Deepak Chopra Confirms Michael Jackson had Lupus and Vitiligo
The entire Jackson family wore Michael’s trademark white rhinestone glove in honor of their late brother at his memorial service on Tuesday. That glove had become a symbol of Michael Jackson and, for a brief time in the Eighties, a fashion statement.
Turns out, that glove may have been more a self conscious thing than an outward statement of rebellion.
In 1993 Jackson told Oprah Winfrey that the reason his skin was changing from black to white was that he had the rare skin disorder vitiligo, which attacks the melanin in a persons skin causing discoloring. Many people, according to CNN, didn’t quite believe Jackson at the time. They thought it was an excuse.
Well, Jackson’s good friend Dr. Deepak Chopra once again confirmed the fact that Michael Jackson did have not only vitiligo but lupus as well when he spoke on MSNBC’s “Keith Olberman” this week.
“Children who have been either physically or verbally abused will go on to develop autoimmune diseases like lupus and vitiligo, both of which he had. He was quite disfigured. He would avoid being seen, at least his body, therefore he would cover himself, then that would lead to people making all kinds of fun of him and calling him all kinds of things. He would feel the cruelty of that. He didn’t understand that. Then he would become obsessed with plastic surgery, which is also a sign of shame and humiliation and self loathing which happens in children who’ve been abused.”
The doctor who diagnosed Michael Jackson with vitiligo and Lupus was on Larry King Live last night (July 8 2009). He confirmed Jackson did not bleach his skin and didn’t want to be white. I didn’t know he had Lupus. Lupus is a terrible disorder to have. It’s quite serious and can cause the use to several medications in order to contain. Michael Jackson was dealing with a lot of crap. Those who talked trash about him should be ashamed of themselves.
yea i have both vitiligo and Lupus and rlly hard esp wen u have to explain it to lik every1 that sees u…ik ppl make fun of it 2 which makes it worse….MJ was a superstar who had to deal with this while being a celebrity…he was a strong person for doin so considering his upbringing…
Aw ha!! The pieces of the puzzle now come together! People have often called MJ “strange” because of the umbrellas, gloves, surgical mask’ etc he often sported. Now we understand that these accessories (which he became famous for) most likely came into existence because of his skin cancer (vitiligo) and lupus diagnosis! This is why it is extremely important for people not to make comments or judgments about people; especially when you know nothing about a person’s circumstance. I bet all those who made comments that MJ was “strange” feel like total ass—-s! And if they don’t—they should! Let this be a valuable lesson—don’t talk about people—no matter how bazaar the situation seems!
I am surprised that Vitiligo is defined as a “Rare” condition in the US. Even the American Vitiligo Research foundation says 4% ppl worldwide have it. I am not sure what sort of statistical tools they used to come to that conclusion, but they are WRONG. Vitiligo is a fairly common disease in colored people. I am Pakistani and I know alot of people( both family and friends) who have it. I find it unfortunate that there isn’t alot of awareness about this disease in the US and MJ had to endure such nasty labels from people who didn’t understand what he was going through. RIP MJ
What a wonderful spokesman and advocate he could have been for those suffering from these ailments. He had so much potential to make a real difference in so many lives, but chose to live so many years as a reclusive and odd man.
I wonder why MJ’s publicity people didn’t just come out with a statement up front that explained his illnesses and the medical reasons for the covering etc. The world has embraced stars with illness in the past (Michael J. Fox, Richard Pryor). MJ could have been a wonderful spokesperson for how to deal with Lupus (which I have) and Vitiligo. Instead he suffered in silence and was ridiculed on top of that. Ironic, since ridicule and low self-esteem probably contributed to both conditions in the first place. RIP Michael. You are beautiful in the eyes of God.
Steve it’s not uncommon for people with lupus have low self esteem and even depression. I won’t be surprised if he was in depression during those miserable years.
Ruth, in an ideal world, with the star power/status MJ had—your point is well taken. However, I think going public with illnesses, sickness, and/or disease is not always the easiest to do—especially when you have the magnitude of star power that MJ has. When you are just common people (like you and I) sometimes it takes all that a person has within them to just come to terms with such a devastating diagnosis and learning to live with that diagnosis—so much so that sharing it with the world is not an option.
I.e. My grandmother was the closest person in the world to me and passed away at 88 years old, however four months prior to her death she was diagnosed with bone cancer and she never told me! Some people just want to deal with these kinds of things in their own way, and let the truth be told they have that option and that right. What is unfortunate as you so wonderfully articulated “he suffered in silence and was ridiculed on top of that”. Further, you are right “he is beautiful in the eyes of God”.
I think he would have become a spokesperson had the public not ridiculed him so much in the early 90’s. He first admitted to having vitiligo in 1993, that’s 16 years ago, however he was never embraced the way Michael J Fox was. The public was simply ignorant regarding vitiligo and probably drove MJ into further seclusion and obsession regarding his appearance. It’s all very sad because from all accounts he was a very gentle and shy person. It’s amazing how alone he truly was.
MJ did not want his life to be exposed to public no matter what it is…Some things are private and Unfortunately it is no more private….Thanks to all media ..i dont know how they go to sleep after their job has been done..
I feel justice should be done to MJ KIDS without haunting them with reality……let us pray MJ rest in peace…and his kids be safe!
I agree with the person who said MJ should have used his star power to bring awareness to his diseases and to stop the media speculation. His life would have be a lot easier. I can’t stop crying when I think about all the emotional pain that he went through and at the same time having to put on a good face for his fans.
