Text of Michael Jackson’s Interview With ABC

Text of Michael Jackson’s interview with Chris Connelly from ABC:

Chris Connelly: How are you planning to celebrate your 50th birthday?

Michael: Well, I’ll be with the kids and I’ll have a little cake, and we’ll probably watch a few cartoons.

Chris Connelly: When you look at your career, what do you think is different—something you want to do?

Michael: I’m eagerly waiting to do a lot of big things. So the answer to this question is difficult. If I’m allowed to say it, I think I haven’t presented my best work yet. Michael: I’m watching some of the James Brown shows right now.

Chris Connelly: Are you serious?

Michael: Yes. I love James Brown.

Chris Connelly: What do you think were the happiest times of your career?

Michael: The happiest? Making the albums Thriller and Off the Wall. They meant a lot to me, and people all over the world really welcomed them. I really enjoyed it.

Chris Connelly: Can you still perform and excite people at age 50?

Michael: Yes! Because I’m expanding the paths and ways. People see some of the things I do and say, “Why don’t you show this to the world?” They don’t know that you do these things. Well, maybe I’ll do that too.

Michael: Some young people, newer artists… I think Chris Brown and Timberlake’s work is great. I really admire them.

Chris Connelly: Did you sacrifice anything to build this 40-year career that’s still going on?

Michael: I worked really hard… you have to sacrifice your time and planning. And your childhood… you know, for this work, you give up your life.

Chris Connelly: Do you want the kids to get into show business and production at a young age like you did? Or do you tell them, “Hey, wait and see—enjoy your childhood”?

Michael: I let them enjoy their childhood as much as possible. I really do that. I let them go to the mall and the cinema and do things. That’s easy for me. You know, I want them to do things I couldn’t do myself.

Chris Connelly: It must be very fun and valuable for them to do the things you couldn’t do. Right?

Michael: Yeah, when I see that they’re having fun, I get emotional. When they play and scream with happiness and… I get emotional.

Chris Connelly: You know, when most people turn 50, the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) identifies them and sends them an AARP card. Has an AARP card been mailed to you?

Michael: I don’t know anything about that (laughs)

Chris Connelly: Well, look at the world. They can find you wherever you are.

Source: eMJey / ABC