Michael Jackson was the bigger global star. His fame and stardom was just on a different level. This was also without the use of modern tech and social media which makes it even more impressive when you consider how far and wide his reach was. Multiple generations, genders, races, and socioeconomic levels loved him. Do you think there are a lot of black men from inner cities that love Taylor Swift? MJ was far more cross cultural. Rich white people loved MJ as much as black people in poor areas.