The King and Princess of Pop: shared traits of two performers

MJ facts

Michael's elementary school teacher praised his perfect pitch, but also told the media she felt achieving superstardom at a young age had taken his childhood away. She also hinted this caused permanent damage in Michael as he didn't learn to socialize with peers his own age. The press constantly reminded the public of Michael's tendency to make friends with people far younger or older than him.

Michael first became aware of his impact on sick children when he performed for them as part of the Jackson 5. At that young age he began writing letters to them in his spare time. This fact, overlooked by most of his biographers, foreshadows the fact that latter on Michael visited as many orphanages and children's hospitals as he did concerts. He insisted on improving conditions through much needed medical equipment, cleaner facilities and competent staff as a condition for him to set foot on stage. Footage shows him playing with the children, hugging them and actively spending time with them. Michael's concern for the children of the world was constant in his work and personal life. Although many people chose to believe he was a pedophile, there is much evidence to the fact that both the Arvizo and the Chandler allegations were false and intended to destroy his career, which they effectively did. Close friends like the magician Yuri Geller, Karen Faye his make up artist  and many others have stated that Michael truly believed on healing the children of the world and would never harm a child. His Oxford speech is further proof that his strong beliefs on the subject were heartfelt.

Michael was tutored by Rose Fine, who also taught Jodie Foster. She nurtured his life time love for reading. Michael and his sister Janet covered her expenses when she grew into old age.

Neverland was seen by many as proof of excess. However, Michael took great pride in creating it and shared it with underprivileged and sick children on a regular basis. After his death, plans were made to keep the property running in a similar fashion as Graceland, but it turned out to be impossible. Today the property looks devoid of life and soul as all the furniture has been removed and the animals have been relocated. Much of Michael's joy of life was taken away from him in the second round of allegations and he fled the grounds as they reminded him of being the victim of a hoax that effectively destroyed his mental health, pride and joy.

Many people, from fans to coworkers, noticed Michael's strong effect on people around him. Several people believe he had some kind of healing power as the sick children he invited backstage would perk up and look better after Michael had touched them or hugged them. Several terminally ill children would outlive their doctor's predictions waiting for him to go back and visit them, which he always did. Michael himself believed love could heal sickness and was determined to heal the world through his actions and creating music that would inspire his fans to do the same. The This is it tour intended to spread Michael's message of love, change and healing.

Michael was inspired by Jane Goodall to write "Heal the world". The primatologist said he specifically asked for tapes of chimpanzees in distress to feel sadness when composing the song.

He was twice nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.

He appears several times in the Guiness book of records, one of them as the celebrity that contributed most to different charities.

On 2011, nearly 14 thousand fans gathered at the most iconic monuments in Mexico City to break the record for the largest crowd dancing to Thriller as a tribute to what would have been Michael's 51 birthday. Most of the fans dressed up as zombies or Michael  himself.

As a kid, Michael was inspired by black artists like James Brown and Diana Ross.

His biggest musical inspiration was Tchaikovsky. He considered every piece by him to be a winner. He used to play this and other classical composers while ridding on his Ferris wheel, alone at nights when he couldn't sleep.

One of Michael's favorite films was The sound of music. He always intended to create a work of art that was as enduring as the most famous musical film ever.
He also had a soft spot for Climb every mountain as it was the first song he performed before a live audience as a five year old schoolboy. Upon learning his neighbor Charmian Carr (Liesl Von Trapp in the movie) had become an interior decorator, Michael hired her to work on his Encino home. She created a room of mannequins that seem to be having a party. Latter on, they parted ways and she even expressed despair about his changing appearance, but assured she would treasure fond memories of picking the antique clocks that Michael loved and collected. The book Forever Liesl, a memoir by Charmaine, ends gracefully thanking Michael for his friendship.

Prince, Paris and Blanket are currently neighbors of Britney Spears as they all reside in Calabasas, California.