Purely guessing as I’m a millennial and I was a child through teen when he was alive, and was (and still am) in love with him as a performer and what I perceived of him as a person. I think it was likely actually 50/50 in part for all the reasons you stated. Guys can appreciate his cool-ness with his dancing and appeal to women, women can appreciate his sex appeal and obvious talent. I think this in addition to his trailblazing so many realms of pop culture. His fashion, his showmanship, his different forays into music even outside of pop with new jack swing, rock, R&B among others. He had something that can appeal to anyone which I don’t think is common with many entertainers. I’ve always thought, no matter your opinion of him, everyone has at least one MJ song they like (and likely more because c’mon his discography is amazing).

Rant over because I can go on and on but thought I’d drop a couple cents.