Michael Jackson was convinced that he could not achieve anything as long as he had a dark complexion. At the time when he first appeared on stage, blacks were oppressed and humiliated, and therefore the singer decided to change his skin color to white and underwent many plastic surgeries. This is one of the most popular myths about Michael Jackson. Indeed, he was constantly observed by doctors and repeatedly went under the surgeon's knife, but the reason was not at all in public opinion.
In the early 90s, it became known why Michael Jackson actually decided to change his skin color. It turned out that the king of pop music suffered from an autoimmune disease that was immediately considered then rare - vitiligo. In the early eighties, the singer's skin color could be defined as medium brown, but after a few years, the change in hue began to be evident. It was then that dermatologist Arnold Klien gave Jackson a terrible diagnosis. The disease caused the appearance of white spots on the skin, as well as an increased sensitivity of the epidermis to ultraviolet light.
Facts and rumors
In the early 1980s, Michael was underweight. He followed a strict diet almost all his life, practically starving. Due to lack of nutrients, he was often dizzy, and he became quite irritable. Journalists and ill-wishers began to suspect the singer's mental disorder, manifested in superperfectionism, constant dissatisfaction with himself, and the inability to adequately assess his appearance. A note or two in the tabloid press became fertile ground for the rumor of deliberate skin discoloration taking root. In fact, Michael Jackson's skin lightened, regardless of his desire. In medicine, this is called spontaneous depigmentation. Moreover, the shade changed unevenly, in spots. Due to the illness, the face began to deform. To preserve the "marketable" appearance, the singer resorted to facial surgery over and over again.
Very often, the pop idol had to spend 3-4 hours in the dressing room, waiting for the specialist to cover his face with tons of makeup. It was not easy to hide the spots, but often it was still possible to do it.
Confessions of a King of Pop
On February 10, 1993, at one of the press conferences, Michael Jackson explained to the world the reason for the strange behavior and unusual appearance. He noticed the first symptoms of vitiligo in the mid-70s. At that time, scientists and doctors knew too little about this disease. There was no way to reverse the changes or any cure for vitiligo. The only solution to the problem for a public figure like Jackson was to mask the stains with makeup. Michael was outraged by the attention to this fact. He wondered why no one was discussing the millions of people who decide to make their skin darker and go to sunbathe, but they are asking why his skin has become lighter. The singer also clarified that he never wanted or tried to become white. He could not control a complex genetic disease, and therefore first tried to hide the white spots. But then they became so great that it was necessary to even out the overall skin tone precisely in the light areas.
Even in comparison with ordinary people of the Caucasian race, Michael Jackson seemed too pale. Such a sharp contrast in different areas of the skin is possible only in patients with vitiligo.
Dermatologist Jackson in the same 1993 under oath declared that he really diagnosed the king of pop music "vitiligo" and "lupus" back in 1986 and prescribed a medicine. The product Michael Jackson was hoping for included a compound called monobenzone hydroquinone. This is a fairly strong remedy with a permanent effect. This is how this depigmenting cream differs from conventional whitening ones. For healthy people, the creams contain the usual hydroquinone, which has a temporary effect.
Experts say that if the method of repigmentation had been sufficiently studied in the 90s, Michael Jackson would still be alive and well.
Vitiligo in the Jackson family
Michael was not the only one in his family who suffered from vitiligo. In February 1993, he gave an interview to Oprah Winfrey, in which he said that the disease is transmitted from generation to generation on the paternal side, but not everyone has it. The singer has repeatedly emphasized that he has always been proud of his belonging to African American culture. Several years ago it was revealed that Michael's eldest son also suffers from vitiligo.
