The Jackson Show

In the 1998 film The Truman Show directed by Peter Weir, Jim Carrey portrayed Truman Burbank, a man whose entire existence was manipulated into sensationalist entertainment for an unseen global audience.

While the comedy-drama was a comment on the rise of reality-television at the time, I have always felt there was a similarity between Truman Burbank’s relationship with the media – which is represented through the Godlike Christoff (Ed Harris) and how Michael Jackson was treated by the International media, particularly since Jackson’s life had played out in front of cameras for all five decades of his life, as was Truman Burbank’s entire life.

              


In 2002, a reader posted a news item on Popdirt.com with the following quote reportedly by Weir:
You watch The Truman Show and, I mean, Jim Carrey did a fantastic job, but Michael Jackson is Truman. He’s who I based him on and he is the nearest thing to Truman.

Weir also reportedly stated in the same interview that Michael was the inspiration behind the similarly themed S1m0ne (2002), directed by Andrew Niccol, who also wrote the script for The Truman Show. In both these features, there is a complicated relationship between the creator and the subject who is a figure of International entertainment.

Michael’s image has been used in a wide range of films for different purposes over the years, but one use of his image has stayed with me; in Michael Haneke’s 71 Fragments of a Chronology of Chance (1994), images of the Press Conference held on December 22, 1993, in which Michael publicly responded to the 1993 allegations, are intercut with other news items of the era - such as the Bosnian War, Somali Civil War and South Lebanon conflict. This short and very real use of Michael’s image, blatantly demonstrates the media’s appetite for celebrity, and in particular, sensationalising the private matters of a public figure as a form of entertainment.

And it is probably true that many people view Michael’s life as a series of images, rather than a rich and diverse life, and many media outlets deliberately focus on ‘sections’ of Michael’s life (particularly his “Thriller” years), for example, the GQ article from the September 2009 issue (with the tag “When Michael Was Cool” on the cover) entitled Back In The Day by John Jeremiah Sullivan. The article begins with the following statement:

Before the weirdness claimed his legacy, Michael Jackson understood his talent—and what he was willing to do for it—better than we ever have.

However, the “weirdness” Sullivan speaks of, or rather as I would like to refer to it - the media’s “weird” portrayal of Michael – did not suddenly claim Michael’s “legacy”. In fact, from the time Michael Jackson entered the public eye at the tender age of ten, the negativity began. As Lisa D. Campbell noted in her book, Michael Jackson: The King of Pop:

“Other acts performing in the same clubs as the Jackson Five during this time, were constantly amazed at Michael’s dancing ability and the emotion with which the ten year old sang. This gave rise to ridiculous stories that the Jackson Five’s singer was actually a midget, much older than he appeared” (Page 16).

Of course Michael would live with such absurd rumours throughout his life, but not just in reference to his talent. In fact, many of his struggles were ones we have all dealt with at one time or another, including simply growing from a child to a teenager, to a confident adult.

Still, Michael dealt with his fame with grace. He was never disconnected with the events of the wider world; he of course developed The Heal the World Foundation in 1992, which was in Michael’s words: “To improve the conditions for children throughout the world.” 

Michael’s world tours brought much joy to his fans, but they did have a dual purpose. Michael would not only perform concerts for millions, but would also have the opportunity to spend time with several underprivileged children in hospitals and orphanages in every city. Michael was very much a citizen of the world, but this was not the image in the wider media. Rather, Michael was portrayed as a caricature; an image, who according to the media was not a father, a son, a brother, a friend or a man who could possible he hurt by the schoolyard bully tactics. Yet still, Michael handled each unfortunate media event surprisingly with humour, even in the aftermath of the Bashir interview.

Michael’s music would also become his outlet to address all the tabloid and gossip magazines, the most famous tracks being “Leave Me Alone” and “Scream.” It’s hard to fathom just how Michael coped with his mega-celebrity and yet still remained down to earth, and of course the various trials and tribulations Michael endured, seemed to leave him more strong-willed and wiser as his interviews with Geraldo Rivera demonstrate – never quite matching the media’s angle.

