September 12, 1997 — ABC Network
Barbara Walters: Because sometimes the press has to investigate things, to be tough. They can’t always be kind.
Michael: [laughs] What did you see?…
What happened to Mrs. Diana? You tell me. There has to be a boundary… stars need that space… that time to rest. She has a heart. She’s a human being.
Barbara Walters: When you heard about Diana’s death, you canceled the concert you were supposed to perform.
Michael: Yes.
Barbara Walters: When you finally performed the concert, you dedicated it to Diana. What did you say then?
Michael: In my heart I was saying, ”I love you, Diana. Shine. Shine forever… because you are the real princess of the people.“ And I didn’t say those words out loud… but in the three minutes when Diana’s image was shown on the big « Sony » screens, I said it in my heart… her image was there and she was shining…
And the crowd was excited [he imitates their voices], and I performed the songs « Ismail » and « Gun to Sun ».
Barbara Walters: If you can, read us a piece of your poetry.
Michael: Brilliant and gleaming… with magnificent light… you were here today… you went away… how quickly you went…
Barbara Walters: Michael, you’ve said, ”I grew up in a big fish tank. I won’t let this happen to my son.“ And yet, when your son was born, you sold his photos to European newspapers and tabloids. Why did you do that?
Michael: Why?
Barbara Walters: Why?
Michael: Because they were competing to get the photos. Because some illegal photos were released. Someone took illegal photos of a child and claimed that this boy was Mike’s son, and he sold the photos—and he got millions of dollars.
Barbara Walters: And as far as I’m concerned, those weren’t photos of your son.
Michael: Yes, they weren’t photos of my son… Well, I took photos of my son. I said, ”They’re forcing me to take those photos.“ Helicopters are flying over us. They circle around my house. Around the hospital. Cars and satellites are everywhere. Even the hospital administrator told me, ”Michael, we’ve had all kinds of famous people here… but it’s never been like this. It’s unbelievable!“ And I said, ”The photos are here… take them…“ And I donated the money to charities.
Barbara Walters: So, more or less… what you’re saying is that you did it to get rid of them?
Michael: Yes, and now they want to do it again and I don’t want that. Maybe I don’t want to show my son to the world like that. I want him to have his own place where he can go to school. I don’t want them to call him « Jaco »—that’s not good. They call his father that way. That’s not good… right?
Barbara Walters: You said you don’t want your son to be called « Jaco’s son » [she looks down; she’s clearly not happy about having to repeat that offensive nickname]; how do you stop that? So they don’t do it with your son.
Michael: Maybe you should help me by giving me an idea.
Barbara Walters: You’re his father.
Michael: You’re right. They made up that name. They were even thinking that maybe one day I’d have a child… or that I have a heart. This topic hurts my heart. Why would I give that nickname to my son?