Elton John, one of the most legendary figures in the music industry, once made shocking claims about fellow pop icon Michael Jackson, describing him as a deeply troubling presence.
While both artists enjoyed unparalleled success and often found their paths crossing in the entertainment world, John revealed in his 2019 memoir, Me, that his experiences with Jackson became increasingly uncomfortable over the years. The Rocket Man singer, now 77, held nothing back when speaking about the Thriller star, particularly regarding his declining mental state and rumored dependence on prescription drugs.
From Child Star to Troubling Figure
Elton John recounted that he had first met Michael Jackson when the latter was just a teenager, around the age of 13 or 14. At the time, Jackson was still an innocent young performer, and John described him as “the most adorable kid you could imagine.”
However, over the years, as Jackson grew older and his fame skyrocketed, John claimed that something within him changed dramatically. He wrote that the once-charming boy who had mesmerized the world with his talent and charisma had become someone completely different—someone who appeared lost, detached from reality, and increasingly erratic in behavior.
John specifically pointed to Jackson’s later years, expressing concerns that the pop star had retreated into his own world. The I’m Still Standing singer speculated about the role of medication in Jackson’s downward spiral, questioning “what prescription drugs he was being pumped full of.”
By the 2000s, according to John, Jackson had “totally lost his marbles.”
A Disturbing Encounter at a Private Lunch
Elton John detailed one particularly unsettling encounter with Jackson that took place in the 1990s. At the time, the two music icons were having lunch together, but John immediately noticed that Jackson looked unwell.
“The poor guy looked awful—really frail and sickly,” John recalled. He went on to describe how Jackson was heavily made-up, his face covered in layers of cosmetics and plasters, giving him an even more ghostly appearance.
But the most bizarre part of the encounter came when Jackson suddenly vanished from the table without saying a word. After some searching, John and others found him inside the cottage of John’s housekeeper—where Jackson was quietly playing games with the woman’s 11-year-old son.
The unexpected behavior left John deeply unsettled. He described Jackson as “genuinely mentally ill” and called him “a disturbing person to be around.”
Michael Jackson’s Tarnished Legacy
Despite being one of the biggest-selling artists of all time, Jackson’s legacy has been plagued by controversy, particularly after the release of the 2019 documentary Leaving Neverland. The film, directed by Dan Reed, focused on the accounts of Wade Robson and James Safechuck, who alleged that they were sexually abused by Jackson as children.
The documentary reignited debate over Jackson’s past, with many fans refusing to believe the allegations, while others saw them as further confirmation of long-standing suspicions.
In response, the Jackson family sat down for an interview with Gayle King on CBS This Morning to defend the late singer. His brother, Marlon Jackson, stated emphatically:
“I want them to understand and know that this documentary is not telling the truth. There has not been one single piece of evidence to corroborate their story.”
The family maintained that Robson and Safechuck were motivated by financial gain and insisted that Jackson was innocent of all allegations against him.
The Tragic Final Years and Controversial Death
Michael Jackson’s final years were shrouded in secrecy, speculation, and legal troubles. On June 25, 2009, he was found unresponsive in his home, and his death at the age of 50 sent shockwaves across the world.
According to the Los Angeles County coroner’s office, Jackson’s death was ruled a homicide, caused by acute propofol intoxication, with additional complications due to benzodiazepines. His personal physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, had been administering powerful sedatives to help Jackson sleep, and the coroner’s findings confirmed that the dosage had been lethal.
Murray was subsequently charged and later convicted of involuntary manslaughter in 2011. He was sentenced to four years in prison but served only half of his sentence before being released.
Even after his passing, the controversies surrounding Jackson’s life and career continue to fuel debate, with many defending his legacy while others remain deeply critical of his behavior and alleged misconduct.