On this day 13 years ago, a teenage version of me went to the movie theater with about 15 other students from my area to celebrate the last day of school. I’ve never really cared for movies but a kid I had a crush on was also invited to this shindig — which meant I had to be there, obviously.
Teenage version of me (just like the baby, toddler, preteen, young adult, and current form of adult me) loved/s Michael Jackson. I don’t identify with being a “Stan” and the word “fan” feels way too diminished to truly explain my love for Michael. It’s hard to explain, but, I’m at a point in my life where I don’t try to explain it anyway. I don’t argue or debate with anyone about anything related to Michael and I don’t try to change or sway people’s opinions. I have decided that’s not my burden to bear.
What is mine, is the decision to share the joy, love, excitement, and magic that Michael possessed and gave to so many others. What is mine, is the decision to encourage others to truly listen to the words he sang and the words he spoke. That’s been my mission, even when I was a dorky teenager.
So, needless to say, it was devastating to receive a phone call from my best friend on June 25, 2009 during the opening scenes of Transformers 2 saying nothing more than “Mercedes, I am so sorry…”
Since that day life for anyone who is a part of the Michael Universe has been a roller coaster of emotions. This is a grave understatement, but to put it simply: we have experienced a number of deep gut wrenching lows and a series of amazingly euphoric highs.
Gratefully, 2022 has been good to Michael. A Tony award winning musical (which is fantastic by the way), an announcement of Thriller 40, and thousands of people discovering his music through TikTok shows his permanent relevance in music, entertainment and the world overall. Michael Jackson is an institution in and of himself.
Summer MJ Season
Many in the Michael world (including myself) dub the summer MJ season as there are so many events that take place across the world starting a little before Vindication day on June 13 to a little after Michael’s birthday on August 29.
Brad Sundberg’s “In the Studio w MJ” is hosting a three day seminar in LA starting today, going deep into Michael and co.’s creative process on multiple albums and songs. (Side note: I went to his one day seminar in NY last year and I am so bummed that I’m missing this incredible event in LA. Hopefully he’ll come to NY again or I’ll just simply have to book a flight to one of his international gigs!)
Michael Jackson One usually goes all out for his birthday in Vegas and I have my fingers, toes, and eyes crossed that Spike Lee brings back his “Brooklyn ❤ MJ” block party this year (plus all the parties that circle around that time).
In the meantime, for me today, I’ll be heading to the city wearing a Michael shirt blasting his music at unhealthy levels. I already do this pretty often, but it’s always more special on this day.
How are you spending today? What song/album will be on rotation for you?
HeyMercedesJax 
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