Even more than a decade after his death in 2009, Michael Jackson remains one of the most intriguing figures in music history. The King of Pop continues to fascinate fans with the secrets, facts, and stories that keep surfacing about his remarkable life. Here are ten lesser-known facts that might surprise even his most devoted followers.

1. A Passionate Reader With Overdue Books

Michael Jackson had a deep love for reading. He was known to collect books from various genres and subjects. However, he wasn’t always punctual about returning them. At one point, he reportedly owed a library nearly a million dollars in late fees. The library offered to forgive the debt if he returned the overdue books, especially if they came back with his autograph.

2. Sonic the Hedgehog and the King of Pop

Michael Jackson was briefly involved in composing music for Sonic the Hedgehog 3, a game released for the Sega Genesis. His touring keyboardist, Brad Buxer, confirmed Jackson’s involvement after his passing. Although Jackson eventually pulled out of the project, his musical influence remained. An early version of his track “Stranger in Moscow” shares similarities with the game’s soundtrack.

3. Michael Jackson Postage Stamps

In 1985, the Caribbean nation of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines became the first country to release a series of postage stamps featuring Michael Jackson. These rare collectibles have since become prized by philatelists around the world and mark another unusual way the King of Pop was immortalized.

4. Michael Jackson’s X-Men Dreams

A devoted fan of film and sci-fi, Jackson once tried to land the role of Professor X in the X-Men film franchise in the late 1990s. Screenwriter David Hayter revealed that Jackson even auditioned for the role. There’s footage of Jackson meeting comic book legend Stan Lee during this time. Interestingly, his sister, Janet Jackson, was also considered for the role of Storm, which ultimately went to Halle Berry.

5. The Vegas Comeback That Never Happened

Before his planned This Is It tour, Jackson had dreams of a Las Vegas residency in 2005. His vision included color-changing solar-powered costumes and a towering 50-foot robot version of himself roaming the Nevada desert. There were also plans for a Michael Jackson-themed hotel and casino. However, the ambitious project never materialized due to funding issues.

6. Two Stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Michael Jackson is one of the few entertainers to have two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame — one for himself as a solo artist and another as a member of The Jackson 5. His solo star was awarded in 1984 in a grand ceremony attended by thousands of fans. The star has since been repaired after suffering minor damage, ensuring it remains a cherished landmark for visitors.

7. The Internet Crash Heard Around the World

When Michael Jackson passed away on June 25, 2009, the internet nearly collapsed. Sites like Twitter, Wikipedia, and AOL were temporarily knocked offline due to the surge in traffic. Google even thought it was under a cyberattack due to the volume of search queries. Wikipedia recorded nearly one million visits to Jackson’s biography within one hour — a record-breaking number at the time.

8. A Controversial Friendship and Legal Battle

After his divorce from Debbie Rowe in 1999, Rowe later became engaged to Mark Schaffel, a former porn producer and one-time associate of Jackson. Their professional relationship was rocky, involving lawsuits over unpaid work and countersuits from Jackson’s side. Despite the legal drama, Rowe and Schaffel maintained a personal relationship and eventually got engaged.

9. An Escape Plan to Bahrain

During his 2005 trial, Jackson’s brother Jermaine revealed that the family had prepared a private jet to fly Michael to Bahrain in case of conviction. Bahrain had no extradition treaty with the U.S., making it a potential refuge. Interestingly, Michael himself was reportedly unaware of the escape plan.

10. Vitiligo in the Jackson Family

Michael Jackson’s changing skin tone over the years sparked much speculation. He eventually revealed he had vitiligo, a claim later confirmed by his autopsy. The skin condition, which causes depigmentation in patches, runs in his family. Both his grandfather and his eldest son, Prince Michael, are believed to have inherited the condition. Photographs of young Michael with his grandfather show visible signs of vitiligo, offering further proof of its genetic origin.