Michael In The Mirror (USA Today, 2001) USA Today, November 2001 By Edna Gundersonn
BEVERLY HILLS — The first words from Michael Jackson seem to portend a
candid dialogue. "Excuse my skin," he says. "I just came from the dermatologist. So
pretend you don't see it." That instruction is tough to obey when dealing with the most
scrutinized figure in entertainment, especially one whose many eccentricities include
donning disguises in public and heavy cosmetics for the camera. While Jackson is
sporting little literal makeup today, figuratively the mask never drops completely.
What was billed as a no-holds-barred interview at times entails jousting with two
fiercely protective handlers determined to keep the focus on Jackson's artistry, despite
earlier assurances by an Epic Records publicist of unfettered access. All topics were
declared fair game except "the pedophilia issue." The settlement of a 1993 suit against
Jackson, alleging sexual abuse of a 13-year-old boy, forbids parties to discuss details.
Jackson vehemently denied allegations at the time and has not addressed it since.
The subject is never broached during this hour-long interview. Less scandalous
matters — his ex-wives, his plastic surgery odyssey, even concerns he's discussed in
the past — are deemed off limits as they arise.
One roadblock is hit after Jackson waxes nostalgic about famous friends. "Frank
Sinatra lived right above us. He'd see us playing basketball every day. And Fred
Astaire lived around the bend. I would have a chance to talk to them and learn and
listen. Those were golden moments. When I was 16, we were doing Las Vegas every
night, and Elvis (Presley) and Sammy Davis Jr. would sit me and my brothers in a
row and lecture us. 'Don't ever do drugs,' they told us. I never forgot it."
Reminded of his own painkiller habit, Jackson goes quiet. Manager Trudy Green,
monitoring the interview with Epic executive Steve Einczig, forbids him to respond,
even though he confessed the addiction and subsequent treatment in a TV statement
nearly a decade ago.
She interrupts again when talk steers to Debbie Rowe, who bore Jackson two children
during a marriage from 1996 to 1999. He appears to have sole custody of Prince, 4,
and Paris, 3, his constant companions. Asked to comment on persistent rumors that
the marriage was arranged to provide offspring, Jackson falls silent.
"No, no, no!" Green protests. "This isn't what we're here for."
A second stab: Do the kids spend time with their mother?
"He doesn't want to talk about that," Green interjects. "This is about Michael as an
entertainer."
Granted, the entertainer often is overlooked in the cultural obsession with Jackson's
offstage life. If he agrees to dwell on personal areas, Jackson laments, "that will
become the whole story."
Fair enough. Jackson's professional accomplishments during his 38 years in show
business merit notice, to say the least. He's sold 65 million albums in the USA, racked
up 44 solo hit singles and still holds title to history's best-selling album, 1982's
Thriller, the global champ with 26 million copies.
Invincible, released Oct 30, entered Billboard at No. 1 with sales of 366,000 copies,
about 25,000 shy of 1995's HIStory. The album spawned radio hits You Rock My
World and Butterflies but fell out of the top 10 after four weeks despite a selfpromotion
flurry capped by the Nov. 13 airing of Michael Jackson: 30th Anniversary
Special. The two-hour CBS special, culled from a pair of New York concerts toasting
his three decades as a solo artist, reached 25.6 million viewers, proof aplenty that
Jackson remains an object of fascination.
Today is no exception. Onlookers at the Beverly Hills Hotel strain to glimpse Jackson
as a path is cleared and he's swiftly ushered into a bungalow, his face concealed under
a hat, sunglasses and black surgical mask. He spends 40 minutes "settling in," as
Green puts it.
Finally prepared for an audience, Jackson greets his visitor with a handshake, a shy
smile and the odd comment about his complexion. The makeup seems confined to his
cheeks and jaw line. His eyebrows are darkened and groomed; the deep brown eyelids
could be eye shadow or vestiges of his original skin tone. Vitiligo, an autoimmune
disorder characterized by loss of skin pigment, has left much of his face and hands
pale. His tiny nose is bandaged. He offers no explanation, and questions later about
his skin condition are summarily shot down by Green.
Tall and slender, Jackson wears a brown leather jacket, red shirt, pinstripe trousers
and his signature white socks with black loafers. Prince, his dark hair bleached blond,
is clad in similar footwear and a kiddie police uniform, complete with plastic
handcuffs hanging from a belt loop.
"These keys work!" he announces before returning to his drawings at a nearby table.