And I suppose that explains the nose and “Kirk Douglas” chin??
his father killed him
I am nearly 62. I was in my mid-teens when the Jacksons hit the air. The older I got, the more I loved their & Michael’s music. However, I did not keep up with ALL the things being printed about Our Dear Michael. His death has shed light on so much about him that some of us did not know. The more I read and hear about him now, the more deeply I love Michael. The ones who preyed on him for money, ridiculed him and stabbed him with their tongues, certainly have their names on a nail that pierced his heart. I am so happy God gave Michael the opportunity to be a father before calling him Home. Michael WAS one of God’s servants you know. God knows exactly when to call His servants back. God had to show Michael how much he is loved. To you, his 3 wonderful children, you are so blessed to be his. To us, his fans, we are too.
Instead of underestimating the public (in terms of compassion and intelligence), or perhaps because he felt by revealing his condition would scare off his investors, Michael Jackson could have been upfront about his condition, and instead of making himself into a ‘mystery,’ he truly could have been a role-model for Lupus and Vitiligo
I agree with Todd A. Everyone loves a come back kid and he would have INSPIRED instead of scared people if they knew. Not telling and acting crazy and adopting chimps and sleeping around with kids that aren’t yours… Seriously? Come on.
There is also, DRUG INDUCED lupus.
There are many kinds of lupus. The most common type, systemic lupus erythematosus, affects many parts of the body. Other types of lupus are:
* Discoid lupus erythematosus – causes a skin rash that doesn’t go away
* Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus – causes skin sores on parts of the body exposed to sun
* Drug-induced lupus – can be caused by medications
* Neonatal lupus – a rare type of lupus that affects newborns.
Pity that only when a person dies, the truth comes to light….
By then it’s already too late….
Our ignorance towards his condition have caused much despair to him. Even his closest fren are unaware of this and I think we know who that is…..
We’re sorry, Micheal for causing you so much grief…..Rest now for you wouldnt be judged anymore….
The opportunity for Michael to shine a light on Lupus is now, it has begun. He is speaking.
Also, I think people should back off judging him to have been alone and suffering, which I’m sure he experienced, but you know he was full of life. Look at those kids, and look at his plans. He is amazing.
Unfortunately, there will always be those who chose to believe the worst regardless of what may be presented to them in all honesty. Knowing friends with vitiligo i guessed early on that he must have been suffering from that disorder . The diagnosis of lupus has added more pieces to the puzzle. It is great tragedy that even after his death,there are those who continue to look for dirt and where they cant find any make it up. May they never experience what they have served to this brilliant and gentle man. RIP Michael , they never knew you.
For years Michael Jackson told people the truth about his health conditions. It was easier for stupid people to laugh and accuse. To honor Michael in his death we should vow never again judge a person for their looks or what they ware. Michael Jackson should be commended for his ability to try rise above it all and make is affliction into a “fashion statement” so he could maintain some sort of a private life.. He should be honored as a brave human being not just a rock and roll superstar.
enough already–let this manchild rest in peace!! this never happened with elvis, and he became an icon on his own, no one knew it would happen. I don’t believe for a second he had a skin disease and I love Deepak! or lupus! he had a mental disorder, hated and loved his fame–saw being black as ugly becuz of what his dad said, etc…the other brothers were strong and ignored it, married women, had kids, grew up. Michael saw ‘white’ as beautiful and black as ugly!! decided to change appearance, etc.//had white kids, would not even trust his own sperm when he could–I have adopted kids, luv them to death also-even tho no biological connection, so I know what I’m talking about–most people are able to overcome a tough childhood and move on–when you have money, gives you more time to think about things that most of us don’t have time to do, too busy making a living…I went to college with people with the skin discoloration, it is soooo slow, you can hardly tell, most use cream to cover the spots…I am a black women. the jacksons were a little young for me…I was more into Smokey, Marvin Gaye, etc. Michael rip…sweet dream my prince, and angels take you to the clouds!!
From reading all the post, and agreeing with many of you about MJ been upfront and becoming a spokeperson for the ilness he had you guys are forgetting about the verbal abuse/physical abuse he endure when he was a younger that would really be hard to do, another thing is that once he left his dad he got the freedom to do the things that he alwYs wanted not matter if it hurt himself or others in this case he choose to take it out on himself touring his body. I say this cuz I know from experience and still trying to overcome them. Love you MJ4EvA
Why are ppl saying stupid shit like “Oh, Michael Jackson should have been a spokesperson for vitiligo and lupus, but he chose to be reclusive and weird about it instead wah wah wahh!” Do none of you idiots remember?? He DID go public with his vitiligo and lupus! Several times! And everybody laughed and made fun of him! Said he was lying! Accused him of bleaching his skin because he wanted to be white! Called him a freak! Then his doctor went on tv to confirm he had it, and everybody ignored it, still said he was lying, and still made fun of him. And now even after he has died and his doctors have confirmed it once again, ppl are still saying he just wanted to be white and making fun of him! Hey, I’ve got an idea! Let that shit happen to you! Go contract yourselves a nice disfiguring disease, go public with it and get made fun of mercilessly for it by millions of ppl, and then see how vocal you feel like being about it then! He was a tortured, tormented, insecure, and extremely sensitive HUMAN BEING who suffered throughout his entire life! Just because he was famous does not justify expecting him to be a walking talking punchline for everybody’s cruel jokes, and a living billboard of hope for everybody’s problems at the same time, even though a lot of ppl still wish to treat him that way!
RIP, dear sweet Michael!