Overview
MJ monument Favela Santa Marta, Rio de Janeiro. Photograph: Creative C.
We’re aware that reality is messy and complicated, contrary to overly simple, mostly false tabloid narratives.
We are also far from having all the answers and we don’t pretend we do, but some things we can say with certainty.
This is a work in progress.
Voice
Michael’s natural voice is a baritone. He has a vocal range of 3 1/4 octaves, but used the lower registers only in private. He did not use his low register in public even once.
He didn’t want to sound like his father. He was told he sounds like a frog.
Appearance
In 1984 Michael did have a burn on his scalp that forced him to wear hair pieces, later wigs. He did have body dysmorphia. He was told that his nose is too big.
He did have cosmetic surgery, although the amount has almost certainly been greatly exaggerated.
Sexuality
Michael was almost certainly straight and he kept his relationships mostly private. As a naive young man he was guided by his Jehova’s Witness faith. His views on sexuality were shaped by singing in seedy bars as a child.
Michael was almost certainly not gay, asexual, or a pedophile.
Image vs Reality
Many people confuse MJ’s public image with his true identity. The Peter Pan persona was a crafted facade, not the reality. Privately he was an adult, and just a regular guy.
He was not obligated to share his private life with us, and when he did he was often abused as a result.
Allegations
Because it is almost impossible to prove a negative, that he didn’t do anything, we will never know with absolute certainty. Only those who were there can know.
The allegations are all about what it looks like. Nevertheless, the facts point towards him being innocent.