              


Michael only wanted to entertain his audience, and be treated with dignity and respect in his lifetime. Remember the famous speech at the Grammys in 1998 – “It feels good to thought of as a person, not as a personality."

              


Michael did have an extraordinary life. His assorted life experiences and art have inspired and entertained us, his audience, and continue too. And while there are those events in Michael’s life which many would rather forget; they still prove the grace, determination and will of Michael. It’s not the lows which define you, it is how you make your way back.


Sources:
The Truman Show. Based On Michael Jackson. Popdirt. Com, October 28, 2002. http://popdirt.com/the-truman-show-based-on-michael-jackson/9310/
Sullivan, John Jeremiah, Back in the Day. GQ. September 2009.  http://www.gq.com/entertainment/celebrities/200908/michael-jackson-john-jeremiah-sullivan-tribute
Jackson, Michael. Jackson Foundation Aimed at Helping Children.”The Seattle Times. February 8, 1993.  http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19930208&slug=1684302
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqU2w2Uydfk&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNIrzwrM6_A&feature=player_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7cgf96_HnI&feature=player_embedded

Written by Vanessa Appassamy

All Rights Reserved.
No reproduction without permission from author.

This article appears in the publication Dot to Dot: Keeping Michael’s Legacy Alive, and its content is the property of the authors and the Michael Jackson Tribute Portrait. Articles and exclusive interviews are copyrighted; therefore there should be no republication without permission. You may email edito@michaeljacksontributeportrait.com with any requests for republication. If permission is given, credit must be given to the author, Dot to Dot: Keeping Michael's Legacy Alive and the Michael Jackson Tribute Portrait.

http://mjtpmagazine.presspublisher.us/
http://www.michaeljacksontributeportrait.com/

Fighting for the Michael Jackson Tribute Portrait

Some people say that out of every tragedy comes something good. Indeed, I've been blessed to encounter some of the most unconditional love I've ever experienced through friendships I've made in this community.

However, in the last few months I've had people with whom I was friendly become distant. Some who used to engage with me through social networks stopped doing so as much, others whom I've tried to befriend have flat out ignored me; comments on our articles have dropped, and some people seem to not support the MJTP to the extent they used to.

I didn't give it too much thought until I discovered that there are people in the community who feel the MJTP betrayed Michael, because one of our team members attended (by invitation) the album release party for Michael; some even going as far as writing about it on their blogs. Now it all makes so much sense, I thought to myself as the tears began to flow. That hurt me. 

Our intent at the MJTP is to be a tribute of love and carry on Michael's legacy, which for some may or may not include buying his music. There is no doubt that he will go down in history as one of the world's greatest entertainers. Through his songs, performances, concerts and short films, future generations will be able to experience his incredible talent. His influence will be felt for decades to come as artists now strive to emulate him, but there was something else just as amazing about Michael that future generations should be aware of, and that was his extraordinary capacity to love.

They should know how much he cared for all of humanity, how sensitive he was to the pain of sick and disadvantaged children, how he used his global fame as a force for humanitarian causes around the world.



They should know about the special relationship he had with his fans, why we are so loyal and how we shared an unconditional love. They should know about his connection to a Supreme Being, and how it was the foundation for his astounding creativity.

They should know about the strength he exhibited in the face of challenges, the dignity he maintained through attempts to discredit his character, and the extraordinary father he was to his children.

There are people with strong opinions on both sides when it comes to Michael's music. I have always encouraged fans to remain true to whatever it is they believe. When it comes to his children, I know they will be very successful in life no matter what happens with the music, because they were blessed enough to be raised on the love of Michael Jackson. It doesn't get any better than that. Having that as a foundation on which to build their lives is a precious gift he gave them. It's the most important part of his legacy.

