Michael Jackson’s career was marked by his extraordinary talent and constant scrutiny and backlash regarding his changing appearance. He faced numerous accusations of skin bleaching, which fueled widespread speculation and controversy, as his skin had become almost entirely white by the ’90s.
A deeper understanding of his health circumstances surfaced over the years as the singer revealed that he had a rare skin condition, vitiligo. In a recent interview, Jackson’s eldest child, Prince, shared insights into his late dad’s struggle with vitiligo and the resultant effect on his appearance.
He was insecure about his appearance
During his guest appearance on the Hotboxin’ With Mike Tyson podcast, the 26-year-old clarified a common misconception about the sudden change in his father’s skin color. Prince explained that Jackson struggled with the auto-immune skin disorder, and to maintain a balanced and consistent appearance, Jackson underwent various medical treatments, which ultimately resulted in his distinctive overall lighter complexion.
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“When I was younger, he was always explaining to me, speaking about that, I think it was even in the autopsy report, I think the cause of it is up for speculation, but it’s either vitiligo or some form of lupus, which contributed to the vitiligo,” Prince shared. “He had a lot of insecurity around, kind of looking blotchy in his appearance. So he wanted to see if he could smooth out his appearance, to help with his security on his physical appearance.”
The legend speaks about his skin disease
In an interview with Oprah Winfrey in 1993, Jackson openly discussed his struggle with Vitiligo, sharing the story behind the changes in his appearance. “I have a skin disorder, the pigmentation of my skin,” the late singer stated. “It is something I cannot help.”
He also addressed the constant stream of allegations and criticisms that were directed at him due to his evolving appearance. “When people make up stories that I don’t want to be who I am, it hurts me. It’s a problem for me,” Jackson confessed. “I can’t control it. But what about all the millions of people who sit in the sun to become darker, to become other than what they are? Nobody says nothing about that.”