Michael Stevens
Michael Jackson Befriended a Teenager the World Was Afraid Of. Then He Wrote Him a Song
When a frightened country shunned teenager Ryan White over AIDS, Michael Jackson befriended him, took him to Neverland, and later wrote Gone Too Soon in his memory.
A Sick Little Girl’s Class Wrote to Michael Jackson in Crayon. He Wrote Back Himself
When a Maine girl named Mallory Cyr was battling a rare illness, her classmates wrote to Michael Jackson in crayon. He replied personally, with a letter and a quiet donation.
Everyone Says Michael Jackson Abandoned Bubbles. The Truth Is the Opposite
The myth says Michael Jackson dumped his chimp Bubbles. The truth: Bubbles is alive at 43, painting in a Florida sanctuary, with the estate still paying for his care.
Michael Jackson Was a Multimillionaire. His Kids Still Had to Earn Their Toys the Hard Way
Michael Jackson could have bought his children anything. Instead, Paris Jackson says, five toys meant reading five books first. He wanted them to earn things, not feel entitled.
On 9/11, Michael Jackson’s First Thought Was the Fans Stranded Far From Home
Fans who were there say that on 9/11, after getting his children to safety, Michael Jackson told his team not to abandon the foreign fans stranded in New York with no way home.
Michael Jackson Was Honored at the White House by Two Different Presidents, Six Years Apart
Reagan welcomed Michael Jackson to the White House in 1984 for his anti-drunk-driving work, and in 1990 Bush named him Artist of the Decade. Two presidents, six years apart.
Michael Jackson Was 25 and the Biggest Star Alive. He Still Couldn’t Tell His Own Father to Leave
On the 1983 Thriller set, Michael Jackson asked director John Landis to have his father Joe removed, because at 25 and the biggest star on earth, he couldn't say it himself.
Michael Jackson’s Most Iconic Dance Wasn’t His Own Idea. It Was a Love Letter to His Hero
The Smooth Criminal white suit and lean were Michael Jackson's tribute to Fred Astaire's 1953 Girl Hunt Ballet. Astaire even called him after Motown 25 to praise him.
Half a Billion People Watched Michael Jackson’s ‘Black or White’ at the Same Moment. No Internet Needed
On November 14, 1991, Michael Jackson's Black or White premiered to an estimated 500 million people at once. Guinness still lists it as the biggest music video premiere ever.
A Stunt Nearly Dropped Michael Jackson Above a Stage. He Didn’t Blame a Single Soul
As the story goes, a stage rig left Michael Jackson dangling in mid-air, and he stayed calm and blamed no one. His longtime guitarist backs up that picture of a steady, kind boss.