hellomagazine.com

Michael Jackson

SEND TO A FRIEND

Emerging onto the music scene at the tail-end of the Sixties as the youngest member of the Jackson 5, Michael quickly became one of Motown's most successful acts, along with his four brothers. Easily the most talented of the five siblings, he also carved out a promising solo career for himself and by the mid-Eighties was a fledgling superstar among the MTV generation. It was the release of Thriller - and the spooky video with its slick dance routine - which confirmed him as a major player, however. It sold 20 million copies in the US alone, and by the time Bad was released in 1987, Michael could do no wrong.

Until 1993. That August, the singer's reputation was rocked by allegations he had sexually abused a Californian teenager. Jackson cancelled his tour and went into hiding. The following year, he agreed to an out-of-court settlement with the boy, Jordan Chandler, thought to be around $25 million dollars. The star retreated to his Neverland Ranch in California, his image in tatters.

In 1994, the papers were full of "Neverland meets Graceland" headlines when it emerged that Michael had married Elvis Presley's daughter Lisa Marie. The marriage, between two of the biggest names in music, did not last long, and by December 1995 the two had announced their separation.

It wasn't long before Michael wed again, this time to dental nurse Debbie Rowe. The ceremony took place after one of the singer's gigs in Sydney in November 1996, just days after it was revealed that the blonde American was expecting Michael's child. Prince Michael, their son, was born in early 1997, daughter Paris Katherine a year later.

Their marriage was unconventional, one even by music biz standards. Debbie went back to Beverly Hills while Michael retained custody of the children who accompany him on his international jaunts. One such trip made worldwide headlines when the singer dangled the newest addition to his family, Prince Michael II, out of a hotel window during a visit to Germany in 2002.

The following year also kicked off to a difficult start for the beleaguered singer when a high-profile documentary focusing upon his relationship with his children and other young friends was broadscast.

In 2005, a child featured in the documentary became the centre of a criminal case when Michael was charged with ten felony counts related to allegations of molesting the young boy. After a tense 14-week trial, a jury found the star not guilty on all charges.

Now in his 40s, Michael hasn't released any new material in years but arguably remains a force to be reckoned with in the entertainment world. His fame, however, may owe more to people's fascination with an eccentric Peter Pan figure who never seemed to grow up than to his musical output.

PROFILE

ONLINE POLL

VIDEO

SPECIAL