For Michael, the only safety to be found - either emotionally or physically - was to be the indispensable lead singer of the Jackson group. His performance in the group was a source of safety, not only from humiliation and condemnation – but from the terror of murderous attacks. This was about physical survival. For those outside, it was ‘how cute! The five-year-old is the most talented one’. But Michael’s ‘wow factor’ – his emotionally moving energy and talent – was also plausibly his way of not getting killed.
Icon no 4: Michael Jackson (part B)
Icon no 4: Michael Jackson (part B)
Icon no 4: Michael Jackson (part B)
For Michael, the only safety to be found - either emotionally or physically - was to be the indispensable lead singer of the Jackson group. His performance in the group was a source of safety, not only from humiliation and condemnation – but from the terror of murderous attacks. This was about physical survival. For those outside, it was ‘how cute! The five-year-old is the most talented one’. But Michael’s ‘wow factor’ – his emotionally moving energy and talent – was also plausibly his way of not getting killed.