Michael Jackson’s Friend Finally Spills the Real Reason Behind His Famous Glove

Michael Jackson’s Friend ‘Knew the Real Reason’ He Wore Single White Glove on Right Hand

Michael Jackson’s single white glove became one of his most famous fashion choices during his career. According to actor Cicely Tyson, she knew the real reason why he wore it. Tyson shared that she had been aware of what motivated Jackson to make this iconic glove a part of his look.

Getty Images

Michael Jackson Wore His Famous White Glove to Hide a Skin Condition, Says Friend

Michael Jackson’s iconic white glove became a signature part of his look during his career. According to a friend, the glove was originally designed to hide signs of vitiligo, a condition that causes patches of skin to lose color. Jackson, who passed away in 2009, often wore the glove on his right hand.

Vitiligo affects the skin, especially on the face, neck, and hands, and is caused by a lack of melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color. It affects about 1 in every 100 people.

https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/ads?gdpr=0&us_privacy=1—&gpp_sid=-1&client=ca-pub-1773658762833587&output=html&h=280&adk=2121561433&adf=3979302052&pi=t.aa~a.95137260~i.13~rp.4&w=622&abgtt=7&fwrn=4&fwrnh=100&lmt=1726849386&num_ads=1&rafmt=1&armr=3&sem=mc&pwprc=1191565633&ad_type=text_image&format=622×280&url=https%3A%2F%2Fjokesdaddy.com%2Fmichael-jacksons-friend-finally-spills-the-real-reason-behind-his-famous-glove%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwY2xjawFagLlleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHezhKDvvy5GNJSEPgfrbmcC6oGZsziUPFEH-Od-BF5jKOuEaKNfw0z6boA_aem_wiUWwC8w9cUp9qirk4ZU_w&host=ca-host-pub-2644536267352236&fwr=0&pra=3&rh=156&rw=622&rpe=1&resp_fmts=3&wgl=1&fa=27&uach=WyJXaW5kb3dzIiwiNy4wLjAiLCJ4ODYiLCIiLCIxMjguMC42NjEzLjEzOCIsbnVsbCwwLG51bGwsIjY0IixbWyJDaHJvbWl1bSIsIjEyOC4wLjY2MTMuMTM4Il0sWyJOb3Q7QT1CcmFuZCIsIjI0LjAuMC4wIl0sWyJHb29nbGUgQ2hyb21lIiwiMTI4LjAuNjYxMy4xMzgiXV0sMF0.&dt=1726849385867&bpp=1&bdt=410&idt=1&shv=r20240918&mjsv=m202409180101&ptt=9&saldr=aa&abxe=1&cookie=ID%3D7b20416647364f5b%3AT%3D1726322449%3ART%3D1726847943%3AS%3DALNI_MZpLszTnzQ9UIpvri7rf-Nvkymgqw&gpic=UID%3D00000f01a4fcfdfa%3AT%3D1726322449%3ART%3D1726847943%3AS%3DALNI_MbY7lAlwLY5uk2o_yrVgm9rCAdHOg&eo_id_str=ID%3D3eab1fc17d3c657c%3AT%3D1726322449%3ART%3D1726847943%3AS%3DAA-AfjZ-y03aOjnfgIilO4F5CCmp&prev_fmts=0x0%2C980x280%2C622x280&nras=4&correlator=1422070135229&frm=20&pv=1&u_tz=420&u_his=1&u_h=768&u_w=1360&u_ah=728&u_aw=1360&u_cd=24&u_sd=1&dmc=8&adx=202&ady=1400&biw=1343&bih=607&scr_x=0&scr_y=0&eid=44759876%2C44759927%2C44759837%2C95339781%2C31087066%2C95338227%2C95342766%2C31087333%2C95342336&oid=2&pvsid=4009290669012551&tmod=187296524&uas=0&nvt=1&ref=https%3A%2F%2Fl.facebook.com%2F&fc=1408&brdim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C1360%2C0%2C1360%2C728%2C1360%2C607&vis=1&rsz=%7C%7Cs%7C&abl=NS&fu=128&bc=31&bz=1&td=1&tdf=0&psd=W251bGwsbnVsbCxudWxsLDFd&nt=1&ifi=4&uci=a!4&btvi=2&fsb=1&dtd=245

Late actor Cicely Tyson, who knew Jackson, shared this detail about his glove during his 2009 memorial service.

