Michael Jackson Talks About Fame, Plastic Surgery And `Thriller'

Jet, Dec 20, 1999

Superstar Michael Jackson opens up and talks about the pressures of fame, his plastic surgery and the making of his landmark album Thriller in an exclusive interview in TV Guide.

He also reveals why he wears disguises when he goes out in public: "I do disguises for different reasons," he told TV Guide.

"I like to study people--be like the fly on the wall. Even if it's two old ladies sitting on a bench or some kids on a swing. Because I don't know what it's like to fit in an everyday situation."

He recalls, "One time I was in a record store, completely disguised, and these girls were pulling out my album, talking all about me. I was literally next to them. It was wonderful. I loved it."

Jackson adds, "If I go out as myself, I can't have fun. Soon as I step in, the party's over--for me. It's a party for them, but they're all putting their cards in my face, saying, `Remember me? I met you four years ago at.... And I say, `I don't remember.' So I can't enjoy the experience. They play all my songs. I didn't come to hear my music. And everybody starts chanting, `Dance!' Well, I want to see you dance for a change."

Turning his attention to his plastic surgery, he said, "All of Hollywood has plastic surgery! I don't know why they point me out. The press exaggerated it. It's just my nose, you know. They want it to be everything. Just the nose isn't enough. Elvis had his nose done--Lisa Marie (Presley's daughter and Jackson's ex-wife) told me. They don't talk about that. They single me out. It's not fair."

He also discussed his friendship with legendary actress Elizabeth Taylor. "We go to the movies every Thursday ... And it's usually empty, because (most) people are working at the time. (The theater employees) go, `Wow, come on in and we never really pay. And we're the ones that can afford it," he laughs.

He said he never thought that his Thriller album would go on to become the best-selling album of all time. The album sold more than 40 million copies worldwide.

"I didn't really think about how the album would do; I just wanted to create what I would enjoy seeing. And my main goal for (the video) Thriller was to do something that would be scary, fun and exciting."