Michael Jackson's Death: Avoidable or Inevitable?

My most vivid Michael Jackson memory was his 1993 Oprah Winfrey interview. I remember watching the show and thinking two things:

1. This is the most talented person I've ever seen.
2. This person has the lowest self-esteem of anyone I've ever seen.

Here was this supremely gifted, awesomely talented individual. Yet even before I had heard of the term "head trash", I couldn't help thinking that he was suffering from inner demons that few of us could comprehend.

In my seminars, I've often compared the success of Tiger Woods with Michael Jackson. Whereas Tiger's parents encouraged and supported their young prodigy, Michael's father (we don't hear much about his mother) literally beat his sons to get them to rehearse "the right way".

It's no secret that this kind of physical and emotional abuse cost Michael any chance at a normal life. Now, after his death, Brian Oxman, identified as a Jackson family spokesman, has said that he voiced concerns that Michael was abusing prescription drugs and that the people surrounding Michael were "enabling" his self-abusive behavior.

I can't help but compare the life and death of Michael Jackson to that of Elvis Presley. Both were globally famous and galactically talented. Both suffered abuse from their handlers. Drugs played a part in both of their deaths. And both had defective Systems of Support that led to their early demise.

An individual's System of Support consists of the People, Activities, and Environment in which they live. When your People System consists of hangers-on and enablers, your Activities put you millions of dollars in debt, and your Environment is a self-created prison called Neverland, it doesn't matter how rich or famous you are. Your house isn't built on sand; it's built on quicksand.

Why is it that the most gifted people are often the most fragile, while those with little or no talent think they're God's gift? While I can't fully explain this phenomenon, it has shown up in the entertainment world time after time - from Chris Farley to River Phoenix to Elvis, and now Michael Jackson.

My only hope is that the parents and handlers of young, talented people learn a lesson from Michael Jackson's sudden death: that in life, just as in physics, for every action there's an equal and opposite reaction. When you push your young prodigy, be ready for the push-back. And that push-back may very well cost them their life.

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Noah St. John, Ph.D. is the author of The Secret Code of Success: 7 Hidden Steps to More Wealth and Happiness (HarperCollins) and inventor of Afformations.

He helps people get rid of the head trash that's holding them back and stop living with one foot on the brake. Free book excerpt at SuccessClinic.com

Follow Noah St. John on Twitter: www.twitter.com/noahstjohn

Comments

[May2002]

I agree with Mr. Noah.

I have read many recent articles about Michael. It makes me sympathetic. His childhood was a sacrifice for his father's ambition and his family's livilihood. Before he could develop a healthy sense of self, he was forced to identify himself only with his music and his career. In such a tender age, he was criticized by his father as being ugly--no wonder he tried to fix his appearance to an extent almost ruining his face. Certainly his family didn't instill in him the right value. No one should base ones identity by external acceptance alone, because it is dangerous since no one has control over it.

Witnessing the recent development of Michael's death, one can have a clue. It seems like that his family doesn't need time to get over from his death but has started to focus on his potential fortune. They are already ready to fight all the legal battles, such as the custody of his children, by extension the custody of his estate, only few days after his death.

Michael's self-destruction is a reflection of a dysfunctional family. A functional family will do its very best to prevent its member from any self-destructive pattern. Now, Michael is gone and his family will continue to enjoy the benefits of Michael's fame and fortune. Shouldn't they do more before he reached to this conclusion? Why should they even need to request further autopsy? Shouldn't they know better?

[marc1antony]

this is an example of doing an OBJECTIVE, yet TRUTHFUL piece without condemning the dead... kudos.

[Noah St. John - Huffpost Blogger]

Thank you, I am glad you enjoyed the piece.

[Mari Smith]

Noah, having met you in person and knowing your work as I do, I think you've done a beautiful job here of revealing a different perspective about a wonderful human being such as Michael Jackson. He was an incredible performer all his life and has left a timeless legacy. And yes, sadly he underwent a lot of struggle and inner turmoil. If more people read your awesome book, they may have a better appreciation for where you're coming from in regard to Michael et al. I know how much your intent is heartfelt and caring.

By the way, just the other week, I had the great pleasure of meeting Michael Jackson's makeup artist of 25 years on a filmset in Hollywood. She shared with me about Michael's upcoming (ambitious!) tour and how she'd be accompanying him. It seems so sad he passed just as he was about to do again what he does best - perform.

[Noah St. John - Huffpost Blogger]

Thank you, Mari. I really appreciate your comment.

And yes, his was a tragic personal story played out on the world stage. I only wish he had installed healthier Systems of Support, because it would have made a world of difference.

[Marlee Huber]

Good food for thought. I just finished a conference call with my Noevir consultants where we discussed head trash. We all have it, but I certainly never considered that the most talented have the most. I never considered that the support system of the very talented could be so counterproductive. Wow! Something to be thankful for--no great talent and no great head trash! And no support system that enables bad behavior.

Thank you, Noah, for your insight. You have enriched my life and the lives of my Noevir associates.
Marlee Huber

[Noah St. John - Huffpost Blogger]

You are most welcome, Marlee. I'm truly delighted to hear from you.

Keep me posted on your success story and that of your associates, k?

~Noah

[BobLablah]

If you find someone for whom death is not inevitable please let us know.

[fmjohnson]

Woah, Chris Farley? Gifted? In the same sentence with Michael Jackson and Elvis Presley? Come one. SURELY you could have picked a different example of a TRULY gifted performer whose demons led to their early demise. John Belushi? Kurt Cobain? Jimi Hendrix? Heath Ledger? Hank Williams? Nick Drake? Even Marilyn Monroe had more talent than Chris Farley.