Michael Jackson hadn’t given a television interview in 14 years. When he finally sat down with Oprah Winfrey, the world tuned in expecting revelations. They got them — just not always the ones Oprah was fishing for.
Midway through the interview, after discussing his skin condition, his childhood, and his relationship with Brooke Shields, Oprah paused and said — and she later admitted this herself — “I’m going to ask you this even though it’s embarrassing for me to ask.”
THEN SHE ASKED MICHAEL JACKSON, IN FRONT OF 90 MILLION VIEWERS, WHETHER HE WAS A VIRGIN.
The Full 1993 Oprah Interview
Michael’s first response was “How could you ask that question?” Then he collected himself.
“I’m a gentleman,” he said. “That’s something that’s private. It shouldn’t be spoken about openly. YOU CAN CALL ME OLD-FASHIONED IF YOU WANT, BUT TO ME THAT’S VERY PERSONAL.”
He never answered the question directly. He didn’t need to.
But this directly depicts the show hosts’ audacity when they encounter Michael Jackson. Being a pop star allowed everyone to poke into his personal life without giving it a second thought. And apparently, ASKING PRIVATE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE STAR’S SEX LIFE AND VIRGINITY WAS NOT OFF-LIMITS EITHER.
Michael Reveals His Inner Thoughts About Dating.
That response told you more about who Michael Jackson was than any direct answer could have.
Here was the most famous person on the planet, a man who sold out stadiums on every continent, being asked something nobody would dare ask a regular person in a private conversation — and he handled it with complete composure and quiet dignity.
No outburst. No deflection. Just a firm, calm line drawn around what belonged to him.
Fame takes away almost every private thing in a person’s life, but Michael Jackson decided some things weren’t for sale.