Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Memoir reveals Michael Jackson's favourite pastime was laughing at videos of Prince messing up

The King of Pop was 'cold as ice' according to producer LA Reid

Jess Denham
Tuesday 02 February 2016 07:54 EST
Comments
Michael Jackson enjoyed watching footage of his rival 'falling as flat as he could'
Michael Jackson enjoyed watching footage of his rival 'falling as flat as he could' (AP)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Laughing at Prince messing up was one of Michael Jackson’s dark favourite pastimes, according to a new memoir by producer LA Reid.

The King of Pop, who died in 2009, would enjoy watching videos of his rival “falling as flat as he could” and even showed his favourite clips to Neverland visitors.

Reid alleges in his new book Sing to Me that Jackson once gave him a tour of the famous ranch before taking him to a screening room to chuckle at footage from a 1983 James Brown concert.

Jackson was called on stage as a guest, where he “danced a few steps” in his trademark, much-adored fashion, before Prince, who was also present in the audience, was invited up too.

Unfortunately for the “Purple Rain” singer, his moment in the spotlight flopped as he “couldn’t make his guitar work, frantically stripping off his shirt and trying tricks with the microphone stand and making all these poses”.

Reid remembers Jackson “enjoying laughing at the video” before putting on a scene from Prince’s much-maligned black-and-white film Under the Cherry Moon to “laugh some more”.

So there you have it, Jackson was “cold as ice” with an avid passion for schadenfreude.

Sing to Me is available to buy online from today, 2 February.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in