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Conversations

Michael Jackson: I wanted so badly to play in the park across the street because the kids were playing baseball and football but I had to record. I could see the park, right across the street. But I had to go in the other building and work until late at night making the albums. I sat there looking at the kids with tears running down my face and I would say, “I am trapped and I have to do this for the rest of my life. I'm under contract.” But I wanted to go over there so bad it was killing me, just to make a friend to say, “Hi.” You know...just to do that. I used to walk the streets looking for people. I told you that didn't I?

Shmuley Boteach: What did you do?

MJ: Looking for somebody to talk to.

SB: How old were you?

MJ: It was during the Thriller album.

SB: So you were the biggest star in the whole world and you were looking for...

MJ: I was looking for people to talk to. I was so lonely I would cry in my room upstairs. I would think, “That’s it. I am getting out of here,” and I would walk down the street. I remember really saying to people, “Will you be my friend?”

SB: They were probably in shock.

MJ: They were, they would be like, “Michael Jackson!” I would say, “Oh God! Are they going to be my friend because of Michael Jackson? Or are they going to be my friend because of me?” Or...I just wanted someone to talk to.

SB: Did you find it?

MJ: Yeah, well, I went to the park and there were kids playing on swings.

SB: So that’s when you finally decided that children were the answer. They are the only ones who treat you as a person?

MJ: Yeah. yeah, That’s true.

SB: So that’s the age that it hit you, “Oh my gosh. I did lose my childhood, because these are the only people I can identify with.”

MJ: Yeah. It’s true Shmuley.

Conversations

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