Back in 1983, Michael Jackson had the world spellbound when he performed the moonwalk dance in 1983. The shimmering white gloves sold back in 2009 for $350,000. Jackson is one musician that was worshipped by people all over the world starting from his days with the Jackson five to the time he started raking in Grammy awards. One thing that stood him out of the crowd aside his symbolic moonwalk dance and his beautiful voice was his hand glove. So, why did Michael Jackson wear a glove?
What made Michael Jackson wear a Glove?
One of the most notable features of Jackson’s iconic music career was his glove. It should, however, be noted that this glove did not start as a thing of choice. As you may already know, his appearance witnessed a drastic change at a point in time. This is mainly because he suffered from a skin condition known as vitiligo which is a situation where the skin loses its some or all of its pigmentation. It is said that he wears one glove on one of his hands because the condition first started on one of his hands (the left hand). It made its first appearance during the performance of Billie Jean in 1983. The glove was to hide the patches that were soon to spread to other parts of his body. This soon made Jackson lose his African American looks.
Where Is Michael Jackson’s Glove?
Jackson had several gloves. For instance, the one which he wore at the very famous Motown 25 performance is stored up in the warehouse along with other possessions. The gloves which were worn for other performances have since been auctioned off and are now in a private collection. A number of them are on display at the Hard Rock Cafes spread across the world. One of them is displayed at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Some of the gloves have however been loaned to some touring exhibits.
Who Was Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson was born on the 29th day of August 1958 and eventually died on the 25th of June 2009. He was an American entertainer who ruled the entertainment scene for more than four decades starting as a child star with the Jackson 5 and then venturing out to become a solo artist. By the middle of the 1980s, it became obvious that Jackson’s appearance had begun to change. The changes observed on his face especially his nose brought about speculation that he had carried out cosmetic surgery and soon his skin tone became a lot lighter.
He was however diagnosed with vitiligo which is a skin condition that leads to white patches on a person’s skin as well as sensitivity to sunlight. To treat this condition, he made use of makeup and skin whitening creams to hide the effect of the illness. The creams would then make his skin lighter. The lighter skin would go on to cause a lot of criticisms from people who suggested that he was trying hard to become white. He, however, debunked the claim and said he was not bleaching either was he trying to become white.
Jackson’s Many Challenges
Michael Jackson and his siblings claimed that they had been abused psychologically and physically by the father. Their father Joe later admitted to having whipped them when they were kids even though he rejected the notion that he abused them. However, the whippings Jackson endured as a child may have caused some of the health issues he had to endure in the latter part of his life. There is speculation from physicians that he suffered from body dysmorphic disorder.
By the 1990s, Jackson had already become quite dependent on prescription drugs such as sedatives and pain killers. This drug use was later traced to burns he had suffered to his skin years ago. With his dependence on drugs, Jackson’s health soon deteriorated and he soon went into rehabilitation.
While he was preparing for some comeback concerts which were scheduled to start in 2009, Jackson kicked the bucket after consuming high levels of benzodiazepine intoxication and acute propofol after he suffered a heart attack in 2009. His doctor was sentenced to four years in prison for his death on charges of involuntary manslaughter.
What Was The Issue With Jackson’s Skin Color?
Michael Jackson’s skin was of medium-brown tone during his youth. However, beginning from the mid-1980s, his skin grew paler. This change in his complexion drew coverage from the media with some people suggesting that he had been bleaching. His dermatologist named Arnold Klein said he saw signs that Jackson suffered from vitiligo in 1983. Also, he claimed to have observed discoid lupus erythematosus on him. The effects of the Vitiligo on Jackson were one that leads to some psychological issues on Jackson.
At some point, some African American experts claimed that Jackson was not a good role model for the black American youths. In 1993, Jackson told Oprah Winfrey that he does not know of anything like skin bleaching and has never seen it. He made it clear that he suffered from vitiligo and was using some techniques to give his skin an even tone. This interview was watched by over 62 million people. This interview also stirred up a public discourse on the issue of vitiligo which was not a known condition back then.
Jackson made it very clear that he was proud to be a black man saying that he loved every race on planet earth.
After his death, some tubes of hydroquinone and benoquin were discovered in his home. These creams are known to be used in the treatment of vitiligo. It is also on record that Jackson covered his skin condition by putting on long pants and long sleeves. Also, Jackson made it a point to avoid putting on patterned clothes to avoid drawing attention to his disorder.
Jackson’s Autopsy
The autopsy carried out on Jackson revealed that he suffered from vitiligo. It was discovered that his skin had reduced melanocyte which is the skin cell that is active in skin pigmentation.
It should be noted that vitiligo takes place in three distinct patterns. In the case of segmental depigmentation, only one part of a person’s body gets affected. Generalized depigmentation, on the other hand, involves many parts of a person’s body. It was however discovered from the autopsy that Jackson had focal depigmentation which is something that happens in a few areas of the body. In the case of Jackson, five areas were detected to have been affected by the condition.
What Cosmetic Procedures Did Jackson Take Part In?
it was discovered over time that Jackson’s facial structures started changing. It was speculated by surgeons he had undergone forehead lift, altered lips, and cheekbone surgery. People who were close to the singer claimed that as of 1990 he had passed through ten surgical procedures. But in his book, Jackson claimed that the changes to his facial structure were a result of puberty, weight loss, vegetarian diet, and stage lighting. He came out to deny allegations that he had made some alteration to his eyes.
In 1992, the Daily Mirror published a full-page picture supposedly of Jackson’s face and claimed that his face was hideously disfigured as a result of plastic surgery. Jackson filed charges and the issue was settled out of court. Reports in the media, however, stated that the autopsy carried out on him showed a scar on either side of his nostrils and one behind either ear. It was also claimed that he had two scars on his neck. As for his cheekbone, he claimed that he got that from his father’s Indian blood.
What Health Concerns Did Jackson Exhibit
As the years went by, Jackson had a few struggles with several medical issues as covered b the media. In 1984, he was treated for a scalp burn after his hair was engulfed with fire while in a shoot. In 2009, he was admitted to the Santa Monica hospital battling chest pains. However, when tests were carried out it was discovered that he had no abnormalities. It was discovered that the pains were a result of dance practice that lead to bruises. Several concerts got canceled as a result of addiction issues.
Final Word
Every aspect of Jackson’s life is worthy of discourse. The gloves he wore were a part of him and his image. The reason he wore his trademark gloves is something that would be debated for years to come. Michael Jackson the legend certainly lives on!
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