Rowe, the mother of Jackson's two oldest children, 12-year-old Michael Joseph Jr, known as Prince Michael and 11-year-old daughter Paris Michael Katherine, had initially planned to attend the memorial at Staples Center but has now pulled out as she feels her presence would be a "distraction".

"Although Debbie had originally planned to attend tomorrow's Staples Center memorial service, we have concluded with Debbie that she will not be attending. The onslaught of media attention has made it clear her attendance would be an unnecessary distraction to an event that should focus exclusively on Michael's legacy," a statement from the law firm representing her Browne, Woods & George said.

It added Debbie "will continue to celebrate Michael's memory privately".

The decision to stay away from her former husband's memorial service comes after Rowe had a tiff with media people and photographers on Sunday as she emerged from a Chinese restaurant near her house in Lancaster.

Rowe was caught on video lashing out at a photographer who questioned her about the custody of her two children with the late pop star.

"Don't touch me," she yelled as a swarm of paparazzi who followed her. As she got into her car she lashed out at a mediaperson whom she accused of touching her.

When asked whether she was ready to seek custody of the kids, she responded, "are you ready to get your butt kicked?"

She ignored another question about whether she was seeking money to give up her claim on the children.