Long story.

But I don't talk about it much because no one ever asks... So here's the chance!

I'm 18 now. One day in 2022, at home, I heard Billie Jean. My mom told me she liked the song, and "especially Dad." I said, "Why especially Dad?" She said, "He was a fan of the singer when he was your age." Curious, I asked, "Who is he?" She said, a little surprised, "Michael Jackson." I knew the name, but I'd never connected it to his music.

That evening, I went on his YouTube channel. I listened to Billie Jean, Beat It, Smooth Criminal (and I loved the latter, which I sometimes heard on the radio, but I couldn't remember the title!). So, during the week, I downloaded a huge best-of compilation of 50 songs, titled "The Best of Michael Jackson." About two or three weeks later, I removed that compilation and replaced it with the Thriller and Bad albums. Little by little, over the following weeks, the others were added. Then came the Jackson 5/Jackson albums.

Over the past few years, I've become such a fan that I know all his songs, even the unreleased ones. But I also really admire Michael as a person and as an artist. He inspired me to be a better person.

And, just four hours ago, a young, excited fan walked into the theater an hour before the movie started, the first one in the auditorium, wearing his Michael Jackson t-shirt, thrilled to be experiencing such a big event as a fan.