The Rise and Fall of Michael Jackson’s “Video Vixen” – The Untold Story of Tatiana Thumbtzen

In 1987, Tatiana Thumbtzen became a sudden household name as the sultry love interest in Michael Jackson’s music video for The Way You Make Me Feel. Handpicked by Jackson himself from over 200 women, Thumbtzen embodied everything the pop icon desired—slim, sensual, yet soft and innocent. But while their chemistry lit up the screen and thrilled fans around the world, behind the scenes lay a tangled web of affection, miscommunication, jealousy, and heartbreak that would ultimately cost Tatiana her career and emotional well-being.

Born in Clearwater, Florida, Tatiana moved to New York as a teenager to pursue ballet before switching to modeling. She struggled with rejection, often being told she wasn’t “black enough” or “white enough” for mainstream agencies. Eventually, she found success modeling in Japan, but her real breakthrough came when she auditioned—unknowingly—for a Michael Jackson video.

Tatiana’s first encounter with Jackson during rehearsals was dreamlike. The famously shy singer lit up when she performed and quickly told his team, “She’s the one. The rest are extras.” Over a five-day shoot, a genuine bond began to form. Jackson flirted, complimented her dancing, and showed uncharacteristic affection, even helping her out of a wardrobe mishap and playfully wiping her off after she fell. There were whispers among Jackson’s staff—and even from his own mother, Katherine—that the King of Pop had fallen in love.

Their connection deepened when Tatiana joined Jackson for select stops on his Bad World Tour. But things took a turn at Madison Square Garden in 1988. With growing romantic feelings and limited private time with Jackson, Tatiana impulsively kissed him onstage during a performance. The crowd went wild. The moment was electric—but it marked the beginning of her downfall.

While Michael appeared to enjoy the kiss, his entourage reacted with fury. At the hotel, one of his close friends allegedly berated her publicly. Backstage, she sensed immediate coldness from Jackson’s team. Though his mother greeted her warmly, his manager gave her an “evil look.” From that moment on, Tatiana found herself gradually pushed out of Jackson’s inner circle.

The final blow came when she appeared on The Tonight Show and coyly suggested something “might” be happening between her and Jackson. The statement was reportedly the last straw for his camp. She was removed from the tour without warning, replaced by Sheryl Crow. Michael never contacted her again.

Tatiana later fell into depression, suffering hair loss and severe emotional distress. “I felt like a doll they took out of a box only when they needed me,” she recalled. Offers dried up as casting agents saw her as just “that girl from the Michael Jackson video.” Worse, she claims she was paid a mere $5,000 for her work and received no royalties for the widespread use of her image.

In the years that followed, Tatiana tried to reconnect with the Jackson family. Katherine remained sympathetic and confirmed that her son had loved her. At one point, Tatiana even allowed Joe Jackson to manage her career in the hopes it might bring her closer to Michael, but it only fueled speculation about her intentions.

When Jackson faced child molestation allegations in 1993, Tatiana reappeared in the media—this time claiming she had a romantic relationship with him that lasted 18 months. Jackson’s father later dismissed her claims as opportunistic, stating she had “talked such nonsense.” Even Prince, who had a brief romantic link with Tatiana, confronted her for allegedly lying about Jackson for money.

Tatiana Thumbtzen never saw Michael again before his 2009 death. Yet, she attended his private funeral, still connected to his family and the memory of their shared moment in time. Despite all the pain and controversy, she remains a symbol of one of Jackson’s rare public expressions of romantic attraction.

Whatever truly happened between them, Tatiana was the first woman with whom Jackson kissed onstage—a groundbreaking moment that redefined his image and added a new layer of sensuality to his performance legacy. Their brief and complicated connection became part of pop culture history, preserved forever in one of the most iconic music videos of all time.