Seated in an upholstered chair in the softly lighted suite, Jackson appears relaxed and
poised, if a tad weary. He is generous in praising peers. He's flattered by copycats and
loves Alien Ant Farm's cover of Smooth Criminal, including the video send up of
Jackson's quirks. His eyes light up at talk of upcoming movie projects, especially
plans to co-direct a film with director/actor Bryan Michael Stoller in May. He laughs
about his earthquake phobia, turns glum when reflecting on a domineering father and
gives weight to theories of his eternal boyhood in enthusiastic chatter about toys and
theme parks.
Jackson radiates unshakable self-confidence about his musical skills and flashes
irritation only when pressed about the press. A rare interview subject, he agreed to
this encounter in hopes of emphasizing a message that's frequently obscured by
gossip.
"All I'm saying is heal the world, save our children," he says.
Jackson aggressively courts media attention, yet remains frustrated by the level of
scorn and speculation directed at him. It's a pet peeve that gets a rise out of the usually
soft-spoken star.
"The guy who hits the most home runs is always the target," he complains. "It's
human nature."
As he did in Leave Me Alone and Tabloid Junkie, Jackson condemns the prying press
in Invincible track Privacy: "You keep on stalking me, invading my privacy. ... Stop
maliciously attacking my integrity."
Flanked by chaperones, Jackson faces interrogation with genial resignation and no
hint of butterflies.
Q: How do you respond to inaccurate articles about you?
A: I don't pay any attention. The fans know the tabloid garbage is crap. They always
say to me, "Let's have a tabloid-burning." It's terrible to try to assassinate one's
character. I've had people come to me, and after meeting me, they start crying. I say,
"Why are you crying?" They say, "Because I thought you would be stuck up, but
you're the nicest person." I say, "Who gave you this judgment?" They tell me they
read it. I tell them, "Don't you believe what you read."
Q: Do these rumors persist because you don't refute them?
A: No. I've done so much in the past. I did the most watched TV interview in history
with Oprah Winfrey (in 1993). But (the media) tend to want to twist what you say and
judge you. I want to keep it on the music and the art. I think about some of my
favorite people who ever lived. If I could stand face to face with Walt Disney or
Michelangelo, would I care what they do in their private life? I want to know about
their art. I'm a fan.
Q: How do you shield yourself from being hurt by criticism?
A: Expecting it, knowing it's going to happen and being invincible, being what I was
always taught to be. You stand strong with an iron fist, no matter what the situation."
Q: Critics refer to you as the self-proclaimed King of Pop. Did you choose that title?
A: I never self-proclaimed myself to be anything. If I called up Elizabeth Taylor right
now, she would tell you that she coined the phrase. She was introducing me, I think at
the American Music Awards, and said in her own words — it wasn't in the script —
"I'm a personal fan, and in my opinion he is the king of pop, rock and soul." Then the
press started saying "King of Pop" and the fans started. This self-proclaimed garbage,
I don't know who said that.
Q: The New York concerts marked your first U.S. shows in 12 years. Were you
nervous?
A: No. It was an honor to be back with my brothers again. The producer wanted a
cavalcade of luminaries from different fields of endeavor. It was a great honor to have
them salute me. It was heartwarming, a happy, fun occasion.
Q: Would you consider another tour with your brothers?
A: I don't think so. I would definitely do an album with them, but not a tour. They
would love to tour. But I want to move on to other things. Physically, touring takes a
lot out of you. When I'm on stage, it's like a two-hour marathon. I weigh myself
before and after each show, and I lose a good 10 pounds. Sweat is all over the stage.
Then you get to your hotel and your adrenaline is at its zenith and you can't fall
asleep. And you've got a show the next day. It's tough.
Q: If you don't tour, how will you satisfy public demand as well as your need to
perform?
A: I want to direct a special on myself and do songs that touch me. I want something
more intimate, from the soul and heart, with just one spotlight.
Q: How did you react when Invincible topped the chart here and in a dozen countries?
A: It was a lovely feeling. I cried happy tears to see all the love.
Q: Invincible was several years in the making. Does your perfectionism slow the
process?
A: It did take a while because I'm never happy with the songs. I'll write a bunch of
songs, throw them out, write some more. People say, "Are you crazy? That's got to go
on the album." But I'll say, "Is it better than this other one?" You only get 75 minutes
on a CD, and we push it to the limit.
Q: Did you approach Invincible with a single theme in mind?
A: I never think about themes. I let the music create itself. I like it to be a potpourri of
all kinds of sounds, all kinds of colors, something for everybody, from the farmer in
Ireland to the lady who scrubs toilets in Harlem.
Q: Has it become easier to write songs over time?
A: It's the most effortless thing in the world because you don't do anything. I hate to
say it like that, but it's the truth. The heavens drop it right into your lap, in its totality.
