The Top Ten Michael Jackson Stories: Part 2

Article by Patrick Omari

Michael Jackson was in the public eye from a young age as a part of the Jackson 5, and like him the stories started very early on.

Story Number 1i: Neverland

Neverland Valley Ranch, is situated in Santa Barbara County, California and was the home of Michael Jackson from 1988-2005. Neverland was named so after the make-believe land in Peter Pan – a figure or idea that Michael was thought to have idolized. He turned Neverland into his home and a private amusement park. There was a zoo, theme park, two railroads, a ferris wheel, carousel, zipper, spider, sea dragon, wave swinger, super slide, dragon wagon kiddie roller coaster and bumper cars.

Michael Jackson’s Neverland, it was initally reported, would be turned into “Foreverland” a permanent memorial to the King of Pop – a bit like Presley’s Graceland – so that fans and tourists from all over the world could travel to see the singers former home and a glimpse into his life.

Story Number 2i: The changing faces of Michael Jackson

The story of Michael Jackson’s plastic surgery is no secret and it has been incredibly well documented by the media.

Initially, Michael’s changing appearance was put down to puberty and adolescence, and weight loss. Michael first started to become slimmer in the early 1980′s following his desire to have a ‘dancers body’. After accusations of child abuse in 1993 and 2005 MJ underwent massive weight loss and was hospitalized on more than one occasion. However, eventually the press cottoned onto the idea that it was more than natural growth that was changing the way that he looked.

By the mid-1980′s it was noticeable that Jackson’s skin was gradually getting lighter his nose and his chin were changing and the shape of his body had changed. Some professionals suggest that Michael suffered from ‘body dysmorphic disorder’ as a result of the verbal ‘bullying’ and abuse that he had suffered at the hands of his father.

In 1986 Jackson was reportedly diagnosed with Vitiligo and Lupus. Jackson’s make-up artist suggested that initially Jackson tried to cover the lighter patches of his skin with make-up but eventually the condition became too extensive. Gradually, as a result of the treatment his skin lightened even further until he looked almost porcelain white.

However, it was not only Michael’s skin that appeared to be changing, it was also the shape of his face. Apparently, by 1990 sources close to the singer suggested that he had had 10 operations on his face in total. Michael had his first rhinoplasty in 1979 after damaging his nose in a dance routine. In his Biography MJ suggested that he had had two bits of plastic surgery on his nose and one on his chin. Any other changes to his face Michael insisted were due to adolescence, change of diet, weight loss, a change of hair style and performance lighting that was used and not extensive surgery.

Story 3i: Earth Song

Earthsong was the third single from the album HIStory and it was released on November 27, 1995. Although Jackson had written other songs that dealt with different issues this was the first that specifially dealt with the environment and animal welfare- which is what made it such an interesting record. It supported Jackson’s work as a humanitarian which was first noticed with the release of “We are the World” with Lionel Richie in 1985 and with the initiation of the “Heal the World Foundation” in 1992. He received the Genesis award for the song in 1995 which was an award given each year for animal sensitivity.

The song received a Grammy nomination in 1997 and was a top five hit in most European countries, while in the UK it still remains Jackson’s best selling single, having sold over 1 million copies. It debuted at number one where it stayed for six weeks in December 1995.

Story 4i: Child Abuse Allegations

1993 was the first time that Michael Jackson was accused of child abuse by the father of 13-year-old Jordan Chandler. Evan Chandler, had supposedly administered Jordan with a powerful sedative and under this influence his son reportedly admitted that the star and he had engaged in sexual acts. Experts later said, that the drug used makes patients highly susceptible to suggestion. Apparently, Jordan’s mother did not believe Jackson had molested her son and further investigations into his home found no evidence to support a criminal filing. Jordan refused to testify against Jackson after he had received an out of court settlement of 22 million pounds, Michael justified the pay out saying “I didn’t want to do a long drawn-out thing”.

Jackson was again accused of child abuse later in 2005 by Gavin Arvizo, a 13-year-old cancer survivor who had become close friends of Jackson. In a documentary both Michael and Gavin had spoken about sharing a room and bed which Michael had described as a “beautiful, charming and sweet thing”.

MJ was branded a ‘serial child molester’ during the 16 week trial in 2005. Jackson was accused of four counts of molestation including molesting a minor, intoxicating a minor, abduction and kidnapping.

Further allegations were then brought up that proposed Jackson had been groping five other young boys in the 1990′s including Macaulay Culkin. However, Culkin defended Jackson on the stand denying all charges that were held against him.

The verdict of the case found Michael Jackson to be not guilty on all charges; after assessment the jurors had thought the brothers stories to ‘not add up’.

Story 5i: Death

On June 25 2009 at 2:26pm Michael Joseph Jackson was pronounced dead, after he was found in a coma at his Bel-Air mansion.

Exactly how Michael Jackson died and the circumstances in which he did are still unclear. Reportedly homicide investigations are being made into his death, although it is thought that at present there is no evidence of criminal wrong doing.

Several media sources have reported that Propofol, a powerful anesthesia, was found in Jackson’s house after he died. Apparently the drug is a prescription drug, only used in hospitals and administered by IV to send people to sleep before surgery. Several medical experts have suggested there was no reason for Jackson to have had this drug in his home; although he reportedly begged for such drugs to help him sleep having suffered chronic insomnia before his death.

Supposedly, a coroners report suggested that MJ was actually in surprisingly good health and despite scarring on his face, several injection sites all over his body and bruises on his chest (due to CPR) there seemed to be no signs of a heart attack but it looked more likely that drugs had caused the heart to stop beating or the lungs to stop breathing. However, reportedly, the coroners office has ordered more tests to determine the Jackson’s Cause of Death. The office won’t rule on his death until toxicology and other additional testing has been completed.

Sources suggest that a memorial service will be held for Michael Jackson on Tuesday at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles where he had been rehearsing for his O2 London concerts.

End:

There is no doubt that Michael Jackson was the King of Pop despite his controversial lifestyle and person. He, his music and performances will undoubtedly be remembered forever.

About the Author

Patrick is an expert Research and Travel consultant. His current interest is in BCP Airport Parking, Gatwick Airport Parking and Heathrow Parking