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Jackson Couldn't Face Man in the Mirror

He 'was most himself' when someone else

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 27, 2009 11:27 AM CDT

(Newser) – Michael Jackson was always trying to be somebody else: he "was most himself when he was someone other than himself,” writes Hilton Als in the New York Review of Books. The need to redefine himself emerged in his thirst for fame that would let him “wrest from the world what most performers seek: a nonfractured mirroring.”

Jackson grew up feeling different, a sense that sprung from growing up in a conservative black religious setting and being raised by an iron-fisted father and a “silent” mother. His songwriting is rich with the metaphors of an outsider—but his artistic output ended after the album Dangerous. To carry on would have required “turning inward,” something Jackson was afraid to do. “Michael Jackson died a long time ago, and it's taken years for anyone to notice," Als writes.

In this 1972 file photo, singer Michael Jackson at age 13, the youngest member of the singing group Jackson Five, sings in his home in Encino, Ca.
In this 1972 file photo, singer Michael Jackson at age 13, the youngest member of the singing group Jackson Five, sings in his home in Encino, Ca.   (AP Photo, file)
American pop star Michael Jackson arrives at the University of Oxford Union in Oxford, England, Tuesday, March 6, 2001.
American pop star Michael Jackson arrives at the University of Oxford Union in Oxford, England, Tuesday, March 6, 2001.   (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
In this Aug. 29, 1993 file photo, pop singer Michael Jackson performs during his Dangerous concert in National Stadium, Singapore.
In this Aug. 29, 1993 file photo, pop singer Michael Jackson performs during his "Dangerous" concert in National Stadium, Singapore.   (AP Photo/C.F. Tham, file)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 3 comments
kokuaguy
Jul 27, 2009 10:29 AM CDT
He had a beautiful face at one time. The tragedy is that he didn't know it. The Rolling Stone commenorative edition is great. I've admired in on the newstand but can't afford it and wouldn't want to take the time to read it if I could.
Kookey90
Jul 27, 2009 10:22 AM CDT
Dang, I'd also have a hard time looking at that face; especially if I forgot to pin on my nose.
christa2000
Jul 27, 2009 5:27 AM CDT
Poor guy.

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