The real gems come that way. You can sit at the piano and say, "OK, I'm going to
write the greatest song ever written," and nothing. But you can be walking down the
street or showering or playing and, boom; it hits you in the head. I've written so many
like that. I'm playing a pinball machine, and I have to run upstairs and get my little
tape recorder and start dictating. I hear everything in its totality, what the strings are
going to do, what the bass is going to do, the harpsichord, everything.
Q: Is it difficult translating that sound to tape?
A: That's what's frustrating. In my head, it's completed, but I have to transplant that to
tape. It's like (Alfred) Hitchcock said, "The movie's finished." But he still has to start
directing it. The song is the same. You see it in its entirety and then you execute it.
Q: After such a long absence, did you have doubts about your current relevance?
A: Never. I have confidence in my abilities. I have real perseverance. Nothing can
stop me when I put my mind to it.
Q: After Sept. 11, you wrote a benefit song, What More Can I Give? What's the
status?
A: It's not finished. We're adding artists, and I'm getting myself satisfied with the
instrumentation.
Q: Is it your belief that music is a tool for healing?
A: It's a mantra that soothes the soul. It's therapeutic. It's something our body has to
have, like food. It's very important to understand the power of music. Whether you're
in an elevator or a department store, music affects the way you shop, the way you
treat your neighbor.
(Prince hands Jackson a drawing. "I appreciate it," Jackson says. "Do you have to go
to the bathroom?" Prince: "No.")
Q: Invincible hasn't enjoyed record-breaking sales. Does Thriller cast too big a
shadow?
A: Absolutely. It is tough because you're competing against yourself. Invincible is just
as good or better than Thriller, in my true, humble opinion. It has more to offer. Music
is what lives and lasts. Invincible has been a great success. When The Nutcracker
Suite was first introduced to the world, it totally bombed. What's important is how the
story ends.
(Prince surfaces again with another picture. "What did you promise me?" Jackson
asks. "To be quiet?" Prince responds, then retreats.)
Q: How has fatherhood changed you?
A: In a huge way. You have to value your time differently, no doubt about it. It's your
responsibility to make sure they're taken care of and raised properly with good
manners. But I refuse to let any of it get in the way of the music or the dance or the
performing. I have to play two different roles. I always wanted to have a big family,
ever since I was in school. I was always telling my father I would outdo him. He had
10 children. I would love to have like 11 or 12 myself.
Q: What have you taught your children?
A: I try to make sure they're respectful and honorable and kind to everybody. I tell
them, no matter what they do, work hard at it. What you want to do for a lifetime, be
the best at it.
(Prince is staring. "Stop looking at me," Jackson says, smiling.)
Q: And what have your kids taught you?
A: A lot. (Parenthood) reminds you to do what the Bible has always told us. When the
Apostles were arguing among themselves over who was the greatest in Jesus' eyes, he
said, "None of you," and called over a little boy and said, "until you humble yourself
like this child." It reminds you to be kind and humble and to see things through the
eyes of children with a childlike wonderment. I still have that. I'm still fascinated by
clouds and the sunset. I was making wishes on the rainbow yesterday. I saw the
meteor shower. I made a wish every time I saw a shooting star.
Q: What are your wishes?
A: Peace and love for the children. (Prince returns, gazing intently. "Stop that," says
Jackson, gently turning the boy's head away. "Can you be still?")
Q: You've said you plan to home-school your kids. Given your fame, how can you
provide a normal life for them?
A: You do the best you can. You don't isolate them from other children. There will be
other kids at the school (on his property). I let them go out in the world. But they can't
always go with me. We get mobbed and attacked. When we were in Africa, Prince
saw a mob attack in a huge shopping mall. People broke so much stuff, running and
screaming. My biggest fear is that fans will hurt themselves, and they do. I've seen
glass break, blood, ambulances.
Q: Are you resentful that stardom stole your childhood?
A: Yeah. It's not anger, it's pain. People see me at an amusement park or with other
kids having fun, and they don't stop and think, "He never had that chance when he
was little." I never had the chance to do the fun things kids do: sleepovers, parties,
trick-or-treat. There was no Christmas, no holiday celebrating. So now you try to
compensate for some of that loss.
Q: Have you made peace with your father?
A: It's much better. My father is a much nicer person now. I think he realizes his
children are everything. Without your family, you have nothing. He's a nice human
being. At one time, we'd be horrified if he just showed up. We were scared to death.
He turned out really well. I wish it wasn't so late.
Q: Did music offer an escape from childhood worries?
A: Of course. We sang constantly in the house. We sang group harmony while
washing dishes. We'd make up songs as we worked. That's what makes greatness.
