September 12, 1997 — ABC Network
Michael: They follow you. They chase you with their motorcycles.
[another sound like a motorcycle engine]
Barbara Walters: And they weave in front of you?
Michael: Yes, and I have to tell the driver, ”Slow down.“ I jump out for a second and I say, ”You’re going to get us all killed—slow down!“ I’ve done that many times… ”You’re going to kill us“… and the driver jumps out of the car and yells at them.
Barbara Walters: You know, there’s a debate about whether you rely on advertising to sell your albums… for your concerts… the things you want…
Michael: When I’m satisfied with something, yes.
Barbara Walters: But you can’t always control the press. You can’t always be pleased with everything. You can’t bring them into your life and use them for promotion, and then all at once, for a specific purpose, throw them out and say they don’t have the right to interfere anymore.
Michael: Why not? You can.
Barbara Walters: Okay, how do you do it? What’s the line between the two?
Michael: I know how to do it and how to stop them… and it’s something you shouldn’t do. You shouldn’t say, ”He’s an animal… he’s a…“ You shouldn’t say ”Jaco”… I’m not a Jaco… I’m Jackson.
Barbara Walters: What do you feel when they tell you…
M: Yes… and where does that “Jaco” come from? From some of these English tabloids. I have a heart, I have feelings. When they do that to me, I feel it. It’s not right. Don’t do it. I’m not stupid.
Barbara Walters: Some people say that you yourself end up increasing the attention people pay to you.
Michael: No, I don’t do that.
Barbara Walters: Well, the mask… the mysterious behavior…
Michael: There’s no mysterious behavior. There are times when… when I have a concert and I want as many people as possible who want to come and enjoy the concert.
And there are times when you want to be in your own privacy… when you put on your pajamas and go to sleep…
You turn off the light [he makes the sound of flicking a light switch]… and you lie down… that’s your private space. You go to the park. I can’t go. So I built my own park in Neverland. A lake, a cinema, an amusement park… that’s all the stuff I can enjoy.
Barbara Walters: I don’t want this to sound insulting. I just want to be honest with you. But you’re a little strange in the way you always say the least that can be said. Your style of dress, your appearance… those things attract people’s attention. The look you grew up with is unusual. Don’t you think that’s what calls the paparazzi to you?
Michael: No [he shakes his head]…
No… maybe I like living this way. I like dressing this way. I really don’t want the paparazzi. But if they come, they should be kind. Write the truth… write good things.
Barbara Walters: Michael, is it part of the role of a reporter or the press to be kind?