Lionel Richie opens up in his memoir, revealing a savage nickname he gave Michael Jackson due to the King of Pop’s poor hygiene habits. Read more about their friendship and the eccentric side of MJ.
In a candid revelation from his new memoir, Truly, Lionel Richie has shared an eye-opening detail about his friendship with Michael Jackson. The legendary singer admits to giving the King of Pop a not-so-flattering nickname due to his quirky hygiene habits.
Richie, now 76, reflects on his long friendship with Jackson, who he describes as being incredibly close to his family, especially his siblings and mother. However, when Jackson transitioned into his solo career and became a global superstar, he found himself ‘in charge of his own ship,’ Richie explains. This new lifestyle came with some eccentricities that his friend found both amusing and sometimes challenging.
One of the most surprising aspects Richie revealed was Jackson’s lack of attention to fresh laundry. In the memoir, Richie recalls how Jackson would avoid dry cleaners because his clothes were often taken by fans as souvenirs. “Everybody kept something,” Richie says, which led to Jackson wearing the same outfits until they were practically worn out. This odd behavior, paired with a noticeable disregard for hygiene, led to Richie giving Jackson a savage nickname.
Richie describes Jackson as being “like an absent-minded professor but still a kid,” which was part of the charm but also contributed to his eccentric lifestyle. Unfortunately, it was this eccentricity, coupled with his apparent aversion to clean clothes, that earned him the nickname, which Richie humorously describes in his book.
It’s not the first time Michael Jackson’s hygiene habits have come under scrutiny. Back in 2014, five former housekeepers made shocking claims about his living conditions, describing his home as a “house of filth.” The staff alleged that Jackson would sometimes urinate on the floor and even threaten staff with “doo-doo snowballs.” One insider claimed, “Michael sometimes ran around where the animals were, and he’d track… poop throughout the house and think nothing of it.”
Despite these revelations, Lionel Richie remembers Jackson fondly, showcasing the eccentric side of the King of Pop that many did not see.
Richie’s memoir, Truly, is now available for readers eager to learn more about the man behind the hits and his unique friendship with one of the greatest entertainers of all time.
