REUTERSWe've finally made it to the day of Michael Jackson's private funeral (as private as it could get, anyway, for a colossal megastar such as him) and his world-watched memorial at Staples Center. Which, turns out, was an even more coveted ticket than any one of his London concert gigs.
The world's interest in, and affection for, M.J. has astronomically grown since his passing, and a huge shift in the public perception of this eccentric figure can't go unquestioned.
Has anyone else noticed the sudden idolatry now that Jackson is dead? Why do some fans, journalists and music insiders who were so quick to criticize him when he was alive, seem that much more comfortable praising Jackson now that he's gone?
In the last few years, all we heard anyone talk about when mentioning Jackson was his increasingly bizarre life—his overwhelming debt, his eccentric public behavior, his endless facial contortions and mostly, his problematic relationships with children.
Now that he can't shock people anymore, the public's completely comfortable with Michael Jackson again. He's no longer the peculiar punch line to every little-kid-loving joke and a No. 1-selling Halloween mask. Now people prefer to paint Jackson as a perfect, legendary angel. Mention his name today and you'll be slapped if you consider him anything but a musical genius. We know—we tried!
We think M.J. should be remembered infinitely as an incredibly talented performer and musician, that's indisputable. Just have to raise the question to you all if you have noticed how people are choosing to remember Michael—as how they want to remember him rather than how he really was at the time.
Don't kill us for raising the question, we're genuinely curious. And to play Devil's Advocate, we see both sides. Just want to hear from you all if you notice the switch, too.
—Additional reporting by Becky Bain