekend.

Photos of the seating arrangements have surfaced on the Internet — and you can plainly see, Justin and Selena will be seated next to each other at the award show on Sunday.

And for anyone thinking it’s an accident — celebs can easily request to sit apart from people if they really want to … so it’s obvious, neither Justin nor Selena had a problem being so close to one another.

Justin and Selena split last year, but ever since then they’ve been on-and-off-again more than Lindsay Lohan’s movie career — so this could finally be a sign they’re back together.

OR IS IT???

Article source: http://www.tmz.com/2013/05/17/justin-bieber-selena-gomez-billboard-awards-seating-chart/

New York Jets running back Michael Goodson was arrested in New Jersey early this morning after cops say the 25-year-old was in possession of weed and a loaded handgun.

According to cops, Goodson — who was signed by the Jets during the off-season to compete for the starting RB job — was a passenger in an SUV that was parked along Route 80 in Denville, NJ.

Cops say both Goodson and the driver of the vehicle appeared WASTED when they approached the vehicle.

During the encounter, cops say Goodson was found to be in possession of weed (less than 50 grams) — PLUS a loaded .45 caliber and hollow-point bullets.

FYI –  a hollow-point bullet is used to create maximum damage to its intended target … and in NJ hollow-points are not allowed to be carried around in public, with few exceptions.

Cops say both Goodson and the driver were so intoxicated that they were both transported to a local hospital for treatment.

The driver of the SUV was arrested on suspicion of DUI.

According to local reports, both Goodson and the driver were released from the hospital and into the custody of the NJ State Police. They’re both still in custody.

If you’re unfamiliar with Michael Goodson — it’s probably because he only has 3 career TDs.

Article source: http://www.tmz.com/2013/05/17/michael-goodson-arrested-drugs-and-marijuana-new-york-jets/

Wade Robson says he feels LIBERATED after opening up about the alleged sex abuse at the hands of Michael Jackson on national TV … and says he hopes he inspires other people to “speak their truth.”

Robson had just landed at LAX yesterday after his big tell-all interview with Matt Lauer on the “Today” show — and said he has no regrets about going public with his MJ accusations.

While Wade’s story is under fire — considering he so vehemently DEFENDED Michael during the 2005 molestation trial — the dance choreographer says he hopes his decision to come forward will be viewed as inspirational.

“If my coming forward and speaking the truth can help, honestly, one [person] to gain courage to speak their truth and begin the healing process then that would really be more than I could ask.”

TMZ broke the story … Wade is going after the Michael Jackson Estate in court, claiming MJ sexually abused him as a child. Wade said he waited so long to take action because he didn’t realize he was being abused until recently.

Article source: http://www.tmz.com/2013/05/17/wade-robson-molestation-victims-video/

Dick Trickle suffered from excruciating pain under his left breast in the days before he killed himself … and was “very down” about his health situation in his final days, this according to Trickle’s brother.

Chuck Trickle opened up to both TMZ and the Las Vegas Review Journal … saying Dick’s death from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound is “a shock to me … it’s real hard to think about.”

Chuck says he spoke with Dick just last week … and the former NASCAR driver was complaining about a severe pain under his left breast that seemed to be getting worse.

“He was having a lot of issues w some pain … he had sharp pain by his left breast and constant hard pain,” Chuck told TMZ.

Chuck says Dick went to the doctor twice a day in an effort to remedy the issue — and underwent numerous MRIs and CAT scans — but doctors were never able to determine the cause of the pain.

“He was very down,” Trickle said … adding, “He more or less said he didn’t know how much longer he could take the pain.”

As TMZ first reported, Trickle left a suicide note at the North Carolina cemetery where he died — it’s unclear if the note explains why Trickle decided to take his own life.

Article source: http://www.tmz.com/2013/05/17/dick-trickles-brother-driver-was-suffering-from-severe-chest-pains/

Apparently Ja Rule smuggled a couple of guns out of prison … ’cause the dude is YOKED!!!!

The rapper just posted a photo to his Instagram page … showing off the jacked physique he built while serving out his 2-year sentence in a NY prison for attempted illegal gun possession and tax evasion.

The 37-year-old rapper was obviously hittin’ the weights during his time in the big house … and clearly the hard work paid off …

Unlike some other prisoners we know …

Article source: http://www.tmz.com/2013/05/16/ja-rule-photo-muscular-ripped-prison/

Jermaine Jackson couldn’t BELIEVE it when he heard his nephew Taj’s claims that a family member had molested him as a child — telling TMZ, “I’ve never heard that. I’ve never ever heard that.”

As we reported, Taj Jackson — one of Tito’s sons — made the announcement on Twitter today, claiming an uncle on his mother’s side of the family sexually abused him as a child … and Michael Jackson counseled him through the trauma.

Taj says he made the announcement in an attempt to discredit Wade Robson‘s abuse allegations against MJ, claiming, “That is how I KNOW Wade is lying. Because I AM a survivor.”

Taj added, MJ “was a support system for me and my mom” during the abuse ordeal.

Taj believes Wade is making up stories about MJ in order to score a payday from the Jackson estate.

Article source: http://www.tmz.com/2013/05/16/jermaine-jackson-taj-nephew-shocked-molestation-wade-robson/