Billy's Blog

My Final Interview With Michael Jackson


Comments (25)

Billy Bush and Michael Jackson in Ireland (Oct. 2006)What did God say when Michael arrived?  DID he arrive? Was he consoled and embraced and ultimately released from all of his childhood pain or was he admonished for what many suspect but thankfully don't have confirmed? 

 

There is an inescapable question mark as to the ethics and balance of Michael Jackson that goes with him to his grave. It is most assuredly not what Michael had in mind when he set out to be pop music's "P.T. Barnum", the man in the middle of the circus.

 

Although, let's be real, anyone who reportedly invites a gossip tabloid to shoot him in a hyperbaric chamber courts the bizarre.

 

I was the last person to get Michael Jackson to go on camera. Technically, it was his last interview as I asked some questions and he answered them, but its not one I'd choose to hang my hat on.  Michael was alternately petrified and obsessed with my camera. He loved the small HD handheld 24P size camera and demanded to know where he could get one. But, before the cameras got rolling, while sitting in the small kitchen of his temporary Irish countryside cottage, Michael asked, "Is 5 minutes ok?"

Interviews hadn't gone well for him in their aftermath since pre-Oprah in 1993.

 

Our meeting took place in October 2006 about 2 hours outside of Dublin in a recording studio. Will.i.am of The Black Eyed Peas was there, mixing and collaborating with Michael.  Michael was much relieved to have Will join us and in truth, Will mostly did the talking. When the music came on, MJ started tapping and moving. He got up and danced, he sang. I was 8 feet away. Wow. I'll always have that.

 

Of course my intent was to get him relaxed and talkative. It never really happened cuz that wall wasn't coming down. I saw the pain in Michael. I knew he could not take one more ounce of disappointment.  Michael simply wanted to be universally adored. Loved by ALL.  That leads to the ultimate conclusion of his death:

 

Michael will never be disappointed again. He is right now universally adored. His legacy of hits and impact on music and everyone that came after him is undeniable and EVERYONE in the music community will see to it that THAT wall does not come down. Michael will be immortalized like Elvis, Lennon and JFK. Michael never met an honor he did not want to accept. The love of yesterday and today means so much to him, so I'm sure he is finally.... happy. But back to God.

 

What did God say? "You are forgiven?", "I'm sorry?", "I made Quincy Jones, Berry Gordy and John Landis as well as Joe and Katherine, so therefore I made  YOU!"? "You should have trusted Billy Bush and loosened up. He was NOT there to 'catch' you in any way?" (My personal regret related choice).

 

The enigma of that scenario is very much like its subjects, The Lord of Hosts and the King of Pop.

25 Comments

Romanov said:

He to be the king of the pop,to contribute great in culture of pop.A rush of world to forget to do,Michael jackson it The Lord !.Romanov.

May said:

When I hear the name Michael Joseph Jackson, all that comes to my mind, is, King of Music. His music is like a biography and soundtrack to my life. It is just sad that many people did not give Michael the chance. I think it is extremely sad that Michael Jackson earns respect after his dead. When he was alive, people only concerned their selves with the negative aspects of Michael Jackson, and judged him to the bottom most pit of hell. They forgot the fact that he had feelings. When I watched him talk about how he felt hurt and ashamed that people called him all this malicious names, I was just shocked. Watching the television now, and seeing all this people talk about the positives aspects of Michael Jackson also saddens me. I personally think that if people could have treated Michael Jackson in the same manner that they treat him now before 2:26 pm on Thursday, I think Michael Jackson would have still being alive. I personally think that all the negative aspects that the media focused on while Michael Jackson was alive greatly contributed to the painful, sad, and lonely life that he lived I know that Michael Jackson is now happy and peaceful in heaven. My love, support, prayers, and condolence go out to his family, especially his three children
May your soul rest in peace Michael.
You will forever live in my heart.

Lori Hillis-Jerome , Shaunavon SK said:

The world will miss Michael Jackson. Words cannot express how my heart feels to know that we will never hear him sing live again. I grew up with Michael (I am just 5 yrs younger than he) and it feels like a part of me has died. My heart and thoughts and all the bright white light I can send are with the family of Michael, especially his children.

If anything, his passion toward music and inspiration that he passed to others was his greatest legacy worth appreciating.

sunny said:

It would be been nice if you could be more fair to Michael Jackson. I don't believe he courted a gossip tabloid to shoot him in a hyperbaric chamber. If you listen back to his Oprah Interview, he explains that he was simply visiting a burn unit and was interested in the inside of the unit (used for burn patients) and someone snapped a picture and wrote a false story and sold it around the world.

