Early Eccentricities

Michael Jackson: Why the Press Called Him 'Wacko Jacko'

Early Eccentricities

Michael Jackson's eccentric behavior began early in his career, with his signature moonwalk dance move and his unusual sleeping habits. As his popularity grew, so did the media's fascination with his quirks.

The Birth of 'Wacko Jacko'

After the release of his blockbuster album "Thriller," the tabloid press became increasingly critical of Jackson's behavior, labeling him "Wacko Jacko" due to his unusual surgeries, his pet chimpanzee, Bubbles, and his reclusive lifestyle.

A Complex Reality

However, journalist Jacques Peretti argues that the "Wacko Jacko" persona was a deliberate ruse to mask a darker truth about Jackson's life. Peretti examines his own complicity in perpetuating the negative image of Jackson and explores the complexity behind the controversial figure.