Michael Jackson was famous before he was even a teenager, but being onstage did not make him confident about how he looked. His father, Joseph Jackson, was strict with the Jackson 5 and Michael later said Joseph also teased him about his appearance. One comment stayed with him for years. His father would tell him that his nose was too big.
Michael said the teasing became especially painful as he entered his teenage years. He also struggled with acne while millions of people already knew his face from television. In a later interview, Michael remembered going into his room and crying about his looks. The boy who looked fearless onstage was dealing with something very different once the cameras were gone.
Michael Jackson Talks About His Father Mocking His Appearance
Those childhood comments mattered because Michael’s appearance would later become one of the most discussed parts of his life. He grew into the biggest pop star in the world, but attention did not stay on his music. Newspapers and television shows began studying every change in his face. The boy teased about his nose was now being judged by millions of strangers.
In 1979, Michael broke his nose during a dance rehearsal and had surgery. He later said he had undergone two nose operations, while outside reports claimed there had been more work. As the years passed, his changing skin color created another wave of rumors. Many tabloids claimed Michael was changing it by choice. Michael finally addressed that directly in 1993.
Michael Jackson Explains His Skin Condition During the Oprah Interview
Speaking with Oprah Winfrey, Michael said he had vitiligo, a condition that causes skin to lose pigment. He denied trying to become white and said the rumors hurt him. Years later, medical findings confirmed that he had vitiligo. Some changes to Michael’s appearance were his own choices. Others had medical reasons. The two were often mixed together by the public.
Michael spent almost his whole life being watched. First, someone close to him made him question his face. Later, the entire world discussed it. Behind all the headlines was a child who had once said that comments about his looks made him want to hide. The world noticed Michael’s changing face, but his insecurity had started long before the world was watching. Follow Michael Jackson on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.