You also seem to imply that he was unhappy with the press. Did you (or could you even expect) that a human being would feel otherwise. He was crucified in the press. When you feel attacked, a person often withdraws. I think it is rather understandable.

I understand that you write for an entertainment magazine. But you are first and foremost, a human being first. I hope you realize that the consideration you are giving him is what you can also expect to receive, so I hope you would think to be more fair. Nothing more, nothing less. But at least fair.

You go so far as to imply whether he went to heaven or not? The law of physics tells us that good actions bring good results and bad actions bring bad results (also known as the law of karma). Are you implying that this human being had no good actions? How well did you know him or his life? It seemed he gave a lot of himself for the good of others. He brought a magical era in music for the world. How many others have done that?

I am not trying to defend him, I don't know him. I just think from what he has said and done, he deserved a fair shake. I came here to this site looking for your interview, since you said it was his last interview with you. I was disappointed you couldn't do more justice to this human being.

sunny said:

I also wanted to add, it might be nice if you could read what some of the people who knew him had to say about him - the short essays seem full of candor and honesty and love for this human being who they knew for many years:

Deepak Chopra:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/deepak-chopra/a-tribute-to-my-friend-mi_b_221268.html

Lisa Marie Presley's myspace page
http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=42291868&blogId=497035326

and the most personal of them all:
Deepak Chopra's son Gotham Chopra's statement:
http://www.intent.com/gothamchopra/blog/my-friend-mike

raheem murray said:

i always loved you not as a lover not as a friend but as a father and you will always be my father micheal jackson you haved reach out to me when my family abused me and you cared for me with your music and as you say my father ill never let you part you will always be in my heart.
with love and respect,
your son
raheem murray

Bonnie Barnes said:

Mr Bush,
As Sunny commented on here I was curious when you said This was "technically" Michael Jackson's' last interview,so I wanted to read the article.
Well I was Totally disappointed to say the least.
The sad truth is people read tabloid crap,and NEVER read the facts.This man was A great humanitarian
FACT, He was found NOT guilty In,what was It 2002,03? Trial for molestation among other charges brought against him Fact, He was A Eccentric artist,Fact,he has explained all of the questions and allegations surrounding his life
It infuriates me that you imply whether he went to heaven or not?? Trust me If you believe in God,Know that If anyone deserves to have eternal Life in Heaven,IT is Michael Jackson, Most of us only wish we could do 1/4 of what he has done In this world for the 39+ charities alone ,Which is another fun fact for you that you can read about In the Guinness Book Of world Records, If I sound angry I am The world Lost an Icon That was larger than Life That The media has crucified,
But Most Importantly A mother Lost A son,3 Children Lost A father.....
I pray for his family now have comfort knowing Michaels torchered soul is now at peace.
I also think It is very sad It took this for people to realize what an amazing human being he was.
Bonnie Tampa, Fl

Karo said:

Death

Why hate Death, why?
Death brings glory to you
You may be despised and rejected
Hated and considered irrelevant
But alas comes Death!
And you are treated with some respect
People say so many good things about you
You are glorified
You are honored
Your soul rests in perfect peace
Thanks to Death who makes it so

copyright 2007 Karo E.K.D. Akamune

MJ: R.I.P.

Ana said:

Michael Jackson is part of everybody's life!
RIP
Love U MJ

Damodar said:

MJ miss you so much...R.I.P

Kelly said:

Michael Jackson will be miss dearly. They will never be another human in life like him. Michael have set records and broke barriers he was truly Gods gift in my eyes. I am very sad by the lost of him but yet I am happy that he is in peace. He no longer have to live in the public eye now he can rest his soul and be the Michael that he always wanted to be. May God finally rest his soul

Excellent blog! Only God and Michael Jackson will know the truth in the end. I for one will miss Michael's talent.

I sure hope MJ's death was not due to his death equity. I read a thrilling book called Death Equity by Kimberly Bridges. Hospitals do routine procedures and wealthy people DIE! They die because they are worth more DEAD than alive.

To read the interesting article:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1884738/michael_jacksons_deatha_hospital_murder.html?cat=49

As sad and scary as it is, this would make an excellent mind boggling movie.

RIP MJ!

