The Michael Jackson World Network

Sylvian - Sweden

Hi,My story begins back in 1985 when I was diagnosed with HIV. It was so early in the history of AIDS/HIV that I was given two years approximately to live. I was 24 years of age and all my hopes and dreams died that day.

Some days later at a friend’s house, the album ‘Thriller’ was lying on a table. I walked past it and Michael’s eyes on the cover sort of flashed up into my eyes. It felt strange and I thought I was going crazy, however, I started to listen to him and his lyrics.

Today, 22 years later, Michael Jackson is still so important to me. He made me think in a totally different way and I think that has an affect on the fact that I, after 22 years of being HIV positive, still NEVER had the need for medication to fight the disease.

I’m presently studying Theology at university and that is also something I have been inspired by him to do. His lyrics made me want to really explore the concept of God. I have now been studying for two years and I still find him helpful in my search.

My dream is to one day meet him and thank him for existing. It’s amazing, but today he even looks likes me, which I, of course, like a lot.

Well this is part of my story and I hope my dream will come true someday.

Sylvian - Sweden

Phyllis - USA

Michael inspires me because of the way he dresses is so sexy and he dances non-stop like James Brown.He inspires me to be just like him and I can dance just like him - I can do the ‘Moonwalk’ and everything!

I LOVE MICHAEL JACKSON!

Phyllis Smith - Milwaukee - USA

Robie - USA

!!MOTIVATED!!

Michael Jackson was just a person who was popular in music to me, before I had even decided what type of music I like.

I came to this group home, in Stockton, California, in the U.S.A, for doing a crime that I shouldn’t have done, and also having no place to live, this was on April 2nd of 2004, and I got free on March 5th, of 2007. It sucked! Anyway…I’ve had this craving/need to shake Michael’s hand and meet him face to face ever since I had a roommate in the group home that listened to him. His name was Eric Jackson, which was weird to me, but it would be cool if they had been related.

Eric used to turn his ‘Number Ones’ album on and ask me what number the CD was on, and eventually I started getting it right. I picked ‘BAD’ as my first favorite song and I borrowed his CD and kept replaying it until I understood most of the words - almost the whole song!

I started taking his CD into the bathroom and acted in a way I had imagined Michael would dance in the mirror. I had only seen one of his videos; ‘Remember The Time’, and I tried to dance like that. It was hard!

I got another roommate, Jerry Sanders, and he knew how to pop and lock his body, like a meaningful robot. I admired him and practiced as soon as I woke up, with no one watching, throughout the day, as long as no one saw me.

We had talent shows that the residents performed in once a year. These were during the month of October, in the week before every Halloween, for whoever wanted to participate. I never planned to put myself in front of people and dance, I thought to myself, “are you crazy?” I didn’t want to embarrass myself. People always encouraged me though but I still didn’t do it. However, on the last opportunity I had, I dressed up as Michael and performed three songs at the show two of which were Michael’s; ‘The Way You Make Me Feel’, and ‘You Are Not Alone’. The other song was by Simple Plan, called ‘Perfect’ which I dedicated that one to my dad. He didn’t come the show. I won no award for the performance, but I won one award for the most creative, and one for the best costume, which amounted up to $50.00 and some more money for a pumpkin carving.

I used to dress like every other person you see on the streets, because I was worried about what people would think, but eventually I realized that I can have my own dreams, and if people don’t like it, they either have a closed mind, or they don’t have a strong enough dream to be so concerned of mine.

Michael’s music inspired me to perform, and by me performing, it has opened my mind to strengthen my drive to accomplish my goals.

I would like to shake Michael’s hand just to feel better about what we stand for. I want to hug him to acknowledge that he is real, and tell him that despite everything, he is still a man, and it’s a shame people of the world don’t see him as a legendary leader and speaker.

Norma - UK

So many places I would not have visited if it had not been for Michael…

All my life I have enjoyed and danced to music of all types, then by chance, I discovered the sound of Michael Jackson. Oh I loved it so much….The rhythms set me dancing in my own way to the magnificent ‘Dangerous’ album. This album inspired me greatly and I started noticing articles and pictures about the man himself. Yes, Michael was seeping in to my very soul taking charge of my every waking and sleeping hour.

New music began to be released and with it promotion events. Oh my, I so wanted to go to London to see the ‘Ghosts’ film in Leicester Square yet at the same time I was terrified of the thought of all the travel involved to do that.

The first step though was to phone up for a Ticket. That was scary enough for someone like me, but after several attempts I got my ticket! This left me shaking with a mix of delight and fear. What had I done? I rang back and spoke to the young man at the other end and told him about my fears. He reassured me that I would be just fine. London travel was easy. I doubted that, but with advice from the train information line and a prompt card of times and places in my pocket, I set out nervously on my way to London.

What a wonderful experience the whole day was to prove to be. Mingling with the fans outside the theatre before the doors opened, everyone was so excited! Then at last the doors opened and it was good to be inside at last. ‘Ghosts’ came up on the giant screen in front of us. Woo! It was a huge thrill watching this incredible film for the first time ever in the company of Michael’s fans - A whole new experience for me. So many times I have watched ‘Ghosts’ at home since that time and the ‘Ghosts’ short film is still a firm favourite of mine.

After the film had finished I gathered up my belongings, including the fun goodie bag I had found on my seat when we first sat down - A lovely surprise for everyone. It was time to leave the theatre quickly and catch the train back home, but not before I got my free balloon - A large red one advertising Michael’s super new Album ‘Blood on the Dancefloor.’ I carried it with a smile on my face all the way home.

Thank you Michael, you set me travelling alone. You repaid me greatly that day, but at future events too, not only in London but in USA and Germany. I was lucky enough to get to Wembley for two ‘HIStory’ concerts - Huge and memorable events that will stay with me forever.

Michael’s influence did not end there, but for him I would likely still be computer illiterate. Buying my first computer took a lot of courage too. I struggled to operate it and it terrified me every time a got a blue screen, but I persevered -How else was I to enjoy fully the world of Michael and MJWN? Those early magazines were great but the online version of MJWN was something else. It is a living tribute to Michael Jackson keeping his multitude of Fans constantly updated for their delight.

Shaun - UK

Hi, my name is Shaun Walsh.When I first saw Michael singing ‘Billie Jean’ I was hooked and stared to dance and sing like him. I’ve been on TV 4 times in UK singing MJ songs. If you like, you can see me from 2 shows on YouTube website. Just put ‘Shaun Walsh’ in the search box.

I’m 11 years old and I’m singing ‘I Want You Back’ and ‘I’ll Be There’. Hope you like them.

Bye, Shaun