Michael Jackson, Magic Johnson & KFC
July 8, 2009 by Sean Kelly
Filed under Business
Magic Johnson’s remembrance of the King of Pop’s love for Kentucky Fried Chicken, delivered at the Michael Jackson Memorial service, was a touching tribute to some, but has been criticized as crass commercialism and product placement by others.
Some cite promotional ties between KFC and Magic Johnson (Magic Johnson Criticized for MJ KFC Story).
Commenters on YouTube and elsewhere allege Michael Jackson was vegetarian and therefore could not be a fan of KFC.
evegotch wrote:
Michael Jackson WAS a devoted vegetarian. Magic Johnson is a money-grubbing LIAR!
todnyc wrote:
He’s not exaggerating–he’s actually just flat out LYING about that even happening at all, because anyone who has read about MJ’s personal life would know that he had been a strict vegetarian for his entire adult life.
upcycle wrote:
You think KFC paid him to tell that story? MJ said in his book Moonwalker that he is vegatarian, MJ would not eat chicken as a vegatarian….
Michael Jackson’s obsession with KFC is well-documented.
Despite the rantings of YouTube conspiracy theorists, Michael Jackson was clearly a KFC fan.
The NewsCom.com picture above is captioned:
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – Sunday October 5 2008. Pictured; One of Michael Jackson’s security detail gets some take out at a KFC. Michael Jackson does some incognito shopping in Los Angeles with Paris and Prince Michael Jackson. With their faces covered by masks, Jackson took his two oldest kids to the Golden Apple comic book store on Melrose Avenue. Surrounded by umbrella-toting security guards, they then went on a drive for two hours before stopping at a branch of KFC for a budget-concious large bucket of chicken. Whilst one of the bodyguards purchased the KFC, another hopped across the road to a local liquor store. Photograph: Anthony Monterotti
During one of Michael Jackson’s trials, a flight attendant allegedly testified that Jackson ate Kentucky Fried Chicken on every flight.
TMZ.com ran photographs of Michael Jackson’s limo at a KFC Drive-thru (Jacko — Finger Lickin’ Good) and celebrity sites have interviews with references to Jackson’s devotion to KFC (Michael Jackson Thinks Eating KFC Without Skin “Is Organic”).
So while most of the conspiracy theories supposedly proving that Magic Johnson made up the anecdote at Michael Jackson’s memorial service are easily dismissed, the question of commercial motive for the Magic Johnson’s KFC eulogy remains. What do you think?
Read: Magic Johnson Criticized for MJ KFC Story,
Well, now we know what stopped Michael Jackson’s heart – KFC!
Good observation, Chris
Unless people are just tuning in to American, if not World, culture, all persons in the public eye are suspect of being straight up liars! Jackson being a big one! I think telling Journalist Martin Bashir that he had, “..two, NO, one surgery.. I’ve only had ONE surgery..on my nose”, should clue you in . The man was more made up than all the hookers on the planet!
Michael Jackson preferred to be vegetarian but he was not a strict vegetarian. In fact, according to his doctor, his last meal was chicken and romaine lettuce.
Also, KFC now markets themselves as “KFC” and not “Kentucky Fried Chicken” anymore. NONE of their advertising uses the original name of the company. A whole generation doesn’t even know what “KFC” stands for! Magic only referred to it as “Kentucky Friend Chicken” and not “KFC.”
I’d say it’s a one in a million years coincidence… of magic johnson starring in a KFC commercial some 10 years ago (you can look it up on youtube) and him having this ‘unique’ moment with Michael to share with the world. Definitely shameless brand endorsement.
@ Eslon T (commenting above): please get your facts right. The official site of KFC has “Kentucky Fried Chicken” written in whole everywhere, including on the homepage.
I realize talking about them only gets them more publicity, but at least maybe it will open some people’s minds: I saw people commenting that they would take their kdis to KFC as a tribute to MJ… outrageous!
A delightful, equalizing, humanizing moment!
–And a priceless, finger-licking-good, unintentional plug that made my Louisville, KY, heart SING with anticipation of increased Kentucky Fried (& grilled) Chicken sales. KFC Headquarters are located right here in the home of the Kentucky Derby. (No, I am not a KFC employee, but neither is Magic.)
Honestly, the world is full of cynics. I absolutely think Michael did eat KFC at least once in a while. There was an article about a man who acted as MJ’s temporary chauffuer while he was on the BAD tour in 1988, and he said one of the first places MJ requested to go from the airport was KFC. Just because he became a vegetarian at one point doesn’t mean he never ever ate meat ever again. Lots of vegetarians “break down” once in a while, especially if they were meat eaters before.
I thought the anecdote was refreshing and sweet, and exactly what a eulogy should be about. Al Shapton’s lofty comments about racial union fell flat compared to this sweet, personal story by Johnson that elicited laughs from the Jackson family and the rest of the audience. Was Johnson also trying to plug KFC? Hell maybe, but even so, who cares? I have no doubt that the story is true, and it humanized MJ, which I think is important when a star of this kind of fame passes on. What do you know? MJ had a weakness for KFC, just like millions of the rest of us.
I don’t doubt that the story is true (Jackson definitely is known to have liked KFC), but I also don’t doubt that Magic Johnson (a former pitchman for KFC and probably a shareholder in the company) saw an opportunity here to make a plug.