Getty Images

A single white glove became a signature accessory for the late Michael Jackson throughout his career. The glove, often worn on his right hand, was part of his iconic style. It was originally created to help cover the effects of vitiligo, a skin condition that causes patches of skin to lose their color. Jackson, who passed away in 2009, used the glove to make a fashion statement while also concealing the condition. Vitiligo affects around 1 in 100 people and is caused by a lack of melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color.

Getty Images

Late actor Cicely Tyson talked about Michael Jackson’s famous white glove in 2009 after his death.

Cicely, known for movies like *Sounder* (1972) and the TV show *How to Get Away with Murder*, spoke to CNN’s Don Lemon in an interview. She mentioned that she and Michael shared the same fashion designer in the 1980s, who worked on creating the glove.

https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/ads?gdpr=0&us_privacy=1—&gpp_sid=-1&client=ca-pub-1773658762833587&output=html&h=280&adk=2121561433&adf=2168732072&pi=t.aa~a.95137260~i.25~rp.4&w=622&abgtt=7&fwrn=4&fwrnh=100&lmt=1726849565&num_ads=1&rafmt=1&armr=3&sem=mc&pwprc=1191565633&ad_type=text_image&format=622×280&url=https%3A%2F%2Fjokesdaddy.com%2Fmichael-jacksons-friend-finally-spills-the-real-reason-behind-his-famous-glove%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwY2xjawFagLlleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHezhKDvvy5GNJSEPgfrbmcC6oGZsziUPFEH-Od-BF5jKOuEaKNfw0z6boA_aem_wiUWwC8w9cUp9qirk4ZU_w&host=ca-host-pub-2644536267352236&fwr=0&pra=3&rh=156&rw=622&rpe=1&resp_fmts=3&wgl=1&fa=27&uach=WyJXaW5kb3dzIiwiNy4wLjAiLCJ4ODYiLCIiLCIxMjguMC42NjEzLjEzOCIsbnVsbCwwLG51bGwsIjY0IixbWyJDaHJvbWl1bSIsIjEyOC4wLjY2MTMuMTM4Il0sWyJOb3Q7QT1CcmFuZCIsIjI0LjAuMC4wIl0sWyJHb29nbGUgQ2hyb21lIiwiMTI4LjAuNjYxMy4xMzgiXV0sMF0.&dt=1726849385870&bpp=1&bdt=413&idt=1&shv=r20240918&mjsv=m202409180101&ptt=9&saldr=aa&abxe=1&cookie=ID%3D7b20416647364f5b%3AT%3D1726322449%3ART%3D1726849387%3AS%3DALNI_MZpLszTnzQ9UIpvri7rf-Nvkymgqw&gpic=UID%3D00000f01a4fcfdfa%3AT%3D1726322449%3ART%3D1726849387%3AS%3DALNI_MbY7lAlwLY5uk2o_yrVgm9rCAdHOg&eo_id_str=ID%3D3eab1fc17d3c657c%3AT%3D1726322449%3ART%3D1726849387%3AS%3DAA-AfjZ-y03aOjnfgIilO4F5CCmp&prev_fmts=0x0%2C980x280%2C622x280%2C622x280&nras=5&correlator=1422070135229&frm=20&pv=1&u_tz=420&u_his=2&u_h=768&u_w=1360&u_ah=728&u_aw=1360&u_cd=24&u_sd=1&dmc=8&adx=202&ady=2774&biw=1343&bih=607&scr_x=0&scr_y=500&eid=44759876%2C44759927%2C44759837%2C95339781%2C31087066%2C95338227%2C95342766%2C31087333%2C95342336&oid=2&psts=AOrYGsnKlsHJnFTmMMe_NjQqqnASjrm5Bt_zvtW1zCOdQQs5J1RQ4BPXBH4YjhNniBqTilXfMNsPFyWP6jhUz2IZXFnBSzk%2CAOrYGslhD7Ul7xz4miXsWDt3eEDCxMLdsfzlT-C3BlNEcYnS8CqiggZG8OBsmssHthiI7e3PoiNvp9C2KbutbFR7BF1iiYgS&pvsid=4009290669012551&tmod=187296524&uas=3&nvt=1&ref=https%3A%2F%2Fl.facebook.com%2F&fc=1408&brdim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0%2C1360%2C0%2C1360%2C728%2C1360%2C607&vis=1&rsz=%7C%7Cs%7C&abl=NS&fu=128&bc=31&bz=1&td=1&tdf=0&psd=W251bGwsbnVsbCxudWxsLDFd&nt=1&ifi=5&uci=a!5&btvi=3&fsb=1&dtd=M

Cicely remembered the designer saying, “I’m doing this glove for Michael,” explaining that Michael was starting to develop vitiligo, a skin condition, on his hand. She said, “The glove was to cover it. That’s how it came about.”

