In 1992 basketball superstar Magic Johnson received a soft-spoken phone call from a man claiming to be Michael Jackson. Convinced one of his friends was pulling a prank, Magic hung up right away. When the caller rang back insisting it really was Michael Magic hung up a second time. Only after Michael’s brother Jackie called to confirm the truth did Magic realize he had twice rejected the King of Pop.
Michael wanted Magic to appear in his ambitious new short film for the song “Remember the Time.” After repeated apologies Magic accepted an invitation to Michael’s home that same evening. Expecting the famously slim singer to stick to a healthy meal Magic ordered grilled chicken and vegetables. Then he looked down the long dining table and saw Michael happily digging into Kentucky Fried Chicken.
Watch Michael Jackson’s “Remember the Time” Short Film
Magic was stunned. He shouted across the table asking if Michael really ate fried chicken then abandoned his healthy plate and joined him. The two stars sat together sharing food from the same bucket while talking about the video. It was an unexpectedly ordinary start to one of the most memorable celebrity appearances of Michael’s career.
Magic later appeared as the royal herald in the ancient Egyptian-themed short film alongside Eddie Murphy and Iman. The nine-minute production premiered in February 1992 and became one of Michael’s best-known short films. Millions watched the two famous men work together on an extravagant Hollywood set. Magic himself remembered something far more personal: accidentally hanging up on Michael Jackson twice visiting his home and discovering that the mysterious King of Pop was perfectly happy sharing a bucket of fried chicken.
Years later Magic has continued to share the full story of those first awkward phone calls and the unlikely dinner that followed. In a recent interview he walks through the entire sequence from the hang-ups to the KFC moment and the lasting friendship that grew out of it.
Magic Johnson on the Prank Calls That Led to a Lifelong Friendship with Michael Jackson
The clip captures Magic retelling the tale with the same mix of disbelief and warmth that still makes the anecdote land decades later. Hearing him describe the soft voice on the other end of the line, the second hang-up and the eventual bucket of chicken brings the whole evening to life again.
That simple shared meal and the short film that followed remain a reminder of Michael Jackson’s ability to connect across worlds. As the King of Pop he redefined the music video with ambitious productions like “Thriller” “Billie Jean” and “Remember the Time” while selling more than 400 million records worldwide and inspiring generations of artists, performers and fans. His blend of unmatched talent, creativity and unexpected humanity continues to draw new listeners every day.
If you have never watched the full Egyptian epic or heard Magic’s side of the story now is the perfect time. Hit play on both videos above then dive deeper into Michael’s catalog and rediscover why his music and vision still feel larger than life.