In a captivating memoir, music legend Elton John opens up about his close friendship with the late Michael Jackson, shedding light on the toll that fame took on the iconic pop star’s mental health. John’s heartfelt testimony offers a unique perspective, providing an empathetic glimpse into the struggles faced by Jackson.
At the start of their friendship, a young Michael Jackson captivated Elton John with his undeniable charm. John fondly remembers the 13-year-old Jackson as “the most charming youngster you could imagine.” However, as the years passed and Jackson’s fame reached unprecedented heights, John witnessed a heartbreaking transformation in his friend.
Like Elvis Presley, Jackson seemed to disconnect from reality and the outside world, a product of his overwhelming fame. John recalls, “Every time I saw him as an adult, I assumed he had completely lost his mind. God alone knows what was going on in his head, and why he was so full of medication.” The toll of fame became apparent, leaving John disturbed by the state of his once-vibrant friend.
In a recent revelation, Elton John highlights Jackson’s declaration of being mentally ill and burdensome to others. This became evident at one of John’s parties, where Jackson wandered off and was found playing with the housekeeper’s son, a stark reminder of his struggle to relate to adults. John admits, “For whatever reason, he couldn’t bear being among adults.”
In his memoir, John also shares intimate details about his own life, including his complex relationship with his late mother Sheila Farebrother.
He delves into his challenging upbringing and acknowledges that he did not have a warm bond with his mother’s husband, David Furnish, with whom she shares two sons.
Reflecting on the absence of a relationship between his mother and her grandchildren, John admits, “I’m glad they didn’t know her because they would have experienced the same pain she inflicted on me.”
Elton John’s testimony is both touching and insightful, offering a deeper understanding of the struggles faced by the late Michael Jackson. It highlights the damaging effects of fame on one’s mental well-being and provides a compassionate perspective on the lives of these two iconic figures.
