Sixteen years after the tragic death of Michael Jackson, a new memoir by his longtime friend and personal attorney, John Mason, offers an intimate and heart-wrenching look into the King of Pop’s final days.

In Crazy Lucky: Remarkable Stories from Inside the World of Celebrity Icons, Mason provides a personal account of Jackson’s struggles leading up to his death, shedding light on the pressures and challenges he faced during the preparation for his ill-fated This Is It concert series.

In 2009, Jackson was preparing for what was supposed to be a triumphant return to the stage. At 50, the singer was gearing up for a series of concerts set to begin in July, which would run through March 2010. However, just one month before the first show, Jackson tragically passed away, leaving fans and loved ones devastated.

Mason recalls receiving a call in 2009, telling him that Jackson was in “really bad shape,” having collapsed on stage during rehearsals for This Is It. Yet, despite his frailty, Jackson insisted on returning to work the very next day, displaying his relentless drive.

Behind the scenes, Jackson was battling severe insomnia, a condition that would ultimately take a tragic toll. Mason reveals that concert promoter AEG brought in Dr. Conrad Murray to manage Jackson’s sleep issues. Unfortunately, Dr.Murray began administering nightly doses of propofol, a powerful anesthetic, to help Jackson sleep, despite its dangers. In a haunting admission, Jackson’s last words to Mason reflected his overwhelming fear of failure: “I can’t function if I don’t sleep. They’ll have to cancel it. And I don’t want them to cancel it.”

The decision to use propofol was disastrous. Dr. Murray, who was later convicted of involuntary manslaughter in connection with Jackson’s death, continued administering the drug, which ultimately led to Jackson’s fatal cardiac arrest on June 25, 2009.

The combination of sedatives and propofol proved fatal, marking the end of an era for one of the most iconic entertainers in history.

Mason’s memoir also touches on Jackson’s financial troubles during his final months. Despite his legendary career, Jackson was nearing bankruptcy and faced the possibility of losing his beloved Neverland Ranch.

The medications, Mason notes, were intended to help Jackson rest so he could continue performing, but they tragically led to his death instead.

Jackson’s death continues to be surrounded by speculation and sorrow. Mason’s account of the star’s final days paints a painful picture of the immense pressures Jackson was under to continue performing, despite his deteriorating health.

It serves as a sobering reminder of the hidden struggles faced by those in the limelight, often masked by the glittering facade of fame.