July 1996 (Casablanca, Morocco)

Below is the text of an interview recorded of Michael as he answers questions from a group of children aged 7 to 12. The interview took place in Casablanca or in Tanzania. Most of the questions were asked in Arabic. Therefore, in this text, in some places, instead of quoting the questions word for word, their subject is given. Michael answers in English, and the Arabic translation appears on a board.

For most of the interview, Michael is the only person shown in the film.

At one point, Michael stands in front of the children, and some of them ask him questions in English.

Throughout the interview, Michael sits on a couch. He is wearing a red-and-black baseball jacket and a black cap. Without sunglasses and without makeup.

In this interview, Michael looks very comfortable and calm. He speaks with his hands, and his expressions and gestures point to the topics he is talking about. His facial expressions also show his feelings and thoughts.

Question: What kind of music are you influenced by?

Michael: I’ve been influenced mostly by the music of different cultures around the world. I’ve personally studied all kinds of music. You know, from Africa to India and China and Japan and... music is music, and whatever it is, it’s beautiful... So I’m influenced by all kinds of music.

Question: What do you think about racism?

Michael: It’s cruelty. It’s ugly and threatening, and I hate it. You are my brothers [gestures toward the children]. These are my brothers. They’re my brothers. If you’re black, you’re white, if you’re Arab... we’re all the same... I love all races equally.

[Michael now stands in front of the children, takes off his jacket, and removes his cap. He is wearing a black shirt and blue jeans. His hairstyle is the same as the hairstyle he had in the clip “Do not Care About Us” in “Brazil”.]

Question: A girl of about 11 or 12 asks a question in which only the word “Arab” can be heard.

Michael: Is it true that I... what?

Question: That you don’t like Arabs?

Michael: No, that’s not true at all. I like Arabs. I like all the people in the world. This is just another example of the kind of stories people make up about me, and the truth is that it isn’t like that.

[A little boy of about 7 introduces himself, says he’s from Egypt, and asks his question.]

Question: Is it possible that one day you’ll perform a concert in Egypt?

Michael: I’d love to do a concert in Egypt. I want to travel to all the cities in your country with the next tour. I’ve only been to the airport in Egypt. But it seems like the people of Egypt are really amazing. [Michael gives a big smile and gestures toward the children] All of you are amazing people. I’m happy to be here.

[Michael sits back on the couch. He puts on his baseball jacket and puts his cap on.]

Question: About his wishes for starting a family

Michael: I’m a person who is very drawn to family, and I’m part of a family with 10 children*. So I’m used to a big family. You know... everyone comes together like one unit... and I don’t think I could live without a relationship like that. So I want to... [smiling, his smile reaches up to his ears]... I want to have a big family. I mean, altogether it’s 12 people... [an even bigger smile]... my aunt has 13 children, and I have an uncle who has 12 children, and my father has 10* children... And well... I really want a very big family.

*[Twin brother “Marlon” died when he was a child]

Question: About his audience

Michael: I can... you can feel it. What we talk about is love. You can definitely feel it... you hear their voices, they move back and forth like waves and they scream and faint... Their reactions are always beautiful!

Question: About his mood for music (probably asked about working with other artists)

Michael: At first, it’s an idea—an idea that’s just starting to take shape, not fully formed yet. And then you start working with someone, and that person could be a writer. And then I say, “I want to do this, I want to do that... tell the writer to expand on this, because I can’t do it right now... because I have to work on the next song.” So they also get an idea in their minds, and they work on the plans they have in their heads, and then they come to me with these ideas... Then I look and see whether I like the plan or not... I want to say that I’ve done almost everything like that. I usually have ideas for writing, and I usually write all the songs together with someone else.

Question: It’s not clear what the question was.

Michael: Africa is full of joy and innocence—I’m almost sure. Their people couldn’t be any better than this.

[Referring to his trip to Africa, in July 1996, to take part in the birthday celebration of “Nelson Mandela”]

And I really fell in love with it. I fell in love with it, and the music... wow, and the rhythms [it seems he has an expression of fear and admiration]. Seeing little kids moving in time with the rhythms and moving their little bodies. [Michael imitates their dancing using his arms and shoulders.] I was really... wow, I was amazed. It was incredible. They gave me everything. They bombarded me with their gifts. You know... clothes, food, and at the hotel... I was at this hotel, okay? A very, very big hotel with a bowling alley, a big game room, and a big pool. But when I looked out the window of my room, as far as my eyes could see, there were people standing there. They were even sleeping out there and waiting for me. They slept outside the hotel and were there all day, and at night they were still waiting for me... This was really... they couldn’t have been kinder than that. And I really fell in love with what they do, and I’m thinking about buying a house in Africa.

Question: About the charity “Heal the World”

Michael: Using the “Heal the World” foundation, we’ve helped millions of people, just like we’re discussing right now the construction of a hospital in “New Jersey,” which would become the first “Michael Jackson” hospital. And we want to do these things all over the world and build these things. That’s our goal and our message. Or building... I hate the word “orphanage,” but instead I say “a home for a group of children who need it... you know... it’s basically the kind of thing I want to do, and I want to keep doing it.”

[Michael’s strong, passionate feelings about this topic are clearly evident from his body movements]