Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, was not just a musical icon; he was a cultural phenomenon whose influence transcended music, fashion, and entertainment. Throughout his illustrious career, Jackson achieved remarkable feats and led a life full of fascinating stories that most people may not know. Here are 30 mind-blowing facts about Michael Jackson that might surprise you.
1. Charitable Donations from the Dangerous Tour
Michael Jackson’s Dangerous tour earned over $100 million, and he donated every single penny to charity. His generosity helped provide food, water, and medicines to thousands of underprivileged children around the world.
2. The Thriller Music Video Dog Howl
In the Thriller music video, a dog was supposed to howl, but when it refused to cooperate, Jackson recorded his own howl, adding a personal touch to the iconic video.
3. Revenge on Eminem
In 2005, when Eminem dissed Michael Jackson in a song, Jackson didn’t retaliate with words. Instead, he bought Eminem’s entire catalog, ensuring he got paid whenever Eminem performed.
4. Inspiration for “The Way You Make Me Feel”
The song was a request from Jackson’s mother, who asked him to write a track with a shuffling rhythm. Originally titled “Hot Fever,” it became one of his most iconic hits.
5. Michael Jackson Owned the Original Scissorhands
Jackson was the proud owner of Johnny Depp’s original Edward Scissorhands costume, which was auctioned off in April 2009.
6. Auditioning for Professor X
Before the X-Men movie was made, Michael Jackson actually auditioned for the role of Professor X, the leader of the X-Men, a role that eventually went to Patrick Stewart.
7. Guinness World Record for TV Audience
Michael Jackson set a Guinness World Record for the largest TV audience for a music video premiere. The Black or White premiere in 1991 reached 500 million viewers in 27 countries.
8. History Tour Suit Inspiration
Jackson’s suit for his History tour was inspired by the work of artist Hajime Sorayama, known for his erotic portrayals of feminine robots.
9. Victory Tour Charity
During the 1984 Victory tour, Jackson pledged all his earnings—75 million dollars at the time (now equivalent to over $200 million)—to charity.
10. Bon Jovi and Bubbles
While staying at the same hotel as Bon Jovi, Jackson declined their invitation to party but sent his pet chimpanzee, Bubbles, to join them instead.
11. Michael Jackson Loved to Draw
Jackson was a talented artist and drew many sketches, including one of Mickey Mouse dressed as him for the Bad album cover. The artwork was later included in The Art of Mickey Mouse book.
12. Disguising to Give Back
Michael often disguised himself and went out at night to give hundreds of dollars to homeless people, anonymously supporting those in need.
13. King of the Sandwich
In 1992, Jackson was crowned the “King of the Sandwich” in Ivory Coast, acknowledging his ancestral roots and his cultural impact.
14. Invincible Was the Most Expensive Album
Michael Jackson’s album Invincible holds the title of the most expensive album ever produced, costing over $30 million to make.
15. Signed Hats for Fans
During concerts, Jackson would throw hats into the audience with the message “I love you,” and often signed them, making them special keepsakes for lucky fans.
16. Guinness World Record for Philanthropy
In 2000, the Guinness Book of World Records listed Jackson as the most philanthropic pop star ever, donating over $300 million to various causes throughout his lifetime.
17. Affordable Ticket Prices for Fans
During his History tour, Jackson insisted on keeping ticket prices low, with most tickets priced at just $14.50 to ensure his fans could afford to attend.
18. 4.8 Billion Fans Worldwide
With over 4.8 billion fans globally, Michael Jackson is recognized as the most famous person in the world, more famous than anyone else by a wide margin.
19. Iconic Clothing and Lyrics
Jackson’s clothing was often a reflection of his lyrics and music videos, contributing to the overall impact of his performances and music.
20. Recognized by 95% of the World
According to Guinness World Records, more than 95% of the world’s population knows who Michael Jackson is, a staggering statistic that highlights his global influence.
21. Innocent in 2005 Trial
In 2005, Jackson was acquitted of all 14 charges of child molestation. After extensive FBI investigations, nothing was found to suggest he was guilty of any crimes.
22. Hair Fire Incident and Donation
After his hair caught on fire during a Pepsi commercial, Jackson didn’t sue the company. Instead, Pepsi gave him $1.5 million, which he donated to the Michael Jackson Burn Center.
23. Michael’s Skin Condition
Contrary to popular belief, Jackson didn’t change his skin color out of self-hate. He suffered from vitiligo, a condition that causes depigmentation, and he used makeup to even out his skin tone.
24. 1993 Super Bowl Halftime Performance
Michael Jackson’s performance during the 1993 Super Bowl halftime show changed the format forever. His performance was watched by 133 million viewers worldwide and is considered the best halftime show of all time.
25. Thriller Breaks World Records
Thriller holds the Guinness World Record for the biggest-selling album of all time, with over 104 million copies sold and remaining in the Billboard 200 top 10 for 80 consecutive weeks.
26. Internet Crashes After His Death
Following Jackson’s death, internet searches for his name were so high that Google temporarily blocked searches, and Twitter, Wikipedia, and AOL all crashed due to overwhelming traffic.
27. Composing Without Instruments
Jackson was a master composer despite not playing any instruments. He used his voice to create the elements of a song, and musicians would match their instruments to his voice.
28. Presidential Honors
Jackson received three presidential awards. President Ronald Reagan awarded him for his charity work, while Presidents George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton also recognized his contributions to the arts and society.
29. Bad World Tour
The Bad World Tour, which took place from 1987 to 1989, became the highest-grossing tour ever at the time, earning over $125 million, setting a record that stood for years.
30. Swarovski Crystal Outfit
Jackson’s iconic outfit for Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ was made of 300,000 Swarovski crystals, making it one of the most dazzling and memorable outfits in pop music history.
Michael Jackson’s legacy is one of unparalleled talent, passion, and generosity. His contributions to music and society continue to inspire millions worldwide, and these 30 facts only begin to scratch the surface of his remarkable life. From groundbreaking performances to his philanthropic efforts, Jackson remains an enduring cultural figure whose impact will never be forgotten.
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