All celebrities at some point in their careers have probably been portrayed negatively by the media and popular press. The media thrives off a good story, and they will do whatever they can to get people to listen to their stories; even if it means manipulation and/or misinterpretation. There is a saying, “don’t believe everything you read,” which I think that we should all live by because not everything that the media and press say is true.
One musician that definitely got a bad reputation because of the media was Michael Jackson. Although he is loved by many, he is misunderstood by few because of what the media said about him. He was certainly an exceptional musician, and because he was “different,” the media was constantly waiting for a good story to write on him. Through much of his adulthood, the media treated him as a freak, with accusations of child abuse, molestation and rumors about his private life-which all had a lack of evidence to support those allegations.
Michael Jackson certainly was unique for many reasons, hence, the constant media attention. His skin color was one issue that the media loved to talk about. His skin gradually grew lighter, and the media took notice. It turns out that Michael had 2 diseases which made him very sensitive to sunlight-causing him to carry an umbrella when he went outside. The paler that Jackson got, the more the media focused on Jackson.
His 2 marriages and his children with “odd” names were certainly talked about negatively as well. After divorcing his first wife, Lisa Marie Presley, he married Deborah Jeanne Rowe, who gave birth to his children, Michael, Jr. (aka Prince) and Paris Michael Katherine Jackson. The youngest is Prince Michael Jackson II (aka Blanket).
The most negative aspects the media focused on in Jackson’s life was the allegations of sexual molestation. He often invited young disabled or poor youth into his Neverland Ranch. One child who visited the ranch accused Jackson of child abuse during his stay. The media took this news and ran, which obviously took a toll on Jackson’s life. Even after being cleared of all charges, many critics still felt that he was a guilty man that got set free. The media then portrayed Michael Jackson as a mad man. Michael Jackson had been charged with seven counts of child sexual abuse- and Michael Jackson was acquitted on all counts.
Instead of us being influenced by the negative perception on Michael Jackson the media gave to us, let’s remember Michael Jackson for the man that he was; a musical genius.
Your blog was my first choice to respond to because you wrote about Michael Jackson. I’ve loved Michael ever since he was a little boy singing with his brothers – yes, I’m that old! Absolutely, don’t believe everything you read! I am always telling my kids this, in reference to news, magazines and advertising. (And don’t believe everything you hear either!) Definitely do not believe everything put out by the press and media. Some of the news media is so slanted either conservatively or liberally, it’s crazy! And they say they’re unbiased.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I agree that Michael was loved by so many people, I do disagree with one observation. The blog says Michael was misunderstood by few because of what the media said about him. I think Michael was misunderstood by many, many people, in fact, probably the majority of people. And the media heavily contributed to the misperceptions of him. The media loves to sensationalize anything they can get their hands on and blow it out of proportion. Michael was certainly an easy target because he was so different. His marriages, his children, his skin color and his Neverland ranch and the supposed activities that took place there all provided sensational “food” for the media. I also believe that sadly, Michael himself contributed to some of the rumors that made him seem bizarre and peculiar to some people. The makeup he sometimes wore, the multiple plastic surgeries on his nose, and of course, hanging Blanket over a hotel balcony when he was a baby didn’t help his image.
Michael Jackson was definitely a musical genius that probably no one will ever come close to replicating. I hope he’s resting in peace now.
he is a great artist who deserves a little more respect for his musical ability. I am a little sad that his life ended. I was sure the next album would be just as great as the last.I always respond to your posts. I really like the way you write. I feel like you leave a little piece of yourself on the paper.
ReplyDeleteI like Micheal Jackson also. I think that he is truely a great artist. I always liked listening to hisw music.
I do have to admit you hit it spot on with your description of the press breaking him down and bashing him. The contraveries that arose do to the allegations of sexual abuse were profound. I waqsn't sure what to believe. After all we only truely know what they want us to. It wasn't untill the leaks of the pay off circulated that I formed a not guilty verdit.
I can not speak on Micheal Jackson personally, i can not say if he did or did not. I can say however that
When I was reading over the different topics that we could choose from for this week's blog, I was going to do the media one, as well, and the first artist that came to mind? Michael Jackson. Although I don't know much about who he was or where he came from in life, there were always bad things being said about him in the tabloids or on the news. I was never one to see these things and form an opinion of a person because I have seen in other cases how the tabloids twist things around, but I didn't try to find out the truth, either. It is sad all of the negative media he had to endure. However, holding his baby over that balcony was something I will always remember about him. When I saw the pictures, I was upset. A picture like that could not be twisted by the media. I don't care what he was doing, nobody holds a baby over a balcony!! Lack of thinking on his part!
ReplyDeleteIn his defense, however, I'm sure that all of the publicity can make a person not really think clearly about what is going on. I can only imagine how I would act if all of a sudden there were a bunch of cameras on me and people surrounding me. I would get so nervous and probably do something stupid, too.