Michael Jackson’s private world often revealed quirks that stood far apart from the polished image of the King of Pop. One of the most telling involved his preference for a simple mattress laid out on the floor rather than a traditional bed. He explained the choice by saying it made him feel closer to the … Read more
It sounds like something invented for a science-fiction movie, but designers once developed plans for a 50-foot robotic Michael Jackson as part of proposals surrounding a Las Vegas comeback. The enormous figure was supposed to appear in the Nevada desert, where people flying into the city could spot it from their planes. Even stranger, reports … Read more
In 1989 Michael Jackson released the short film for “Liberian Girl” from the Bad album. At first glance it looks like a simple gathering of A-list friends waiting for the King of Pop to arrive on set. Steven Spielberg, John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John, Whoopi Goldberg, Quincy Jones, Paula Abdul, Danny Glover, Dan Aykroyd, David Copperfield … Read more
Years before the finished short film reached audiences Michael Jackson was developing a horror project tied directly to Addams Family Values. He wanted something genuinely frightening and reached out to Stephen King. Original director Mick Garris later explained that the early concept was meant to accompany a song Michael was writing for the movie’s end … Read more
In 2006, Michael Jackson arrived in Ireland with his three children, Prince, Paris and Blanket, searching for privacy after one of the most turbulent periods of his life. Yet according to biographer Randall Sullivan, Jackson was looking for something else too. He reportedly told his children to keep their eyes open for leprechauns because he … Read more
At fifteen Michael Jackson already carried the weight of global fame as the young star of the Jackson 5. According to accounts in Randall Sullivan’s book Untouchable drawing from sister Rebbie Jackson and other family reports a male relative arranged for two adult sex workers to take his virginity. He was locked in a hotel … Read more
Michael Jackson was already one of the world’s biggest entertainers when he made an extraordinary purchase in 1999. By telephone, he bid on the Best Picture Oscar awarded to producer David O. Selznick for Gone With the Wind and paid about $1.54 million. The price stunned the auction world. Years later, the story became stranger … Read more
Michael Jackson’s forward lean in “Smooth Criminal” looked too perfect to survive outside a carefully controlled music video. Yet the move later became the subject of a real United States patent carrying his name. The document did more than protect a famous stage secret. Buried inside it was an unexpected connection to footwear designed for … Read more
Michael Jackson had already conquered music when one of the biggest business opportunities of his life appeared. The ATV Music catalogue included publishing rights to many Beatles songs, yet the asking price kept climbing past $40 million. Several experienced advisers believed the singer was taking an enormous risk and urged his team to stop before … Read more
For years, one of the strangest stories about Michael Jackson was treated as a ridiculous tabloid invention. Reports claimed the world-famous singer wanted to buy the remains of Joseph Merrick, the Victorian man known as the Elephant Man. Yet a 1987 news report quoted Jackson’s own manager confirming that an offer existed and had just … Read more