Michael Jackson Talks ... to Oprah

On February 10, 1993, during his Dangerous World Tour, singer-songwriter Michael Jackson invited journalist Oprah Winfrey into his private 3,000 acre Neverland Ranch. The interview had a total of 90 million live viewers making it the highest watched live interview broadcast in history.

THE INTERVIEW

Michael Jackson Talks To Oprah
Michael Jackson and Oprah during their promotional photoshoot for the interview (1993)
Genre	Television Interview
Presented by	Oprah Winfrey
Starring	Oprah Winfrey, Michael Jackson
Production
Executive producers	Oprah Winfrey, Debra Di Maio, Wendy Roth
Production location	Neverland Valley Ranch
Original release
Release	February 10, 1993

This was Michael's first worldwide interview, and was also the very first look into Michael's private home, Neverland Valley. Of course, the interview began with Jackson talking to Winfrey about his early life and fame with the Jackson 5 and with his father under his wings. Jackson would describe his father a strict "disciplinarian' who would physically and mentally abuse him and his sibling. Oprah asked Michael why he would beat Michael and he responded with "I don't know if i was his golden child or he was a strict disciplinarian or whatever, but he was very strict." They then began to discuss different rumors that were floating among the press and Jackson denied all allegations of "bleaching his skin" and stated he was diagnosed with a skin disorder that destroyed the pigmentation of the skin and would use makeup to even the skin. Jackson's autopsy later revealed that he, in fact suffered from a pigmentation destroying skin disease called, Vitiligo. Michael was also asked personal questions including his intimacy with other women and stated that it was something that was private. He was also asked about his plastic surgery and how much he had and he stated that he had very little. He then said that he (in fact) did answer the question in his book "Moonwalker" and to read his book to find out.

They then procedded to his private theater and there, Michael talked about his craftsmanship and why he enjoyed being a performer as well as a artist. He described himself as a "Instrument of Nature" and he was the source in which God spoke through. Michael also said that he was spiritual and believed in Higher Power.

Oprah asked Michael if he could Moonwalk in "slow motion" and Michael had a brief dance on his home stage. He also beatboxed and sang the chorus from his previously released single, "Who Is It".