Biopics have always been a fascination to watch. Revisiting the history and reliving the moments of a significant person or event have always excited people. Especially, if the celebrity or the personality is well regarded as the “Legend” or “God” by their fans and followers. Be it Hollywood, Bollywood, or any regional or country-based cinema, biopics have always guaranteed viewership in theatres. This is the reason the majority of the directors have always bet on Biopics. One such biopic, which has created a lot of anticipation and has now become a talk of the town, is the movie on the life of legendary artist, singer, dancer, performer, philanthropist, Global icon, phenomenon Michael Jackson, also referred to as “King of Pop” by his fans all across the globe.
Often termed as the “greatest performer of all time” and “richest dead artist”, Michael Jackson was more than just a performer. He was a music producer, composer, dancer, and businessman. Starting from a very humble beginning, He reached the pinnacle of the music and entertainment industry. Now that his biopic is here, people and the new generation will get to know more deeply about the icon, beyond his music.
Michael Jackson: Man, Music and Moonwalk
Michael Jackson was born on August 28, 1958, to Joe Jackson and Kathrine Jackson in Gary, Indiana, USA. He was the 8th child of the couple. In 1964, he and his brother Marlon joined the family band “Jackson Brothers,” comprises of his brothers Jackie, Jermaine, and Tito. Later, the group was recognised as “Jackson 5”. Their father, Joe Jackson, was their manager and was later revealed in an interview with Oprah Winfrey to be “abusive and authoritarian”. In 1965, the band won the talent show in which Michael performed. From 1966 to 1968.
The family later relocated to Los Angeles, and the Band soon performed at Miss Black America in 1969, where Michael became a star sensation and was termed a “prodigy”. Soon Michael Jackson became the main attraction and lead singer of the group. From 1970 to 1981, the group and Michael himself released many albums and solo songs, which turned out to be chartbusters and gained huge popularity. They also signed many deals with the American music label company, Motown, which turned out to be a major collaboration. He is one of the selected artists to secure the highest royalty of his songs, with upto 37% profits.
On March 25, 1983, he performed at Motown 25 on his popular song “Billie Jean”, which earned him a Grammy award. This performance is marked historically to witness Michael Jackson performing the iconic Moonwalk for the first time on stage. This move soon became a major dance move and cemented him as a wholesome performer. In the 26th Annual Grammy Awards, Michael received 13 nominations and won 8 out of them, the highest by any individual artist in a year.
‘Beat It’, ‘Thriller’ and the ‘Pepsi Incident’
By the end of 1983, Michael Jackson became a global sensation with Grammys and many other awards to his name. He released many songs like ‘’Beat It’ and ‘Thriller’ which became an instant hit. Especially ‘Thriller’ became the most sold album of an independent artist, selling around one million copies per week during the peak time, and became a cult classic. Another album, ‘Beat It’, also gained a lot of popularity and solidified Michael Jackson as the artist that every music label and brand is looking to collaborate with. In January 1984, during a simulated concert organised by Pepsi Co. in front of a live audience, the pyrotechnics on the stage set Michael’s hair on fire, causing the artist to suffer second-degree burns. However, he signed the deal with the soft drink brand, which was still considered the biggest brand deal in history with remuneration of about $5 Million (16.2 million as of 2025).
The Change in Look and the allegation that followed
The constant tours, recordings, and medications made Michael Jackson prone to many health issues. He developed Vitiligo and became very conscious about his appearance as a public figure. He got 3 plastic surgeries, adopted a strict vegetarian diet, a healthy lifestyle, and changed his hairstyle. He attributed it to “an essential need for change as a performer.” But time never remained favored to him always. The disputes with the family back at home and serious allegations of drug usage and child exploitation deeply shook his image. However, these allegations turned out to be false, but he was under government scrutiny for his Neverland Ranch, pet chimpanzee Bubbles, and his success as an individual artist.
All these allegations somewhat affected him. Also, he was against the exploitation of the performers and artists in the name of contract clauses. This affected his partnership with Sony Music and also impacted his future brand endorsements and tours. However, his global fan following and reputation as an artist were so huge that while shooting “They don’t care about us”, the local mafia lords in Brazil halted their gang wars and assured complete safety and cooperation to Michael Jackson’s team and crew. He died on June 25, 2009, due to an overdose of painkillers. Even after his death, he is still regarded as the “richest dead artist in history.”
Philanthropy and social work
Apart from being a successful artist and businessman, Michael Jackson is often regarded for his philanthropic efforts. Be it the underprivileged children in the African continent or the poverty-stricken Brazil, he was always one of the most generous celebrities. According to some reports and speculations, he donated around $500 millions, adjusted to inflation. He was very vocal about artists’ crew members’ rights and their well-being, animal conservation, and was against the use of alcohol and drugs.
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He was fond of animals and kept many exotic animals preserved at his Neverland Ranch, also developed as a wildlife sanctuary. He even donated and auctioned many personal belongings to raise money for the charity. His philanthropic actions were so extensive that it got placed in the Guinness Book of World Records. The role is reprised by a debutant and Michael’s nephew, Jaffar Jackson.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. When was Michael Jackson born?
Michael Jackson was born on August 28, 1958, in Gary, Indiana.
Q2. What was the name of the band Michael Jackson joined with his brothers?
He joined the family band, which later became recognised as “Jackson 5.”
Q3. When did Michael Jackson first perform the “Moonwalk”?
He first performed the iconic “Moonwalk” on stage during his performance at Motown 25 on March 25, 1983.
Q4. What was the “Pepsi Incident” involving Michael Jackson?
In January 1984, pyrotechnics at a simulated Pepsi concert set Michael Jackson’s hair on fire, causing him to suffer second-degree burns.
Q5. Who is starring in the upcoming Michael Jackson biopic?
The role of Michael Jackson is reprised by his nephew, Jaffar Jackson.
