To the outside world, it looks like a happy celebration. Michael Jackson is getting ready for his massive “This Is It” comeback tour. But inside those walls, the tension is very heavy. Michael looks incredibly fragile. He looks like a beautiful porcelain doll that has been broken and glued back together too many times.
His older brother, Jermaine, watches him closely.
For decades, wild rumors surrounded these two famous brothers. People constantly whispered that Jermaine was deeply, bitterly jealous of Michael. They started side-by-side in the Jackson 5. But when Michael became the ultimate, untouchable King of Pop, Jermaine was left standing in his giant shadow.
Did the heavy jealousy ruin their deep bond?
Fight For The Spotlight? Michael & Jermaine Inside the Jackson 5 | the detail.
It is true that the massive fame caused heavy friction. They had their angry fights over the years. The media loved to pit them against each other.
But underneath the shiny awards and the loud gossip, they were just two young boys from Gary, Indiana. They shared a pure, unbreakable brotherly love that the flashing cameras could never truly capture.
On this quiet night in 2009, all the old fights completely melted away.
Jermaine looked at his little brother and whispered, “Michael, you’re too thin.”
Michael did not argue. Instead, he just started humming an old, beautiful melody from their childhood. Jermaine quickly joined in. Their voices locked into a perfect, ghostly harmony. For one brief, magical second, the years of lawsuits and nasty scandals just vanished.
Then, Michael looked at his older brother with sad, tired eyes. He was completely terrified of his upcoming London concerts.
“Fifty shows, Jermaine,” Michael said softly. “Fifty. I have to give them what they deserve. I have to make them happy.”
Then, as Michael turned to leave the house, he gave his brother one final promise. He simply said, “See you at the O2.”
Jermaine Jackson – Smile (Live Performance at Michael Jackson Memorial)
He never made it to the giant O2 arena. On June 25, 2009, the entire world stopped turning.
Jermaine got the absolute worst phone call of his life. He rushed through the screaming crowds to the hospital. He stood over his brother’s breathless body. He kissed his soft forehead and cried bitter, heavy tears. He looked at his little brother and whispered into the silence, “Why did you go? Why did you leave me?” The beautiful harmony was finally over.
Fame and money can easily build heavy walls between the people who love each other the most. Rivalry and jealousy are very real, normal human emotions. But when the bright stage lights finally go dark, the only thing that truly matters is family. Forgive your siblings, forget the silly rivalries, and always sing the sweet harmony together while you still have the time.