You have to have that tragedy, that pain to pull from. That's what makes a clown
great. You can see he's hurting behind the masquerade. He's something else
externally. Chaplin did that so beautifully, better than anyone. I can play off those
moments, too. I've been through the fire many times.
(Prince is back. He leans against the chair to gawk at the king of pops. "Stop looking
at me," Jackson implores, clearly unnerved by the tyke's scrutiny. "You're not making
this easy." Both of them chuckle, and Jackson warns teasingly, "You may not get that
piece of candy.")
Q: Do your religious beliefs ever conflict with the sexy nature of your music or
dancing?
A: No. I sing about things that are loving, and if people interpret it as sexy, that's up to
them. I never use bad words like some of the rappers. I love and respect their work,
but I think I have too much respect for parents and mothers and elderly people. If I did
a song with bad words and saw an older lady in the audience, I'd cringe.
Q: But what about your trademark crotch-grabbing moves?
A: I started doing that with Bad. Martin Scorsese directed that short film in the
subways of New York. I let the music tell me what to do. I remember him saying,
"That was a great take! I want you to see it." So we pushed playback, and I went
aaaah! I didn't realize I was doing that. But then everyone else started doing that, and
Madonna, too. But it's not sexual at all.
Q: How are you spending your free time these days?
A: I like to do silly things — water-balloon fights, pie fights, egg fights. (Turning to
Prince) You got a good one coming! I don't think I'll ever grow out of that. At my
house, I built a water-balloon fort with two sides, a red team and a blue team. We
have cannons that shoot water 60 feet and slingshots that shoot the balloons. We got
bridges and places to hide. I just love it.
Q: After 38 years in show business, fans still mob you. Are you immune to adulation?
A: It's always a good feeling. I never take it for granted. I'm never puffed up with
pride or think I'm better than the next-door neighbor. To be loved is a wonderful
thing. That is the main reason I do this. I feel compelled to do it, to give people some
sense of escapism, a treat to the eye and the ear. I think it's the reason I'm here.
Q: Why do you think people are jealous?
A: If you look back in history, it's the same with anybody who's achieved wonderful
things. I know the Disney family well, and Walt's daughters used to tell me it was
difficult when they were in school. Kids would say, "I hate Walt Disney. He's not
even funny. We don't watch him." Charlie Chaplin's kids, who I know well, had to
take their children out of school. They were being teased: "Your grandfather is stupid.
He's not funny. We don't like him." He was a genius! So you have to deal with this
jealousy. They think they're hurting you. Nothing could hurt me. The bigger the star,
the larger the target. At least they're talking. When they stop talking, you have to
worry.
Q: How did you gear up for the physical demands of your special concerts (which
aired as a two-hour CBS special)? Do you exercise?
A: I hate exercise. I hate it so much. The only thing I do is dance. That's an exercise.
That's why I like some of the karate stuff or kung fu. It's all a dance. But sit-ups? I
hate it.
Q: Were you intimidated by and of the other superstars on the bill?
A: No. I enjoy watching performers. It's all school for me. I never stop learning. It
was really inspiring.
Q: Are you more enamored with modern music or vintage stuff?
A: I like the earlier stuff. It's more melodically conscious. Today people rely on a beat
or a rhythm, which is nice, but I said this time and time again, melody will always be
king. You have to hum it.
Q: You've teamed with a huge variety of musicians. What attracts you to a particular
collaborator?
A: If I see some potential in their ability as an artist or musician, I'll give them a hook
or a line or a phrase and see how they play it or execute it. Sometimes we go all day
and it's still not right.
Q: Did you learn that lesson from your parents?
A: Our parents taught us to always be respectful and, no matter what you do, to give it
everything you have. Be the best, not the second best.
Q: You are often pursued by mobs of fans. Are you ever scared for your own safety?
A: Never ever. I know exactly what to do when it gets really rough, how to just play
them. As long as they can see you, they're crazy, but you can put yourself in the eye
of the hurricane. If you duck and they can't see you, they calm down.
Q: Your inner circle seems to consist of very young friends and much older ones.
What connects you to people like Marlon Brando or Elizabeth Taylor?
A: We've had the same lives. They grew up in show business. We look at each other,
and it's like looking in a mirror. Elizabeth has this little girl inside of her who never
had a childhood. She was on the set every day. She loves playing with a new gadget
or toy, and she's totally awe-inspired by it. She's a wonderful human being. So is
Brando.
Q: What happened to your plans to build theme parks in Europe or Africa?
A: We're still working on a couple of projects. I can't say right now where. I love
theme parks. I love seeing children coming together, having a good time with their
parents. It's not like it used to be, when you put your kids on the merry-go-round and
sat on the bench eating peanuts. Now you enjoy it with them. It builds a unity to the
family.
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