Michael Jackson. The very name creates a sway in the arms, a rhythm in the feet, and an involuntary whirl of the waist. The only way someone may not know him is if they spent decades living in a cave or are from outer space. Yet, this post is not about his fame or his worth. The world already knows that. This post is about something far more personal - discovering Michael Jackson only now, after watching the film Michael.
Growing up in a small town during the 1990s, I never truly had the chance to understand Michael Jackson as a person or as an artist. I knew he was famous. I knew he was incredibly rich. I knew about Neverland. I knew about the allegations, the court cases, and the endless media noise surrounding his life. Beyond the fact that he is one of most known pop icons wrapped always in controversies, I knew nothing.
As a child, all I really heard were songs like Beat It and Dangerous playing somewhere in the background while someone attempted to dance to them. I never understood why he was called the King of Pop. Interestingly, it was Elizabeth Taylor who famously addressed him as the “King of Pop” during an award ceremony, but honestly, the title feels too small for the phenomenon he became. He felt more like the Emperor of pop culture itself.
What I did not know was how deeply his music touched people across generations and countries. I did not know about the meaningful revolutionary music videos, the breathtaking performances, the impossible dance moves, the obsessive hard work, or the artistry behind every movement he made or the creative process or an interesting story behind every song he created. They were not just a bunch of rhymes. I knew nothing about the genius that shaped modern entertainment.
It was only after watching Michael, starring Jaafar Jackson, that I truly began discovering him.
I went to the film alone, and something about that experience stayed with me. Since then, I have fallen into a complete Michael Jackson spiral. I started researching him endlessly, watching interviews, revisiting performances, listening to albums, and reading about his life. I even searched for various book, to order and read more, because I suddenly felt there was still so much left to know about this man who seemed almost other-worldly.
