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Michael Jackson Had Entire Shopping Mall Closed So He Could Shop Like 'Everybody Else'

Michael Jackson Had Entire Shopping Mall Closed So He Could Shop Like 'Everybody Else'

The pop star said he never got the chance to go outside without being recognised

Claire Reid

Claire Reid

A close friend of Michael Jackson closed his shopping mall so the pop-star could enjoy a shopping trip like 'everybody else'.


In a weird clip aired during Michael Jackson's Private Home Movies, on Fox in 2003, Jackson got to experience what it was like to be a normal member and go shopping in a supermarket - something he'd never done before.

The pal who owned the mall recruited Jackson's friends and family to act as other shoppers or store workers.

In the clip, Jackson says: "It's my dream to go into a supermarket and just shop. Just be like everybody else and put things in a basket. Because I can't do it. Because when I try to do it, people crowd around me - they want autographs and for me to sign things and to take pictures.

"That's why I love disguises so much, I can sit on a bench at Disneyland and see what people really do and talk about - but when they see it's Michael Jackson they change, and I don't see the real thing. And I want to see the real world and what it's like and it's really difficult."

Despite the shop being closed just for him, Jackson still opted to cover up, wearing a baseball cap and dark sunglasses - he's filmed dancing around and then picking up a pair of washing-up gloves and popping one on.

In a voice-over, he added: "It gave me a chance to see, in my way, kind of what the real world is like. Even though it wasn't the real thing."

Jackson has been hitting headlines again lately, as accusations of alleged sexual misconduct with children have been laid bare in the HBO documentary Leaving Neverland.

A number of allegations have been made about the late pop star.
HBO

Amongst the shocking claims made in the film was that while aged 30 Jackson 'married' 10-year-old James Safechuck.

Safechuck claims he took part in a ceremony in the pop star's bedroom and has the jewellery to 'prove it'.

As a result, radio stations across the world have begun to pull Jackson's music from their playlists.

Stations in Canada, Australia and New Zealand have all said they will no longer be playing his music.

Leon Wratt, content director of New Zealand's MediaWorks Group, said: "We aren't deciding whether Michael Jackson is guilty of paedophilia, we're just making sure our radio stations are going to play the music people want to hear."

Featured Image Credit: Fox

Topics: TV and Film, Music, Michael Jackson