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 and many others appear, chatting, joking and wondering where Michael is.
The waiting was the video. Director Jim Yukich pitched the concept that Michael would invite his celebrity friends to participate without explaining the full idea. The stars showed up believing they were about to film a conventional music video. Cameras captured their real conversations, improvised moments and mild confusion while the song played softly in the background. Some sang along. Others simply milled about. At the end Michael descends from a camera crane laughing and announces “Okay everyone, that’s a wrap,” revealing he had been directing and filming them the entire time.
Michael Jackson – Liberian Girl (Official Video)
The production was shot over two days at A&M Studios in Los Angeles. Comedy writers supplied light dialogue prompts but much of the charm comes from the genuine interactions. John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John even shared a brief on-screen moment together for the first time since Grease. Bubbles the chimpanzee makes an appearance. A mysterious figure wrapped in bandages is credited only with a question mark.
The video remains a fascinating snapshot of late-1980s Hollywood star power and Michael’s unmatched ability to gather that many famous faces with a simple invitation. It is less a traditional performance clip and more a playful demonstration of his cultural reach. Viewers still enjoy spotting every familiar face while the song’s soft African-inspired groove plays underneath.
Watch the official video above and see how many of the cameos you can name. It is one of the most star-studded and cleverly conceived short films of Michael Jackson’s career.