Michael Jackson: Confronting Controversy

A Look At Ed Bradley's 2003 Interview With The King Of Pop

(CBS)  "You said in that documentary that many children have slept in your bedroom. You said...and I'm going to quote here, 'Why can't you share your bed? The most loving thing to do is to share your bed with someone,'" Bradley remarked. "As we sit here today, do you still think that it's acceptable to share your bed with children?"

"Of course. Of course. Why not?" Jackson asked. "If you're going to be a pedophile, if you're going to be Jack the Ripper, if you're going to be a murderer, it's not a good idea. That I'm not. That's how we were raised. And I met, I didn't sleep in the bed with the child. Even if I did, it's OK. I slept on the floor. I gave the bed to the child."

"But given all that you've been through...given the allegations...given the innuendo, why would you put yourself in the position where something like this could happen again?" Bradley asked.

"Well, I'm always more cautious, but I would never stop helping and loving people the way Jesus said to. He said, 'Continue to love. Always love. Bring on the children. Imitate the children. Not childish but childlike,'" Jackson replied.

Asked if he would allow one of his three children to sleep in the bed of an unrelated grown man, or to sleep in the bedroom, Jackson said, "Sure, if I know that person, trust them and love them. That's happened many times with me when I was little."

"Would you, as a parent, allow your children to sleep in the same bedroom with someone who has the suspicions and allegations that have been made against you and about you today? Would you allow that?" Bradley asked. "If you knew someone who had the same... kind of allegations...that were made against you...would you let your children...sleep in that man's bedroom?"

"If I knew the person personally, because I know how the press is. I know how people can twist the truth. If I knew the person personally, absolutely yes. Absolutely. I wouldn't have a problem with it," Jackson said.

"Do you know how this looks to a lot of people? I mean, do you understand that?" Bradley asked.

"How does what look?" Jackson asked.

"How the fact that you...," Bradley said.

"Know why? People think sex. They're thinking sex. My mind doesn't run that way. When I see children, I see the face of God. That's why I love them so much. That's what I see," Jackson said.

"Do you know any other man your age, a 45-year-old man, who shares his bedroom with children?" Bradley asked.

"Of course. Not for sex. No, that's wrong," Jackson said.

"Well, let me say, from my perspective, my experience, I don't know any 45-year-old men who are not relatives of the children who share their bedroom with other children," Bradley remarked.

"Well, what's wrong with sharing your bed?" Jackson asked. "I didn't say I slept in the bed. Even if I did sleep in the bed, it's OK. I am not going to do anything sexual to a child. It's not where my heart is. I would slit my wrists first. I would never do anything like that. That's not Michael Jackson, I'm sorry. That's someone else."

And the Michael Jackson of today is not the Michael Jackson who at one time was the number-one pop star in the world: his "Thriller" CD topped the charts, while his latest didn't crack the top 10.

Asked what these allegations have done to his career and how they have impacted his record sales, Jackson told Bradley, "My album's number one all over the world. All over the world. America's the only one, because I don't want to say too much."

"But it's not number one in the United States," Bradley pointed out.

"It's conspiracy, yeah," Jackson said. "I don't want to say too much. I'm done."

"I don't want to say much because I'm hurting. I'm really hurting," he added.

Before Jackson's attorney stopped the interview, Bradley was able to ask him one last question.

"Michael, what would you say to your fans who have supported you through all of this and who today, some of them might have questions. What would you say to them?" Bradley asked.

"Well, I would tell them I love them very much, and they've learned about me and know about me from a distance, but if you really want to know about me there is a song I wrote which is the most honest song I've ever written. It's the most autobiographical song I've ever written. It's called 'Childhood,'" Jackson said. "They should listen to it. That's the one they really should listen to."

"And thank you for your support. The fans around the world, I love you with all my heart," Jackson added. "I don't take any of it for granted, any of it. And I love them dearly, all over the world."

[Nunnally_Kallen05081987]

i agree.. Michael Jackson's "Childhood" is a very inspirational song.

[excoachken]

Yesterday over 1000 WW II veterans died, two policemen were killed in the line of duty, dozens of firemen and E.M.T.s risked their lives to saved people. Hundreds of ordinary citizens reached out to help the poor, over a million Americans volunteered to help the less fortunate, and you choose to waste all this space on one guy. At best Michael Jackson was a gifted and talented ENTERTAINER, at worst he was a mentally ill pervert, who repeatedly victimized the most innocent of our society and never paid the price for it. I realize you need to "sell" in order to have sponsors for your network and this web site, but please try a pinch of perspective while making this man of questionable character into a hero.

[DoubleHappiness88]

Officially threatened by North Korea with nuclear destruction, America is also engaged in two prolonged wars. Forty million Americans are without health insurance; many more are underinsured. The world economy is the worst since The Great Depression. Millions are loosing their jobs and homes.

News purveyors have lost all sense of importance. Anyone having to do with this outrageously disproportionate coverage should have their journalism degrees revoked. The death of Michael Jackson deserves no more than a footnote in the records of pedophilia.

Edward R. Murrow, Douglas Edwards, Frank Reynolds and Peter Jennings would be ashamed of the journalism profession and CBS.

[jenkeez]

Dear viewers
Michel Jackson did not die.
Based on the facts that had been revealed to the public, Michel Jackson is not dead.
At first, there was No Doctor?s official report on Michel?s death report.
2nd, There were No witnesses that had seen Michel?s in the Hospital.
3rd, There is No way in earth that Michel?s has No private Doctor?s in his house , even thaw , the house is rented.
4th, I believe that Michel Jackson is genius to come up with such a plan , that No body have done before , Because the whole situation is going to put Michel Jackson in the top of the music History for good.
I really do not know, what is going on Michel?s mind with this whole scenario.
But I know for sure, that Michel Jackson is not dead.
I respect Michel?s intelligence and wish him the best of luck.
Sincerely,
Mahmoud Kahlout

[Nunnally_Kallen05081987]

that maybe true but, where did you get the information that Michael Jackson is not dead?

[myamane76]

The King of Pop Michael Jackson will always be in our hearts and our minds...when ever we listen to the radio and hear his hit songs...from The islands of Hawaii to the New York City ...and All the way around the world to Japan and the whole world will never forget the man the singer the dancer....Michael Jackson
Aloha Oi Mr.King of Pop MICHAEL JACKSON

[max12005]

I am glad he is dead he will not go to hell as the devil hates him as well god has no use for him the world is a better place now thank god