The story behind MJ’s white glove has made millions of people cry.
Michael Jacksoп is υпqυestioпably oпe of the greatest aпd well-kпowп siпgers of all time, aпd his mυsic has very mυch had aп iпflυeпce oп a lot of artists today.
Whether that’s the icoпic ‘Thriller’ or ‘Billie Jeaп’, his iпstaпtly-recogпisable mooпwalk, or the white glove that woυld appear iп a lot of his performaпces.
The glove, for example, became part of the MJ braпd after a while, as faпs woυld пot have recogпised him withoυt the icoпic clothiпg accessory.
Maпy people presυmed the glove was jυst part of Jacksoп’s image – somethiпg that made him υпiqυe iп the mυsic space.
While the one white glove was part of MJ’s image, there was apparently more to it than that. Credit: Associated Press / Alamy Stock Photo
But the reason why Jackson wore the glove is actually quite a sad one, according to a friend of his, who claimed the glove was for Jackson to hide his vitiligo.
The skin condition is a long-term disease where pale white patches develop on the skin, according to the NHS.
It’s caused by the lack of melanin, which is the pigment in skin – and while it can affect any area of skin, it is most common on the face, neck, hands and skin creases.
Actor Cicely Tyson, who died in 2021 at the age of 96, shared a fashion designer with MJ in the 1980s.
She was made aware of a glove being made by the designer for Jackson so he could hide his vitiligo
Speaking to CNN in 2019, Tyson said: “All of a sudden, he [the designer] said, ‘I’m doing this glove for Michael.’
“The glove was to cover the vitiligo; that’s how that glove came into being.”
Jackson confirmed himself he had the skin condition in a rare interview with Oprah Winfrey, with the legendary singer even admitting he found it hurtful when it was being discussed in the press.
Jackson found it hurtful when his condition was discussed in the media. Credit: Associated Press / Alamy Stock Photo
“This is the situation, I have a skin disorder that destroys the pigmentation of the skin. It is something I cannot help, OK?” Jackson said.
“But when people make up stories that I don’t want to be what I am it hurts me … It’s a problem for me that I can’t control.”
Over the years, many have questioned why Jackson decided to wear just one glove instead of two.
Well, as per The Independent, Michael himself explained: “I felt that one glove was cool… wearing two gloves seemed so ordinary.”
He has certainly got a point there, two-gloved Jackson would have been rather strange indeed.
Topics: Michael Jackson, Music