Those pics are funny. I saw the first one a long time ago, but it's still funny.
I'd rather see one more realistic though. One without facial hair and without graying hair. Just one that shows what he might have looked like today without the afflictions he was burdened with.
But no matter what Michael looked like, I've always appreciated him for his work and I've always appreciated him for who he was as a human being.
As far as his looks over the years are concerned....I first became a fan during the heights of the Thriller era. That's the Mike look I will always love the most, with the military regalia and the one glove, etc.
I remember the first time I saw the cover to the Bad record back in '87. I'll admit, initially I was taken aback by how light his skin was. Many people my age were. I didn't exactly know what was going on, but I just put the needle on the record and quickly got over it and accepted him anyway. I figured there must be some valid reason behind it, but I just didn't know what it was at the time.
And then when I watched the video for Black or White debut (it was an incredible multi-cast across several channels....I mean for real...it was an EVENT!), I thought to myself "Man, what happened to his skin?"
BUT THEN....in the Oprah interview he revealed his skin condition and then finally I understood. I wish he would've let everybody know earlier. I'm just saying that because it would've been easier for me (and other fans) to deal with the haters at that time. I had friends in the early 90's telling me how they used to like him but "anymore he don't wanna be black....he ain't proud of being black", etc, etc. And I'd defend the **** out of him but I didn't have anything concrete to base it on....until the Oprah interview.
I understand Mike's need to keep his stuff private at the time, but seriously...people were talking...and it would've helped him....God bless him...it would've helped him if he would've come out with the vitiligo stuff earlier.
Anyway....after that Oprah interview....I finally had some ammo to use in my defense for him. But it really was bittersweet. On one hand, I was glad to finally have some solid stuff to defend him with against the haters, but on the other hand I was so sad for him. I almost had wished that it was self-inflicted so it was under his control....but sadly....it wasn't. And that really made me sad for him. I mean....Mike felt like family to me as a kid. Wait...maybe even more than that. Back in the day (esp. the early 80's Thriller era) he felt maybe even more like an angel than a family member. It's hard to explain. But I'm sure a lot of peeps know what I mean.....esp. if you were around back then.
Anyway...lol....as far as this topic goes.....the one thing I'd be interested in seeing is what Mike might have looked like without the diseases like vitiligo and such. As far as surgery goes....whatever....cuz Mike did what he felt he had to do for the reasons he had...and he had VERY valid reasons for feeling the way he did....God bless him and rest his sweet soul.
To be honest....completely honest here......the only thing I really didn't like about Mike's looks over the years was the straight hair lol. From the first time I saw the video for 'Remember The Time' I really couldn't dig it at all...lol But besides that....Mike's looks was cool with me.
Real talk....Michael was always....(and I'm straight so don't take this wrong....I see him as family.....or maybe even more like I said above)....a beautiful man with a beautiful soul....and we should all strive to be more like Mike the same way Mike strived to be holy like our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
We will always miss you here on earth, Michael! May you be in peace and we look forward to singing with you in heaven one of these days. Until then, we gonna represent and carry forth your pure, kind-hearted legacy!
