And I’m still watching, too.
Despite my protests, I have to say it’s mesmerizing. Not just the life of Michael Jackson, not just the questions surrounding his death, not just the outpouring of admiration for his talent.
Mostly I keep thinking about the children—his children, and all children. In some of his important relationships—like Elizabeth Taylor and Lisa Marie Presley— celebrity childhood seems to be the common bond. It’s an example of how much our childhood experience impacts our lives forever. And the responsibility we bear as parents.
Ironically, one of the reasons I stopped being on television was my neurotic fear for the welfare of my future children. As a drama queen, I was thinking more about security (physical) than insecurity (emotional) . And since then, the culture of celebrity has expanded—-not only in importance but in scope. It’s a strange time we live in. Pretty soon everyone will get 15 minutes. Thanks to reality television— not only do people WANT to be celebrities, more people ARE celebrities. Just before Michael Jackson died, the country seemed to be obsessed by Jon and Kate Gosselin, famous only because they have sextuplets, a total of 8 children.
Celebrity children again. I’ve never seen the show but from what I’ve read, those 8 kids don’t have a prayer of a normal childhood, anymore than Michael Jackson’s kids.
And then again, I can’t say MY kids had a “normal” childhood either.
We all have flaws, closets and imperfections. His were always made public. I am not excusing him for some of them, I am just amazed at how his genius, music and his clear mission for love and peace are what people are and ultimately will remember him for. All the unflattering headlines and media attention is dwarfed by Thriller, Billie Jean, We are the World, moon walk, his children and on an on. His children will be fine and I hope end up with Debbie Rowe,their mother.
RIP Micheal, and thanks for giving more than you ever took.
I guess we all screw up our kids in some way. But certainly putting them in the public eye really does the trick.
Like all of us, Michael was a product of his own childhood— maybe with all his talent (or because of it) had greater sensitivity to pain. Some kids with horrific childhoods–or celebrity childhoods— have amazing resilience—and fairly “normal” lives (if there is such a thing). Lots is due to our internal wiring and how we process all our experiences— and I wouldn’t begin to guess how that works, or what would be best for Michael’s kids. I just wish for the best for them.