Wikipedia, Michael Jackson Life Story
Someone put a comment on my blog asking if I was going to post about Michael Jackson’s death. I hadn’t planned to, but my husband and I just watched a show about the Michael Jackson life story with an in-depth interview of Michael Jackson.
As I watched Michael Jackson being interviewed about his early life and the Jackson 5, I thought about how so much fame at an early age must have affected his life. The more I listened to the Michael Jackson life story, the sadder I felt about all the tragedy and difficulties in his life, and his premature death.
Born in 1958, Michael was only 6 or 7 when he started performing with the Jackson Five. They released their first single, “Big Boy,” in January 1968 when he was only 9. This little-known single was released under the label Steeltown Records before the Jackson 5 signed with Motown.
For those who have not heard it, I found “Big Boy” on YouTube. I have included it here for you to hear — not a big hit, but a good song.
(Sorry, I had a link to “Big Boy” on YouTube but had to remove it since the video was removed from YouTube for incorrect usage.)
Not too long after that came the release of their first number one hit song, “I Want You Back,” in 1969, when Michael was 10. Three more number one hit singles soon followed: “ABC,” “The Love You Save,” and “I’ll Be There.”
Michael was instantly put into the limelight as the whole world witnessed his amazing talent in singing, dancing, and performing. I know I was in awe as I watched him perform.
Of course, many other hits came after that, including one of my favorites,”Thriller,” with the great music video that I still enjoy watching.
What can you learn from the Michael Jackson life story?
The Michael Jackson life story has so much in common with the life stories of so many famous child actors and performers. They achieve early fame and fortune, but then they experience so much trouble and pain later in life.
How does so much fame and stardom at such an early age affect a child’s life? How can any parent wish a life like this for his/her child? How can parents help a child actor or performer avoid a similar fate?
Part of the tragedy for Michael Jackson had to do with other things than just his great talent and being a star at such an early age. It is believed that his father was abusive.
Michael reported that his father stood watching he and his brothers as they rehearsed their musical numbers with a belt in hand, and when one of them messed up the dance steps, he used the belt on them. This obviously put a great deal of pressure on them during rehearsals, and I’m sure made something that should have been fun into something that was very stressful.
It is stories such as his that make so many people view the show business industry in such a negative light. But there are many child actors and performers who go on to become happy and well-adjusted teens and young adults. And there are many stage parents who are kind and supportive to their children in the entertainment industry.
Let this remind you, as a stage parent, not to put so much pressure on your young actor or performer. A child gives up so much of a normal life already to become a performer or actor. What they need is your support and love and not constant criticism (or worse).
For more information related to children and show business, please sign up for Your Young Actor’s Newsletter and get a mini-course on getting started in show business.
With great sadness,
Debbie Sikkema
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11 comments
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Jim@Pest Control Rockford
July 10, 2009 at 9:33 am (UTC -8) Link to this comment
nice post, i think mj had an interesting life and great and tragic things happened in it and it is important to learn from it.
Remaklus
July 11, 2009 at 12:57 am (UTC -8) Link to this comment
I looked into what you talked about in this article and I had to convince myself that you were wrong. I looked up the info and it seems you are 100% correct in your statements. Because of this, I have subscribed myself to your RSS feed. Keep up the great work here.
derekpm
July 12, 2009 at 8:29 pm (UTC -8) Link to this comment
Rather interesting. Has few times re-read for this purpose to remember. Thanks for interesting article. Waiting for trackback
Anonymous
July 23, 2009 at 3:21 pm (UTC -8) Link to this comment
Thanks for posting about this, I would love to read more about this topic.
Mark Slater @healthy lifestyle
July 26, 2009 at 8:26 am (UTC -8) Link to this comment
well, i have learned how to regain a child like nature while being matured, Michael was innocent like a child, thou he did remained in to several controversies but that was his bad luck, to fans, he will always remain an idol of Love and forgiveness.
Mark@order flavored coffee
August 10, 2009 at 2:06 pm (UTC -8) Link to this comment
This is such a sad story! Especially when you see the example of how Michael Jackson’s family is reacting after his death, and his father is incredibly insensitive.
MSJ
August 14, 2009 at 8:44 am (UTC -8) Link to this comment
I had my daughter in acting classes for about 1 year. She recently sign with an agent 1 month ago and just got cast for a SAG featured film in Texas. I have read in books and many websites not to think my journey has ended just because she got an agent. Now, my agent did not find me the part. I look daily to see any castings in Texas. I called my agent to let them know she had been casted as lead/principal and she makes it seem like I did a wrong thing. She did not tell me, but I can tell by the commets she makes. She said my daughter will only be making 100 dollars a day and they will not pay of loding or travel expenses. I looked up the film and they do pay for everything and receives more than 100 dollars a day. I seen a oppurunity for her to be in SAG to receive better roles and to build her resume. Do you think I did wrong? Can you please tell me what you think?
Debbie Sikkema
August 20, 2009 at 7:34 am (UTC -8) Link to this comment
Honestly, I think what you did is a good thing and not wrong. BUT I am not your agent. I am not sure why your agent is not happy about you getting your daughter a principal role in a SAG feature film. If the pay is 100 per day, sounds like it is an ultra-low budget SAG film? I say congratulations on her getting a job so quickly! I advise you make an appointment with the agent and go in and talk heart to heart to find out exactly what they think you did wrong and what they expect from you and what you should or should not do. We had a manager who did not allow us to do any self-submissions of any kind or do any theatre or student or free projects or very low-paying ones, and we eventually decided to leave her due to this. My daughter’s agency is all for us doing self-submissions, though. The more things you can add to a resume, the better it is, is my opinion. Perhaps the agent is upset that you did not involve them earlier in the process so they could negotiate a better contract for your daughter as that is one things agents do. Perhaps they could’ve gotten an extra 10% on top of the $100 or some travel expenses, and that may be what they are upset about. Talking to them about it is the only way to find out what the issue is and to make things right by apologizing if you did something you should not have and also to find out exactly what you should do the next time. Good luck and congratulations on the booking! –Debbie
myrmidonguild
September 4, 2009 at 2:44 am (UTC -8) Link to this comment
Thanks for the info
last minute
July 19, 2012 at 4:01 am (UTC -8) Link to this comment
Thank you for every other informative blog. Where else may just I get that kind of info written in such an ideal manner? I’ve a mission that I am just now running on, and I’ve been at the look out for such info.
Bex
March 15, 2014 at 2:44 am (UTC -8) Link to this comment
Great tip about parents not being pushy with their kids. I believe it’s all about guiding your kids while being a parent still. I have seen how parents want to help as much as possible, so I have created a program to help those parents -http://www.soyourkidwantstobeastar.com !