When asked how she knew, Cicely replied, “I was there when he was creating it.”

Michael first wore the white glove in 1983. He later said, “I felt that one glove was cool… wearing two gloves seemed ordinary.”

Michael Jackson talked about his skin condition during a 1993 interview with Oprah Winfrey, likely referring to vitiligo, a condition that runs in his family.

Oprah asked him about the noticeable change in his skin color and addressed rumors about him possibly bleaching his skin, asking, “Is your skin lighter because you don’t like being Black?”

Michael, unaware of skin bleaching, explained, “I have a skin disorder that destroys the pigmentation of the skin. It’s something I cannot help.” He added, “When people say I don’t want to be what I am, it hurts me.”

He mentioned that he first noticed his skin changing after releasing *Thriller* in 1982. Michael said he used makeup to manage the blotches but denied bleaching his skin.

Oprah later remarked that in 1993, many people didn’t understand vitiligo and noted that it was a sensitive topic for Michael.

A beach in the 70’s. Not one over weight body. My, how the food industry destroyed us.

The Transformation of Our Bodies and Diets
In the 1970s, a visit to the beach was a showcase of lean, active bodies. People of all ages enjoyed the sun, surf, and sand with a level of fitness that seemed effortless. Fast forward to today, and the scene has drastically changed. The prevalence of overweight and obese individuals has skyrocketed, painting a stark contrast to the svelte figures of the past. This shift prompts us to examine the role of the food industry in this dramatic transformation.

The 1970s: A Different Era of Eating
During the 70s, the typical diet was markedly different from what we see today. Meals were often home-cooked, with fresh ingredients forming the backbone of family dinners. Processed foods were available but not ubiquitous. Fast food chains were fewer, and eating out was considered a treat rather than a regular occurrence. Portion sizes were smaller, and sugary snacks were less prevalent in households.

Physical activity also played a significant role in the lives of people in the 70s. Without the convenience of digital entertainment, children and adults alike spent more time outdoors, engaging in physical activities. Walking, cycling, and participating in sports were common pastimes.

The Rise of Processed Foods
The landscape began to change with the rise of processed foods and fast food chains in the late 20th century. The food industry, driven by profit, began to prioritize convenience and shelf-life over nutritional value. High-fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, and an array of artificial additives became staples in many foods. These ingredients made food cheaper and more accessible but also less healthy.

Marketing strategies targeted at children and busy adults further entrenched these unhealthy eating habits. Fast food advertisements promised quick, tasty meals at low prices, and snack companies created products that were hard to resist due to their high sugar and salt content. This aggressive marketing, combined with the convenience of ready-made meals, led to a significant increase in the consumption of unhealthy foods.

The Impact on Public Health
The consequences of these changes in diet have been profound. Rates of obesity have soared, bringing with them a host of health problems, including diabetes, heart disease, and various forms of cancer. According to the World Health Organization, worldwide obesity has nearly tripled since 1975. In many countries, the number of overweight children and adolescents has increased tenfold over the same period.

The food industry’s influence extends beyond what we eat to how we perceive food. Portion sizes have increased dramatically, and the notion of what constitutes a normal serving has become distorted. Additionally, the emphasis on convenience has led to a decline in cooking skills, with many people relying heavily on pre-packaged meals and fast food.

Moving Towards a Healthier Future
Addressing this issue requires a multifaceted approach. Public awareness campaigns can educate people about the dangers of processed foods and the benefits of a balanced diet. Governments can implement policies to regulate the marketing of unhealthy foods, particularly to children, and promote healthier options. Schools can play a crucial role by providing nutritious meals and incorporating nutrition education into their curricula.

On an individual level, making a conscious effort to prepare meals from fresh ingredients, controlling portion sizes, and increasing physical activity can help counteract the damage done by the food industry. Embracing a lifestyle reminiscent of the 70s, where home-cooked meals and outdoor activities were the norm, can pave the way towards a healthier society.

Related Posts

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*