Keep up the awesome work Access Hollywood!

kathy ramo said:

Today is a sad and joyous day. I really loved MJ there will never be another one like him. Also I feel for his kids they are the innocent ones in this whole thing todays memorial was one of the best things that been on tv ever iam sure that everyone learned that life is short and dont spend more time judging people on the out side because all in all the inside (HEART) is what really counts. also is there any way that the fans that were not able to get in the staples center today or they might have been to far away to even see the staples center up close will be able to get the programs for his memorial if so i would be honored to have one my address is Ms Kathy Ramo 329 Park Ave Orange NJ 07050 Thank you for taking the time to read this

fgf said:

Whats this God stuff?

WinkLady said:

I still can't believe that he is gone. I miss him a lot.

Abigail Stevens said:

I have loved Michael Jackson since he was 10 years old performing with the Jackson 5. He always seemed old beyond his years. I have always been outraged at how the media portrayed him and how hurt he was by this. Michael was one of the greatest entertainers of our time, but he was also a humanitarian. If you looked at his rare interviews and listened to his song lyrics you would see that he was a loving, kind, and gentle soul who was very concerned with healing our world and healing the world's children. He was a fantastic father as well. In spite of his own personal demons that he had to battle (and who doesn't have personal demons to battle), he is worthy of being remembered for the positive things he has done. I will miss him very much, but I have his music and his videos to always remember him by. I pray that his lovely children and his family will be able to heal from their loss, but I hope that they will find comfort in knowing that many of Michael's fans love him very, very much.

Darlene Barrett said:

I personally think that the media should realize that they also have some of MJ’s blood on their hands. I can’t imagine the life he lived at all, from a distance it looks so very sad and at least now he can rest in peace. The horrible things that have been written time and time again about him and the unspeakable things that he was accused of doing and pretty much convicted in the public eye because of the media is so gut wrenching. The last trial broke his spirit so badly, the one place he loved so so much he felt he could never go back to. Society loved him as child performing for us and bringing us all such joy and what did we give him in return? How sad and pathetic society is.. The bottom line is this, MJ has met his maker and has been judged by the one and only who can judge and this is a lesson for everyone, don’t be so quick to judge no matter what you read on the different tabloid. This man did so much good and wanted this world to be a better place for everyone and the way we treated him was just down right out shameful. It is very sad and very tragic life and my stomach clinch every time I think what he must have endured. All the pain, hurt and loneliness he felt. All he ever wanted was to make us all happy and bring good to our lives and here his was so very sad because of it. God has taken his gift back from us because we truly were very ungrateful and MJ is finally at peace and I am sure very happy. I believe and will always believe he was truly an angle sent from above, a very pure loving and kind person. We all could learn something from this great man.

KimU said:

In life Michael tried to give all that he could. To the point that he was pushed into a room where the walls were closing in and the windows smaller all the time. Through his children he was able to live and be loved. Unfortunately the drugs became his crutch. If any of us had to live the life he had (money or no money) we most likely would of ended where he did.
What saddens me is during the molestation case and the police going through Neverland. Nothing was followed up on by the police in regards to the drugs they found. This was a man crying for help, crying for love that he never got when he really needed it. This is a man who never had the simple pleasures in life as child we take for granted.
If they did follow up on the drugs they found back then. We possibly could of saved Anna Nicole, her son and even Heath Ledger, not to mention the many who have parished due to drug abuse. Why does it take a super star to die to make change? This is an epidemic on all levels, the richest to the poorest.
Let's make a postive thing happen out of loosing Michael! Families need to be more diligent with their loved ones. Find help for them, before there is no more time and they are gone.

natalie said:

Mr Bush, please refrain from publicizing your opinion about Micheal Jackson, since you barely know the man. Remember you were supposed to be just a fly on the wall during your so-call last interview with MJ. Who are you to even question MJ's acceptance into heaven? Words are cheap, but they can kill. So please don't comment on things that you don't know about. Go read up on all the interview transcripts of MJ or watch them live on Youtube, and you will find that MJ has always been very consistent about his belief, goal, and vision. Meanwhile, please keep your inconsiderate comments to yourself.

Maria corleone said:

In have to agree with Natalie,Michael was too nioce for the press,and as far asi am concerned 'THEY 'contributed greatly to his ,sadness.Look at the way he was interviewed on National T.V.?All they enjoyed doin was making him,look like he was some sort of molestor weirdo ,who buily Nevrland to seduce littleboys!!!!yet he spent 10 million $$$yrly to keep it running ,so all who wanted to ,could come for free.,and enjoy being a child ,sick or well for one day!!!!Yes Michael sleeps now in death ,but it was his belief and knowledge ,of the truth from the Bible ,that sustains us all .John5;28,29 ,reminds us that Very Soon ,all those asleep in death ,will be ressurected,to the earth ,as it will be transformed into a beautiful Paradise,where death will be no more ,no more mourning ,nor outcry ,nor pain Rev;21,3,4,This is our hope for Michael,He well knew of this hope .and this is why he told Martin Bashir he wanted to live forever ,because ,he knew he had this one thing , SURE HOPE FROM ,THE ONLY TRUEGODJEHOVAH OUR FATHER thnk you for reading this .

