“Yes, and I had pimples so badly it used to make me so shy. I used not to look at myself. I’d hide my face in the dark, I wouldn’t want to look in the mirror and my father teased me and I just hated it and I cried every day.”
- August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009
- American
- Singer, Dancer, Songwriter, “King of Pop”
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Quote
“Yes, and I had pimples so badly it used to make me so shy. I used not to look at myself. I’d hide my face in the dark, I wouldn’t want to look in the mirror and my father teased me and I just hated it and I cried every day.”
Explanation
This quote reveals Michael Jackson’s painful experience with adolescent insecurity, rooted in something as common as acne but magnified by his public life and strained family dynamics. The imagery of “hiding in the dark” and “not wanting to look in the mirror” speaks to a profound sense of shame and low self-esteem, while the detail that “my father teased me” adds a layer of emotional trauma, suggesting that a trusted figure contributed to his suffering rather than easing it.
Growing up in the spotlight, Jackson endured the pressures of maintaining a polished image while navigating the awkward changes of adolescence. His father, Joe Jackson, was known for his strict and often harsh parenting, and this quote underscores how criticism—especially during vulnerable formative years—can leave lasting psychological scars. Jackson’s recollection of “crying every day” conveys how deeply internalized and persistent this pain was.
Today, this quote resonates with ongoing discussions about body image, parental influence, and emotional abuse. It serves as a reminder that even those who appear confident and successful may carry deep insecurities from youth. Jackson’s honesty opens the door for greater empathy and awareness around the way we treat others—especially children—and the importance of cultivating compassion, acceptance, and emotional safety in families and society.
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