Wildest Michael Jackson Rumours
The Strangest Stories That Have Been Spread About the King of Pop
Jul 7, 2009
Now that the King of Pop has passed away, the world is remembering and reflecting on his amazing, groundbreaking and bizarre life. Michael Jackson’s life and career was plagued by rumours and gossip.
Some might believe that many of the more outlandish stories spread about him actually originated from his own PR camp, but whatever their source, these tales were reported in tabloids across the world. Here are some of the strangest stories told about Michael Jackson; some may be true, while others have been debunked.
Elephant Man’s Bones
One of the rumours believed to have been created by Jackson’s promotional team was the story that Jackson had paid $1 million for the bones of John Merrick, also known as the Elephant Man. It was said that Jackson identified with Merrick because he thought of himself as an outsider and a freak just like Merrick. This rumour has been reported by such credible sources as Time Magazine. Jackson refused to acknowledge this report for many years, which earned him the nickname “Wacko Jacko.”
Fountain of Youth
In 1986, The National Enquirer featured photos of Jackson in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber. It was rumoured that he slept in the chamber to slow the aging process and maintain his youthful appearance. Other gossip claimed that Jackson used hormone treatments to preserve his high-pitched voice.
From Black To White
When Jackson’s skin started to appear visibly lighter in the early 1980s, it was rumoured that he was using skin-bleaching products to appear whiter, as reported by author, Lisa Campbell. Many wondered if Jackson was turning his back on his African American heritage in an attempt to fit in with white culture. It was later revealed that Jackson suffered from vitiligo, a skin pigment disorder that causes white patches to appear on the skin.
According to the 2004 book The Magic and The Madness by Randy Taraborrelli, the treatments Jackson used to combat the condition contributed to the lightening of his skin and he often used makeup to even out his complexion, which also gave him a paler appearance. Vitiligo was also blamed for Jackson’s tendency to use umbrellas, surgical masks, scarves and other coverings when in public, as he had to protect himself from the sun.
Plastic Surgery
The exact extent of the plastic surgery Jackson underwent is not known, but his face has changed significantly over the years, making it obvious that he did alter his appearance with surgery. Surgeons who have not worked with Jackson speculated on ABC News that Jackson had several nasal surgeries, a forehead lift, a thinning of the lips, cheekbone adjustments and a cleft put in his chin.
Some experts believe that Jackson suffered from body dysmorphic disorder, a mental condition in which the subject perceives their physical appearance in a way that is drastically different from reality.
Michael and Anorexia
As described in Taraborrelli's book, Jackson lost a significant amount of weight in the 1980s reportedly due to a change in his diet and a desire to have a “dancer’s body.” Periods of weight loss and witness accounts of Jackson appearing dizzy and weak lead many to assume that he suffered from anorexia nervosa.
Bubbles The Chimp
Jackson kept a chimpanzee named Bubbles as a pet and companion. His relationship with Bubbles was seen as evidence of his detachment from reality to many including the writers of a Rolling Stone article called "Is Michael Jackson For Real?". In 2003, Jackson asserted that Bubbles knew how to use the toilet and clean his bedroom.
Rumour Mill
The strange stories of Jackson's behaviour only fuelled his fame and became more bizarre as time went on. He will always be remembered for his music and his humanitarian work, but the wild rumours that circulated about him throughout his life will surely forever be attached to his memory as well.
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