Here are some lesser-known facts about Michael Jackson:
In 1993, Michael Jackson and his team patented a special shoe design that allowed him to lean forward at a gravity-defying angle during performances of “Smooth Criminal.”
Michael Jackson was a huge fan of ‘The Simpsons’ and even guest-starred in the episode “Stark Raving Dad” (1991), where he voiced a character named Leon Kompowsky, though he was uncredited.
Michael Jackson followed a vegetarian diet for much of his life. He had a private zoo at his Neverland Ranch. His most famous pet was a chimpanzee named Bubbles, but he also had tigers, llamas, and other exotic animals.
Beyond his music, Jackson was deeply involved in humanitarian causes. He supported over 39 charities during his lifetime and was listed in the Guinness World Records for the “Most Charities Supported by a Pop Star.”
Michael Jackson’s influence extended to video games. He was involved in the creation of ‘Michael Jackson’s Moonwalker’, a video game for Sega. Rumors also suggest he contributed music to ‘Sonic the Hedgehog 3’.
Michael Jackson publicly revealed that he had vitiligo, a skin condition that causes loss of pigmentation, which explained the gradual lightening of his skin over the years. He used makeup and treatments to even out his skin tone.
Jackson won his first Grammy Award at the age of 21, but he had been nominated as a part of the Jackson 5 as young as 12.
Jackson was an avid art collector and had a fascination with history. His home was filled with sculptures, Renaissance paintings, and other works of art. He even held a deep admiration for historical figures like Michelangelo and Walt Disney.
While Jackson popularized the moonwalk, it was originally a street dance move known as the “backslide.” Jackson perfected it and made it his signature move after seeing street dancers perform it.
His ‘Bad’ tour, which spanned from 1987 to 1989, broke world records for being the highest-grossing tour at that time, grossing over $125 million. It was also the largest attended concert tour in history with over 4.4 million fans.
Michael Jacson did not know how read or write music. Yet he was a musical genuis. Despite this he had unique ability to create and develop complex melodies, harmonies and rhythms by vocalizing them. He woulf offen record himself beatboxing or humming tunes, then work with musicians and producers to translate thoses ideas into full compositions. His remarkable natural talent and deep understanding of music allowed him to become one of the most iconic figures in pop history.