Mary said:

Dear Billy,

Thanks for the post and the interview with Michael.

Your sensitively to him was obvious in the interview in Ireland and heartwarming. I am sure he appreciated it.

It was clear from the video that he was feeling very vunerable and I hope that the finished product allowed him to begin to trust again.

I love this quote from his book...

“In a world filled with hate, we must still dare to hope. In a world filled with anger, we must still dare to comfort. In a world filled with despair, we must still dare to dream. And in a world filled with distrust, we must still dare to believe.”

Mary

jodiiMariie said:

I think your realy telling the truth"if people treated michael the way they treating him now he would definetly be alive" thats my favorite part in this article michael feared people around him because they taunted him and told him what to do or they would put him on the spot or kill him.i think people who was around him didnt care as much as people who were not around him did.i went to a party last night and they started playin michael's song and i started crying and my cousin hates him so bad that he wanted to leave the party this is such sadness for me.
If i only had the chance to meet him i wouldve done anything in my power to help him..if he cant sleep ill stay up with him just as i did with few of my friends.
I LOVE YOU MICHAEL AND HOPE TO SEE YOU REALL SOON!!

Cinderella Vitale said:

TRUST
As I was feeding squirrels in the park, I noticed a small one that didn’t seem to trust me. While the others came close enough to eat out of my hand, he kept his distance. I threw a peanut his way. He edged up, grabbed it nervously, and ran off. Next time he must have felt less afraid, because he came a little closer. The safer he felt, the more he trusted me. Finally he sat right at my feet, as bold as any squirrel clamoring for the next peanut. Trust is like that - it always seems to come down to trusting in yourself. Others can’t overcome fear for you; you have to do it on your own. It’s hard, because fear and doubt hold on tight. We are afraid of being rejected, of being hurt once more. So we keep a safe distance. We think separating ourselves from others will protect us, but that doesn’t work, either. It leaves us feeling alone and unloved. Trusting yourself begins by recognizing that it’s okay to be afraid. Having fear is not the problem, because everyone feels anxious and insecure sometimes. The problem is not being honest enough to admit your fear. Whenever I accept my own doubt and insecurity, I’m more open to other people. The deeper I go into myself, the stronger I become, because I realize that my real self is much bigger than any fear. In accepting yourself completely, trust becomes complete. There is no longer any separation between people, because there is no longer any separation inside. In the space where fear used to live, love is allowed to grow. © 1992 Michael Joseph Jackson - Dancing The DreamAs I was feeding squirrels in the park, I noticed a small one that didn’t seem to trust me. While the others came close enough to eat out of my hand, he kept his distance. I threw a peanut his way. He edged up, grabbed it nervously, and ran off. Next time he must have felt less afraid, because he came a little closer. The safer he felt, the more he trusted me. Finally he sat right at my feet, as bold as any squirrel clamoring for the next peanut. Trust is like that - it always seems to come down to trusting in yourself. Others can’t overcome fear for you; you have to do it on your own. It’s hard, because fear and doubt hold on tight. We are afraid of being rejected, of being hurt once more. So we keep a safe distance. We think separating ourselves from others will protect us, but that doesn’t work, either. It leaves us feeling alone and unloved. Trusting yourself begins by recognizing that it’s okay to be afraid. Having fear is not the problem, because everyone feels anxious and insecure sometimes. The problem is not being honest enough to admit your fear. Whenever I accept my own doubt and insecurity, I’m more open to other people. The deeper I go into myself, the stronger I become, because I realize that my real self is much bigger than any fear. In accepting yourself completely, trust becomes complete. There is no longer any separation between people, because there is no longer any separation inside. In the space where fear used to live, love is allowed to grow. © 1992 Michael Joseph Jackson - Dancing The Dream

Aisha Singletary said:

Micheal,
I can't except the fact that your gone and I won't because it is to hard.I love you and I miss you and will never forget your music and the joy you gave me when you dance.I remember watching your concert special on HBO and enjoyed every moment of it.I was reading dancing the dream and as you said you are the one in the mirror.Your a great spirit that will live in all of our hearts and when ever I heard your songs I won't feel sad.I will think about all the good times.Thank you for being there when I needed a friend

Leave a comment


Type the characters you see in the picture above.