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"Prevue" Magazine Interview

Publication date range confirmed in Amazon listing (archived)

He's bad! He's bad! In fact, he's more than bad, he's a 5'10" dynamo whose previous album skyrocketed to a record-breaking 38 million in sales. He's the baddest of the bad, with a battery of rock videos assaulting our pop senses like Pepsi after peanuts. After a four-year Pepsi after peanuts. After a four-year silence (except for an eyeful of TV commercials and a short science-fantasy fx thriller), the 29-year-old teen idol has launched a new album into the musical galaxy, and followed-up with a world tour that has ignited Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, and the USA. Pausing for a heartbeat in his schedule, the elusive performer gave an exclusive interview to "Prevue" on his once and future plans.

PREVUE: There was conjecture after the 1984 Victory tour with your brothers that you wouldn't perform in public again. And here you are, soloing.

JACKSON: I'd been off the stage for years and wanted to perform again. It's been in the planning stages for a long time; all carefully worked out to my specifications.

PREVUE: Does that indicate you're less introverted this time around?

JACKSON: I will always be shy, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Being soft-spoken or secure within oneself is a virtue—especially in Japan.

PREVUE: You're preparing to appear in another feature film. [Jackson was in 1978's "The Wiz".] Have you discussed it with Francis Coppola, who helmed Captain EO, or Steven Spielberg, who considered you for this "Peter Pan" project?

JACKSON: It's too soon to discuss that yet. I don't want to be mysterious, but, it's business, so I can't say, except to tell you it will have a message of peace.

PREVUE: Are you satisfied with "Captain EO", and how it's been handled in Disney parks?

JACKSON: Yes; we all worked on it very hard. I like the special effects and the message behind the film.

PREVUE: It's been reported that the 18-minute adventure hasn't opened in Tokyo's Disneyland because you're asking too much for the screening rights.

JACKSON: I don't know anything about that.

PREVUE: Another Disneyland is due to be built near Paris, where your friend Diana Ross has bought a home. There have been rumors you've considered doing the same.

JACKSON: Both would be good reasons to live there, but I have no plans to move to France.

PREVUE: Ross discovered the Jacksons when you were only ten. Are you still close?

JACKSON: Yes, *very* close. When we don't see each other, we talk on the phone. She's in Connecticut with her Norwegian husband, Arne Naes and their baby son, a lot of the time.

PREVUE: There's an expectation that the two of you will record together again.

JACKSON: I've written songs for Diana, but we haven't been able to sing together for some time. We sing *in spirit*; we're always together.

PREVUE: You have moved away from the Jehovah's Witnesses, though, even though you were extremely involved with them.

JACKSON: That's entirely a personal matter.

PREVUE: As an arch-conservative group, they were allegedly disenchanted with your image. Was your departure voluntary?

JACKSON: I think the future illuminates our steps for ourselves and for others, but I'd rather not discuss my spiritual beliefs now.

PREVUE: It's been said you believe that instead of writing your songs, you pluck them for the universal consciousness, which some call God. Is your music inspired by God?

JACKSON: It can be interpreted that way, but I don't want to elaborate.

PREVUE: While we're on the subject of music, how do you respond to the observation that your sister's moves are similar to yours?

JACKSON: I think there is a Jackson *style*, and that Janet is finally doing what she always wanted to do.

PREVUE: How do you feel about the observation that she's more boyish—or tom-boyish—than her brother?

JACKSON: Janet is always her own person, and, like the rest of the family, very talented. But, everything is up to the public—they choose who they're interested in most and what they like about them.

PREVUE: Are there any other close female friends in your private life?

JACKSON: I like to think *everyone* I know is a friend.

PREVUE: You've become friends with Liz Taylor, socializing in Hollywood and your Encino home.

JACKSON: Miss Taylor is a very smart lady, filled with a sense of joy and wonder.

PREVUE: She's campaigned heavily against AIDS; have you considered reinforcing her efforts?

JACKSON: It's one of the pressing issues of our time, and deserves everyone's support.

PREVUE: Both morally and financially. Is it bothersome when the media speculates your worth could top $1 billion?

JACKSON: I don't think that's very interesting. They write all kinds of things, but that isn't the worst. I don't read most of it, though. If a writer or reviewer has a genuine desire to communicate to the consuming public, that's all right, but I don't want to interpret what motivates negative reviewers. But, why dwell on it? I concentrate on my work, giving pleasure to others.

PREVUE: Your popularity goes well beyond that. For example, you've almost made androgyny respectable.

JACKSON: Well, everyone is entitled to be their own unique, individual self.

PREVUE: Then, as a very individualistic superstar, what do you want most for the future?

JACKSON: Peace and health for everyone—*that's* the ultimate!