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La Toya Jackson won’t be ‘Dancing’

She says she couldn’t do the reality show so soon after her brother’s death

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updated 2:49 p.m. ET Aug. 17, 2009

La Toya Jackson won’t be putting on her dancing shoes this season.

“I’ve been approached to do ‘Dancing With the Stars,’” Jackson told Access Hollywood’s Tony Potts exclusively on Thursday. “The fact of the matter is, I won’t be doing it, simply because of the circumstances that (are) going on at the moment.”

The singer, who was three years older than her late brother, Michael Jackson, who passed away on June 25 at the age of 50, said she can’t even think of joining “Dancing” while so many questions remain unanswered regarding her brother’s death.

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“I can’t see myself putting myself into there right now, dancing every single day when I’m still trying to find out what exactly happened to my brother,” Jackson said. “That’s the most important thing for me at this very moment.”

However, she said her mother, Katherine Jackson, would have loved to see her on the ABC reality competition.

“I love that show,” La Toya Jackson explained. “It’s not only one of my favorite shows, it’s my mother’s as well. They had on television that I was doing it, and she goes, ‘Oh honey! Is that going to be you?’ I go, ‘Mother, that’s just a rumor.’ She just perked up! We watch it together.”

And while “Dancing” isn’t in her immediate future, another reality competition might be.

“I would love to do ‘American Idol,’” Jackson said. “I would love to be a judge on that show. I think I would do well with (Simon).”

But for now, Jackson is focusing on carrying on Michael’s legacy. She spoke with Access while spending the morning honoring her late brother by volunteering for AIDS Project Los Angeles, speaking with doctors and patients, handing out food and more. Jackson also recently released her single “Home,” the proceeds of which go to AIDS Project L.A.

“It means a lot to be down here to be able to provide something, to help the people that really need this the most. It’s one of the causes that my brother supported, so I’m very, very happy to be a part of this and to continue that for him,” she said. “I feel like I’m fulfilling his wishes.”

While Jackson took some joy in the volunteer work, she said the family is still devastated over her brother’s death.

“It’s very heartbreaking. It really is,” she said. “We’re doing well. It’s very difficult for everybody.”

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