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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!