Michael Jackson Skin Controversy
Michael Jackson’s remarkable musical career was overshadowed by numerous scandals in his personal life, with one of the most prominent being the obvious change in his appearance, especially his skin color.
From the mid-eighties onwards, his skin slowly but surely transitioned from dark to white, becoming evident by the mid-nineties when he released his album “History” in 1995. This transformation was a source of controversy, given that it seemed like a stark departure from the man who had recently married Lisa Marie Presley.
The explanation given by Michael Jackson and his family was that he suffered from vitiligo, a condition that causes depigmentation of the skin, resulting in white spots, particularly noticeable on individuals with a dark complexion like Jackson. Vitiligo usually starts showing signs between the ages of 10 and 30 and can be hereditary. In addition to vitiligo, Jackson reportedly had systemic lupus erythematosus, a potentially serious condition that can also lead to skin depigmentation.
The controversy surrounding his changing skin color peaked in 1993 when Jackson addressed it openly in an interview with Oprah. He expressed his frustration with people making up stories about his appearance and emphasized that his skin change was due to vitiligo, something beyond his control.
Conspiracy theorists suggested that Jackson deliberately bleached his skin using various medical treatments, claiming that he wanted to look like a white person. They pointed to extensive cosmetic surgeries on his eyebrows, eyelashes, lips, and nose as evidence of his efforts to alter his appearance.
Dr. Christopher Rogers, the deputy medical examiner at the Los Angeles Coroner’s Office, who conducted Jackson’s autopsy, confirmed that Jackson did suffer from vitiligo, with visible patches on his face, chest, abdomen, and arms. As for the bleaching claims, dermatologist Dr. Hanish Babu supported the idea that Jackson used skin bleaching as a treatment for his vitiligo.
While Jackson’s true motivation for bleaching his skin remains known only to him, it is evident that vitiligo did play a role in his decision. Some patients with vitiligo choose to remove the pigmented parts of their skin to achieve a more even skin color, and this could have been the reason behind Jackson’s choice. Regardless of the reasons, Jackson’s appearance transformation caused immense speculation and controversy, taking attention away from his musical legacy.
In conclusion, despite the controversies surrounding Michael Jackson’s changing appearance, it is confirmed that he did suffer from vitiligo, and there is evidence suggesting that he used skin bleaching as a treatment. The true motivations behind his decisions remain a subject of debate, but they should not overshadow the musical legacy of the “King of Pop,” whose talent and impact on the music industry remain undeniable.