Michael Jackson did not like his reflection in the mirror. He was obsessed with it, changing it many
times in an effort to love his image. In analyzing Michael Jackson’s responses given in various
interviews regarding his appearance and personal history, it becomes increasingly evident the
childhood trauma and loneliness has on mental well-being. It emerged that Michael Jackson should
have been diagnosed with Narcissistic Personality Disorder, and that had the Diagnostic and Statistical
Manual of Mental Disorders, a diagnostic tool used by the medical profession, been more clear as to the
importance of etiology, and the diagnostic features more concise and encompassing rather than fuzzy
and overlapping, Michael Jackson may have been effectively diagnosed and treated, avoiding becoming
the man in the mirror.
Michael Jackson – The Performer:
Michael Joseph Jackson (born 1958) is truly a music legend. He
became a superstar at the age of eleven as a member of his family
band The Jackson 5. His solo career earned him the title "King of
Pop". His studio albums have all become classics. Jackson is equally
famous for his high energy and complicated dance techniques such
as the Moonwalk. He died in 2009 at the age of 50.
Jackson dominated the music charts throughout the 1970s, 80s and
90s. His distinctive vocal style, rhythm and fashion were perfect for
the new music video age. MTV enthusiastically played his videos to
the world. His ‘Thriller’ video had all the excitement of a major
movie release. Jackson became a true icon of pop culture and
influenced dozens of today’s top stars.
Jackson’s personal life created significant controversy and earned
him a nickname he hated, ‘Wacko Jacko’. He angered many by
having plastic surgery and lightening his skin to look white. His
reputation was badly damaged in several high-profile child sexual
abuse cases in 2003 and 2005. The courts cleared him on both
occasions.
His awards and records are proof of the phenomenal success he
achieved. He won World Music Award's Best-Selling Pop Male Artist
of the Millennium, and was the American Music Award's Artist of the
Century. ‘Thriller’ remains the best selling album of all time. ‘Vanity
Fair’ magazine named him the "Most popular artist in the history of
show business".
Michael Jackson was “perhaps the most exciting performer of his generation” (Elber, 2009, para. 11).
He would stand on stage for a full three minutes, motionless, no music playing, bringing the crowd to a
frenzy. His attire was always militant-looking, his pants above the ankles to show his trade-mark glitter
socks, intended to draw attention to his famous footwork. The building of emotions during the first
three minutes of his concerts was beyond belief – each person feeding off the reaction of the next – a
virtual wave of emotion. Then, in his distinct fashion, Jackson would begin with a bang, grabbing his
crotch and pushing his leg into the air. His voice and dance moves both strong and commanding, his
striving for perfection and his talent were very much apparent on stage.
In watching Michael’s concerts, the surreal atmosphere of the environment emerges. If he could affect
one person, it would have a ripple effect, for “it has been repeatedly shown that people unintentionally
catch another person’s affective state” (Epstude & Mussweiler, 2009, p. 2). The excitement induced by
Michael Jackson was somewhat akin to euphoria – he took his fans to another dimension. Once this
state of euphoric social induction has been experienced persons may identify with the leader of the
experience. This explains Jackson’s ability to affect masses of people even outside of his concerts. In
essence, “comparison processes between model and observer are an important determinant of the
affective reaction to the emotion of another person” (Epstude & Mussweiler, 2009, p. 2). The social
induction such as those Michael Jackson elicited from his fans would essentially feed the needs of
someone afflicted with NPD.
Michael Jackson's Death:
La Toya Jackson, sister of Michael Jackson, reveals the truth behind her brothers death. “My brother was murdered.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kd9sADSWYA8
The Autopsy Report:
[PDF] Autopsyfiles.org - Michael Jackson Autopsy Report
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