With the release of “Thriller 25,” Michael Jackson is back in the forefront of everybody’s mind but probably not in the way he’d like.

Once pop music’s golden boy, Jackson is now facing financial trouble that includes the impending foreclosure and possible auction of his Neverland Ranch.

Being the huge Michael Jackson fan that I am, anytime I hear about his financial woes it brings trouble to my heart. It weighs heavily on my soul. A little dramatic? I know.

If Michael is having money trouble, then things aren’t looking good for the rest of us. For goodness sake, he has the best selling album of all time, hits for days and sold-out concerts.

Let’s be honest with ourselves – purchasing a property like Neverland Ranch with all of its modifications was an expensive venture. Too expensive for Jackson, apparently, because come March 19, Neverland Ranch may be nothing more than a skeleton of a life and dream that once was. According to USAToday.com, Financial Title Co. filed the notice of trustee sale with Santa Barbara County documenting Jackson’s severe default on a loan totaling close to $25 million.

In another time known as the mid-’80s, $25 million would have been a mere blip on Jackson’s financial radar but with his lack of touring and so-called flop of his “Thriller” re-release, this could indeed bring Jackson down.

Looking at his situation, it really puts the whole sub-prime loan fiasco into perspective. It’s not just regular people who are having trouble keeping up with their mortgage payments. The former King of Pop could use a little assistance as well.

Problems seem to follow Jackson wherever he goes because even with his fiscal anguish, few stories are being published without the mention of his previous child molestation cases.

Jackson is a big enough freak show without the media bringing up old news, so let’s just stay focused.

The question on everyone’s mind is: Where and how is Jackson going to get the loot to pay back the loan? Furthermore, will he get the money in time? Junior speech pathology major Katie Baumbach feels he shouldn’t have access to Neverland Ranch if he can’t pay the bills.

“I don’t want him around kids so I don’t want him to have access to Neverland Ranch,” Baumbach said.

Something tells me that he and his lawyers have got something up their sleeves; I just refuse to believe that Michael Jackson is going broke. The same Michael Jackson who toured the world with his four brothers almost 40 years ago, pumped out hit after hit helping to make Motown Records the powerhouse label it is now and solidified an uber-successful solo career. He also owns the rights to the Beatles catalog.

No, Michael has money.

Even still, reality is probably setting in right about now. With March 19 just days away, the 2,900-square foot Neverland Ranch may become a thing of the past if Jackson can’t come up with the money. But what will become of Neverland Ranch if Jackson can’t come up with the money?

Junior psychology major Elisa Goering suggests donating the property to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. “They say that kind of stuff helps the healing process,” Goering said.

I can’t say I agree because I don’t want to see Jackson lose his beloved home but I will say this: Jackson needs to make good on his financial responsibilities. Hell, he needs to do what regular people do when times are hard. Start hustling! If that means selling bootleg copies of “Off The Wall” out of the trunk of his Bentley Continental then so be it.

Oneika Richardson can be reached at [email protected]