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Caught on Tape: Michael Jackson's Troubled Life
Scandals dogged the King of Pop’s incredible career, from allegations that he sexually abused children to his increasingly bizarre appearance. Watch 10 memorable moments caught on tape.
The Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up
The most troubling aspect of Michael’s personal life was his relationship with children. His Neverland Ranch was a youthful utopia filled with toys and carnival rides, and young fans of the star were often invited over for sleepovers.
Jackson and Macaulay Culkin
Most prominent among his friendships with children was his close relationship to Home Alone star Macaulay Culkin. This footage shows Jackson and Culkin at Disney World in Orlando, Florida, in 1991.
Jackson and Emmanuel Lewis
This rare footage from the 1980s shows Jackson dancing with Webster star Emmanuel Lewis, another child actor with whom Jackson was close.
The Court Appearances
In 2005, Jackson was put on trial amid allegations he had sexually abused a 13-year-old boy who had stayed over at his Neverland Ranch. Jackson was found not guilty of all charges, but he did little to clear himself in the court of public opinion by showing up to court in pajamas, hidden beneath an umbrella meant to shield him from the California sun.
Dangling the Baby
In 2002, Jackson dangled his infant from the balcony of his third-floor hotel room, waving to the fans gathered below. Though the child was fine and the incident lasted only a few seconds, onlookers were shocked by the seemingly careless gesture.
Where It All Began?
In 1993, Michael sat down with Oprah for an interview that may have revealed the source of his problems: his troubled relationship with his father.
Every Boy Needs a Pet
This rare footage from a Japanese news program in 1987 shows Michael with his beloved chimpanzee, Bubbles. A constant companion to the singer for a period of time, the monkey proved to be a constant source of punchline fodder for comedians who delighted in making fun of the troubled singer.
Living With Michael Jackson
British journalist Martin Bashir documented life with Michael Jackson from 2002 to 2003. The footage become Living with Michael Jackson, a television special that showed the singer at home, with his bizarre art collections and mannerisms on full display.
The King of Pop (Briefly) Marries the King of Rock 'n' Roll’s Daughter
In 1994, Jackson married Lisa Marie Presley, daughter of Elvis. Their marriage lasted only two years, though the couple remained on good terms.
The Man of Many Faces
Though many of Jackson’s alleged troubles are the stuff of rumors and innuendo, one remained on vivid, undeniable display: his face, which became nearly unrecognizable after decades of intensive plastic surgery.
John Talks Joe
Lloyd Grove is editor at large for The Daily Beast. He is also a frequent contributor to New York magazine and was a contributing editor for Condé Nast Portfolio. He wrote a gossip column for the New York Daily News from 2003 to 2006. Prior to that, he wrote the Reliable Source column for the Washington Post, where he spent 23 years covering politics, the media, and other subjects.
Amateur Hour at the White House
Leslie H. Gelb, a former New York Times columnist and senior government official, is author of Power Rules: How Common Sense Can Rescue American Foreign Policy (HarperCollins 2009), a book that shows how to think about and use power in the 21st century. He is president emeritus of the Council on Foreign Relations.
Going Rogue: The Index
Christopher Buckley's books include Supreme Courtship, The White House Mess, Thank You for Smoking, Little Green Men, and Florence of Arabia. He was chief speechwriter for Vice President George H.W. Bush, and is editor-at-large of ForbesLife magazine. His new book is Losing Mum and Pup, a memoir. Buckley's Daily Beast column is the winner of an Online Journalism Award in the category of Online Commentary.
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Please, show me some tapes where Michael Jackson even hints at seductive behavior toward young children, please.
On the stage, Jackson was a great song and dance man in the style of Sammy Davis Jr., for anyone lucky enough to see have seen Sammy live.
Off the stage is a life of tawdry self-indulgence and irresponsible behavior that we see from celebrities every day. The man should have sought counseling and, most of all, he had a moral responsibility to his children and family.
It's no more complicated than that. He does not come close to Barack Obama, Michael Jordon and Tiger Woods let alone Jesse Owens, Arthur Ashe, Rosa Parks and all the unnamed African Americans who struggled in anonymity without the God-given gifts that Jackson had.
I never leave comments on the web because I know that it is an endless wrestling match between egos. Everyone has an opinion that conflicts with that of someone else, and no matter how lengthy and persuasive the argument, that will never change. I believe it is people like you, though, who are so sure that they have everything figured out, and whose shallow view of the world and total lack of compassion and empathy for other human beings, that nurture the kind of reality where a boy grows up thinking he is ugly, inside and out, because his own father told him so. When is the world going to realize that if a young child's parents suck, they are screwed for life? I bet you don't have kids, but if you did, they probably wouldn't like you anyway. It is not my intention to offend you, but to make you think about why you would write negative comments about a dead man you never met and you know nothing about. What is your point?
Amen. Death has a funny way of wiping everything clean. MJ was a talented dancer, singer and songwriter. As a celebrity he was over the top and freakish. As a human being he appears to have been an utter failure, destructive not only to himself but to select children he abused. To put in him in a league with great African-American heroes is ridiculous, like saying Sinatra did great things for Italian-Americans. They're just entertainers, for god's sake.
I feel only sorrow and compassion for Michael Jackson. But I am already so tired of people saying what an icon he was for blacks and even--shockingly!--that he paved the way for Barack Obama's presidency. Jacko was a little black boy who spent a very large part of his life trying to look white. It's a sad commentary on him and an even sadder commentary on our society. Let's remember his musical legacy but save our adulation for blacks who have bravely lived their lives as blacks.
Is there a particular day when all this homage to a pedophile will end so we can get on with more important things...?
This comment has been removed by The Daily Beast's editors.
there is nothing that i have ever seen that suggest he harmed a child. yes, he was close to children and obviously loved them, but it was only because he was so distrusting of adults. and with good reason, adults were after his money and what prestige came with being associated with him, children simply and honestly just wanted to be his friend. nothing wrong with that.
Thank you.
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