Chris Tucker was already a huge Michael Jackson fan long before the two became close friends.
That obsession even found its way into 2001’s Rush Hour 2.
During one of the movie’s funniest scenes, Tucker’s character Carter hears someone badly performing Michael’s “Don’t Stop ’Til You Get Enough.” Horrified, he takes over the microphone himself, starts singing and attempts Michael’s famous moves.
There was just one problem.
Chris kicked with the wrong leg.
And Michael noticed immediately.
Chris later told the story while appearing at Michael Jackson’s 30th Anniversary Celebration in 2001.
According to Tucker, Michael called him after watching Rush Hour 2 and quietly introduced himself on the phone.
Then came the criticism.
Michael told him he had seen the movie and pointed out that Chris was kicking with the wrong leg. Tucker joked that Michael was basically telling him to stop making him look bad.
The audience loved the story.
And Michael apparently found Chris just as funny in person.
Michael Jackson and Chris Tucker in “You Rock My World”
Chris appeared alongside Michael in the “You Rock My World” short film, providing much of the comedy in its opening scenes. Their friendship had developed by this period, and Tucker also appeared during Michael’s 30th Anniversary concerts at Madison Square Garden.
At the end of Michael’s live performance of “You Rock My World,” Chris and Usher joined him onstage.
Chris started imitating Michael again.
And, according to accounts of the moment, he deliberately kicked with the wrong leg once more.
Michael completely lost it.
He laughed so hard at Chris’s dancing that he ended up down on the stage while Tucker continued performing beside him.
The friendship went beyond jokes. Tucker told the Los Angeles Times that Michael was humble and gave him advice about staying creative and constantly reinventing himself. Tucker later remained close to Michael and even appeared in the “You Rock My World” video.
But the wrong-leg story remains one of their funniest moments.
Millions of people watched Chris Tucker imitate Michael Jackson and thought it was hilarious. Michael watched it and immediately noticed the one dance move Chris got wrong.