“I Feel Very Young”

In an exclusive interview with Chris Connolly and Michael S. James of ABC’s ‘Good Morning America’, Michael speaks about his past, present and future along with his dreams for his children.

During the telephone interview Michael said that he was “having a wonderful time, just relaxing,” and was listening to James Brown whilst preparing for his 50th birthday. He also added that he will “just have a little cake with my children and we’ll probably watch some cartoons.”

When asked if turning fifty means that he now has an AARP card? Michael replied laughing; “Not that I know of! You never know. They can find you wherever you are.”

“I feel very wise and sage, but at the same time very young,” he said.

He added that he still can do all his dance moves and “more.”

When asked when the happiest time in his life was Michael said it was probably when he was recording ‘Thriller’ and ‘Off the Wall’. “That meant very much to me and seemed to be received so beautifully by the public and the world. I enjoyed it very much.”

Michael was then asked what he felt his greatest achievement was. “Oh boy, that’s a hard one,” he said, before answering with ‘We Are The World’, ‘Billie Jean’ and ‘Thriller’.

“I am still looking forward to doing a lot of great things,” he added and said that he hopes to release new music and tour, though there are no dates confirmed. “I am writing all the time. I love composing and the whole thing. But I am also raising my children and enjoying it and teaching them to ride bicycles and how to read. I love it!”

Relating to his future work Michael said he wanted to “be myself” and that he’s been “inspired by many great artists,” saying he wished he had worked with James Brown or Fred Astaire.

Michael mentioned his childhood and said he’d sacrificed it with “a lot of hard work, giving up your life for the medium.” When asked if he would do it again Michael said; “I think I would. It is very much worth it. I have always loved show business and have always enjoyed making people happy through that medium. I love the celebration of music and dance and art. I just love it!”

The interviewer asled if Michael would like his children to have the same kind of upbringing he’d had. He replied saying that he wanted them to “enjoy their childhood as much as possible.”

“I let them go to the arcade and go to the movies and do things. I want them to get to do the kind of things I didn’t get to do. So, I fill them with a lot of enjoyment that way, a lot of amusement. You know? I get pretty emotional when I see them having a wonderful time, when they are on a ride and they are screaming and they are happy…It makes me emotional, ’cause I see they are having a real good time.”

Michael also added his children “love music…they are very much into the arts” and that he didn’t push them.

Lastly, Michael was asked if he could go back and give himself some advice at the of age nine or ten, what would he advise? “If you are going to do it, commit yourself, know your craft and be really involved.” He also mentioned that he would need to have “rhinoceros skin” when dealing with the pressures of fame.

To read the full interview please click here.

Source: ABC News & MJWN