Published by the government of Zimbabwe
Conway Tutani
3 July 2009
(Page 2 of 2)
Maybe each megastar needs an obligatory foil nearby to constrain them from wandering into delusion and have their feet firmly on the ground so as to remain in touch with reality, a sort of devil's advocate, not idolisers who worship the ground they walk on.
People who take all you say unquestioningly and uncritically are most dangerous.
The world ended up owning MJ.
He was no longer - if ever he was - his own man.
I remember seeing Lazarus "Gringo" Boora determinedly refusing to fall into the bait of entertaining the public as he walked in the city centre on private business a few years ago at the prime of his popularity.
Initially I thought that he was being extremely rude by ignoring his fans, but I later came to the realisation that the message he was sending was: "Gringo is not Boora; Boora is not Gringo! It's out of working hours! I don't carry work home or on the streets for that matter!"
He was drawing a firm line that he has his own private life like everybody else.
Stars, if not careful, end up acting their lives instead of living them if they dont make this distinction.
It is the proverbial tale of life imitating art instead of vice versa. They should resist from being consumed in and by stardom.
Acclaimed British guitarist Eric "Slow Hand" Clapton has been to "hell and back" after recovering from drug and alcohol addiction.
Legendary African-American blues guitarist and singer BB King is still going strong on the demanding live performance circuit well into his 80s.
Was MJ living in the fantasy of Neverland, some super-talented Peter Pan who did not hear the curtain call? It was sad to see how MJ had become a caricature of his vibrant, charming past.
Maybe the most honest summation of MJ's life is that by his long-time friend Rev Sharplton: "I didn't always agree with Michael, but he was a strong historical force."
Rest in peace, MJ. You were great, warts and all.
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