To those who judge others without having the facts, please try to remember that this is what hurt Michael the most while he was living; it's what continues to hurt him now that he's gone, and what will ultimately tear this community apart if we turn on each other.



It's disheartening that some people have become so judgmental that they are making it hard for anyone to put positive work out there on Michael. Take for instance the recent announcement from Jermaine Jackson about the memoir he is writing called, You Are Not Alone. He said it was a book written out of love, and an attempt to show the world who Michael really was.

When he passed away, I was horrified to discover how some people had made it their lot in life to take Michael down. They tried everything they could to get the public to hate him, and judge him, and stigmatize him, so if Jermaine can educate the masses about the love he really embodied I am all for it.

I feel a responsibility to garner as much love for Michael as I possibly can. I have a passion to educate the world about how worthy of love he really is, and I am compelled to do whatever it takes to evoke those feelings from them, so I truly understand why he wants to do this.



Every person on this team does this work as a volunteer; most of whom also have full time jobs. We do it because we love him. To have someone suggest otherwise is unfair and unjust. It upset me so badly that I considered just walking away from it all, because to put it bluntly, it sucks to be loved conditionally. I decided to sleep on it though, and I'm so glad I did.

The next morning I awoke with a smile as I quickly recalled a dream I'd had. I was in a room, standing in a row behind a barrier with a few other fans waiting for Michael to come and greet us. The room was square and dimly lit, with walls that were cream colored and bare; the air was filled with excitement and anticipation. As he walked in, the energy quickly changed to love and the room lit up with a beautiful peach glow.

He gracefully walked over to us with his entourage behind him, and started talking to the fans next to me. He reached out and grabbed my hand without making eye contact or saying anything to me, holding it the entire time he spoke with them. I just stood there mesmerized feeling like my heart was going to beat out of my chest, taking note of how soft his hand was. When he was finished, he squeezed it lightly as if to say "don't give up," then he let it drop to my side.

As he told the crowd goodbye, he declared his love for us by putting his hands in that famous prayer pose, then blew a kiss with his fingertips. We couldn't take our eyes off him as he made his way toward the door. Then, right before he walked out, he turned around and winked at me...That's the only dream I've ever had about Michael, but it was exactly what I needed to renew my spirit.



In his autobiography Moonwalk, he said, "When I feel that something is not right, I have to speak up. I know most people don't think of me as tough or strong-willed, but that's just because they don't know me." I can relate to that because even though my focus in on love, that doesn't mean I won't speak up when I feel something isn't right.

To those who questioned our loyalty and dedication to Michael, in the words of Christina Aguilera's hit song "Fighter."

"I wanna say thank you.'Cause it makes me that much stronger
Makes me work a little bit harder
It makes me that much wiser
So thanks for making me a fighter."

You've helped me develop a little of that rhinoceros skin Michael used to speak about, which makes me that much stronger. You've renewed my passion and sense of purpose which makes me work a little bit harder, and by heeding Michael's advice, I've become that much wiser: "No matter who's around you that's being negative or thrusting negative energy at you, totally block it off."

Most of all you've helped me remember why I started doing this work in the first place: to love Michael Jackson and help others do the same.

The Michael Jackson Tribute Portrait is, and always will be, a tribute of love by the fans for the fans, to honor and appreciate the man, the legend and the humanitarian. To those who continue to support us in what we're trying to do for him, we thank you. It means more than you could possibly know.

Written by Linda Higgins

All Rights Reserved.
No reproduction without permission from author.

This article appears in the publication Dot to Dot: Keeping Michael’s Legacy Alive, and its content is the property of the authors and the Michael Jackson Tribute Portrait. Articles and exclusive interviews are copyrighted; therefore there should be no republication without permission. You may email edito@michaeljacksontributeportrait.com with any requests for republication. If permission is given, credit must be given to the author, Dot to Dot: Keeping Michael's Legacy Alive and the Michael Jackson Tribute Portrait.

http://www.mjtpmagazine.presspublisher.us/
http://www.michaeljacksontributeportrait.com/