Britney Spears and Michael Jackson: Inside Their ‘Obsession’ With Each Other
Britney Spears idolized Michael Jackson, and he, in turn, was a massive Spears’ fan. If the late King of Pop was alive today, many fans believe he would be a part of the #freebritney movement. Here’s a look inside Jackson and Spears’ obsession with each other in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Britney Spears loved Michael Jackson
In the early 2000s, Michael Jackson called Britney Spears and asked her to sing a song with him. The young pop star was shocked and could hardly believe that MJ was on the phone. She grew up listening to his music and was a massive fan. In 2001, they sang “The Way You Make Me Feel” together in Madison Square Garden in New York City.
“I didn’t realize what had happened until I got off the stage,” Spears said in an interview afterward. “It was just really an amazing experience. It was awesome. I was very honored that he wanted to do this song with me.”
She added in another interview that it was something she could “tell my kids about.” Then in 2002, Spears introduced Jackson onstage at the 2002 MTV Video Music Awards.
“So, he’s my idol, the best guy in the whole world,” Spears said about Jackson before taking the stage. “I’m really kind of excited. I’m really nervous.”
A few years later, Barbara Walters asked Spears if she still idolized Jackson after hearing about him allegedly molesting young boys. Spears said she wanted to believe that was “untrue.” The pop icon thought MJ had a very different childhood and probably only needed friends and support at that time in his adult life.
Michael Jackson and his ‘obsession’ with Britney Spears
Spears was asked numerous times about her feelings for Jackson in public interviews. However, the only interview fans have about Jackson’s feelings are from choreographer Wade Robson. The dancer choreographed many of Spears and NSYNC’s songs. He spent time with both Spears and Justin Timberlake.
In the documentary about Jackson, Leaving Neverland, Robson went into detail about the obsession that the King of Pop had with Spears.
“Michael had some sort of obsession with Britney, and he would call me, and he’d wanna know what it was like working with her, what she was like,” Robson said in the documentary. “‘Isn’t she sexy? Isn’t she beautiful?’ Wondering if I can set up a way for them to meet.”
Robson never had to initiate that meeting. It turned out that all Jackson had to do was give Spears a call.
Spears was ‘devastated’ when Jackson died
Michael Jackson died of a heart attack on June 25, 2009. Countless stars spoke out as the world mourned the death of the King of Pop.
“I was so excited to see his show in London,” the singer said in a statement to MTV. “We were going to be on tour in Europe at the same time, and I was going to fly in to see him. He has been an inspiration throughout my entire life, and I’m devastated he’s gone!”
The two pop stars had similar childhoods, both growing up in the spotlight. Sadly, their friendship had to end too soon.
