Michael Jackson, known as the King of Pop, died suddenly on June 25, 2009. One year later, fans around the world still grieve for the legendary entertainer.. Oprah Winfrey aired a show in remembrance of Michael Jackson on June 24, 2010, one year after the pop star's death. Oprah featured an interview that she conducted of Jackson at Neverland Ranch on February 10, 1993, along with her comments and thoughts about the interview.
Michael Jackson was an international superstar, an entertainer since childhood, when he burst into stardom in the Jackson 5. He had reached the lofty heights of super stardom, but hit the depths of humiliation when he was accused of child molestation at Neverland Ranch.
Oprah Interviews Michael Jackson at Neverland Ranch
When Oprah went to Neverland in 1993, she said it was like going to see the Wizard of Oz. 'We are coming in the gates of Neverland, and it's like a moment in The Wizard of Oz. It was literally like going to see the wizard. We couldn't believe it. I felt like a kid.'
At the time, Jackson had not given an interview in 14 years. The pop star was at the height of his stardom. In 1993 he had not yet been accused of molestation and he was living at Neverland Ranch, the magical home that he loved.
The interview aired live and drew an audience of 90 million people, making it the most watched interview in television history. In the interview, Jackson talked about the skin disease vitiligo, plastic surgery, girlfriends, his father's abuse, children, the Moonwalk and more.
At the time, curiosity about Jackson's skin color was high. There was speculation that he was bleaching his skin because he didn't like his color. Jackson had a skin condition that caused his skin to lose pigment, but people did not understand about the disease. Oprah commented that Jackson's skin was almost translucent.
It was in the Oprah interview that Jackson revealed that his father, Joe Jackson, had beat him as a child. Joe Jackson denies that he beat his son.
Jackson on Love and Friendship
Oprah asked Jackson if he was a virgin. He laughed shyly and coyly said he was a gentleman and that the subject was personal
When Oprah asked Jackson if he had a girlfriend, he replied that his girlfriend was Brooke Shields. Two years later he married Lisa Marie Presley, a marriage that lasted two years. Later he married Debbie Rowe, a marriage that ended in divorce but produced two of his three children.
Jackson's friend Liz Taylor showed up and surprised him during the interview. Michael Jackson and the glamorous Liz Taylor had been close friends. The friendship may have seemed like a mismatch, but Taylor explained that they had a lot in common, including being child stars and experiencing abuse in childhood. Elizabeth Taylor Hollywood Movie Star and Celebrity
Oprah Comments on the Jackson Interview
On the Oprah Winfrey Show that aired on June 24, 2010 Oprah reflected on the 1993 interview. She critiqued herself and pointed out some things that she could have improved upon. One of her self critiques was not letting Michael say what he wanted to be remembered for when he misunderstood a question. She now says that she wishes that she would have let him finish that thought. Oprah said, that like Micheal Jackson's fans, that she never would have believed he would be gone so soon.
Oprah commented that in watching the interview, she now realizes how lonely Jackson was, although she was not conscious of it at the time.
Oprah concluded the tribute by saying, 'What I remember about Michael the most is that he was a person who was passionate about life, He was really passionate about his work..and (passionate about) his desire to try to be a good force in the world.'
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