LaToya Jackson tells the Mirror that Michael Jackson's children - Paris, 11, Prince 12, and Blanket, 7 - have sought help from therapists to cope with their dad's death on June 25.

"Prince just doesn't want to speak about it," says LaToya, who is two years older than Michael. "I do worry about him very much." Prince's little sis, Paris, on the other hand, "thinks and talks about her father all the time. She's doing very well, writes a lot and she wears his shirts every day," LaToya says. "They still smell of him, and it helps her feel close to him."

Blanket, the youngest, is having a hard time, his aunt says. He "is just a very sad, shy little boy. . . . He cries - he really does cry. It's so painful for him. No one can bring his daddy back, and it hurts so much. They all go to therapy and I truly hope Prince especially will be able to open up." LaToya says the entire family has pitched in to care for the kids, who are home-schooled.

'Twilight' cast to visit - you!

Try not to have a coronary: Summit Entertainment yesterday announced that "select" members of the cast of The Twilight Saga: New Moon will be at the Cherry Hill Mall Nov. 11 as part of a 15-city tour of this, our great Vampire Nation. The event also includes a performance by one of the bands featured in the movie.

Will Robert Pattinson be there? Kristen Stewart? No idea: Organizers will not reveal who'll be attending. They want to keep it a surprise. Info: www.newmoon-themovie.com.

U2 360° to visit - you!

World savior Bono and his boys, U2, wrap up their latest tour this week, having "played to over three million fans in just 44 cities," announces a news release. It adds that the Irish band wants to spread its talent to more people. They'll bring the 360° Tour ("sponsored by BlackBerry," the release boasts) back to North America June 6, 2010, with a show in Anaheim, Calif. The tour hits Lincoln Financial Field in Philly on July 12 and New York's New Meadowlands Stadium on July 19. Ticket prices and sale dates for each show will be announced "soon." Info: www.u2.com.

Kate at Women's Conference

Maria Shriver, whose two-day, star-studded Women's Conference 2009 began yesterday in Long Beach, Calif., told USA Today she first heard about conference guest Kate Gosselin from her 19-year-old daughter, Katherine Schwarzenegger, "when that family was all intact - last spring it was."

Shriver said Katherine and her other daughter, Christina, 18, told her to watch Jon & Kate Plus 8. "My kids make lots of suggestions. I finally watched the show and here's this couple with eight kids and a children's book coming out. I thought she'll come and sign the book," Shriver says. Then the Gosselins' marriage fell apart. "People were like, 'Oh my God!' "

"The point of this conference is to have people from all walks of life," Shriver says, adding that Kate's fellow guests are a veritable rainbow of diversity: "It's Madeleine Albright and Kate Gosselin, there's Valerie Jarrett and Meghan McCain, Sheila Bair - head of the FDIC, the most powerful woman in the nation when it comes money. There's Alicia Keys and Jane Goodall."

Shriver says she doesn't follow news about the Gosselins' divorce battle.

Yanks' secret weapon: Jay-Z

The Phillies face the Yankees in the World Series tomorrow with two slight disadvantages: Not only does the home field belong to New York, so does the night's entertainer, Jay-Z.

The rap megastar and Brooklyn native, whose New York-centric anthem "Empire State of Mind" is blasted at Yankees games, will perform with fellow New Yorker Alicia Keys.

Shawn Corey Carter, as Jay-Z is known to The Tax Man, was giddy, calling the gig a "once-in-a-lifetime experience." Jay-Z, who co-owns the NBA's New Jersey Nets, isn't unbiased. "Thank the good Lord for making me a Yankee," he said.

The rapper, who yesterday was making the rounds to promote DJ Hero, his new video game due out today, said "Empire State of Mind" is his ode to New York: "It's about inspiration, it's about hope - I think that's what connects with people. The song connects outside of New York. Every night I play it, there's a monster response, no matter if we're in Providence or whenever."

'Office' star to host Globes

In a not-quite-unprecedented move, organizers have hired a host to steer the Jan. 17 Golden Globe Awards. Variety says British funnyman Ricky Gervais of The Office and Extras fame will take the steering wheel.

It's the first time the show has had a host since '95.

Olsens to make more $$$

So-called sartorial siblings Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen have signed with JC Penney to release a line of affordable clothes for juniors called Olsenboye. USAToday.com says the fashions will be sold in select locations starting in November and nationwide at 600 Penney stores in February. To preview the line, visit piejcp.com.

A 'Mad' wedding

Elisabeth Moss, who is tasked with the onerous task of wading through the sexist 1960s world depicted on AMC's Mad Men, on Sunday wed Saturday Night Live comic Fred Armisen, her rep yesterday confirmed.

The couple, who in August said they were planning a simple "medium-sized" ceremony, said their "I dos" before friends and family at The Foundry in Long Island City, N.Y.

This is the first marriage for Moss, 27, who earlier had announced she would wear Claire Pettibone for the nuptials. Armisen, 42, best known for his Barack Obama imitation, has a previous wife.

Victim: Drop Polanski case

Samantha Geimer, who long ago publicly identified herself as the girl who was allegedly raped by Roman Polanski when she was 13, has urged the Second District Court of Appeal in California to drop the case against the director.

Geimer's attorney, Lawrence Silver, writes in the court filing that Polanski's arrest has "caused her to have health-related issues."

The stress, the filing says, has caused Geimer, now 45, to have work-related problems. There's a "real possibility that Samantha could lose her job," it adds.

Geimer has long called for the case against Polanski to be dropped. The Polish-born director in '77 pleaded guilty to unlawful sexual intercourse, but fled the country before he could be sentenced.

Polanski's lawyers have yet to comment.

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Contact "SideShow" at sideshow@phillynews.com.

This column contains information from Inquirer wire services.