An interesting story on CNN’s website this morning tells of a television news anchor, Lee Thomas, who is dealing with vitiligo, a disease that destroys the pigment of the skin. This anchor has revealed his condition in order to help others who are going through the same thing, something the director of the National Vitiligo Foundation describes as a disease that attacks the soul and psyche.
Another (and much more famous) vitiligo sufferer, Michael Jackson, has often been the subject of choice for late-night jokesters, many insinuating that the change in his skin color was intentional. Most people wouldn’t put anything past a celebrity that would drastically alter his nose and exhibit bizarre behavior, but perhaps we should ponder what role vitiligo might have played in his obvious issues with self-esteem.
When Michael tearfully announced the reason for his changing skin color during an interview with Oprah in 1993, it was evident that the issue was quite painful. After explaining that he used makeup to even out the skin tone, he was asked why he doesn’t use brown makeup. Jackson claimed that most of his skin is already white, so using that much brown makeup was not an option.
It started happening relatively early, he even was trying to hide it from me..he tried to hide it for quite awhile. He’d always try to cover it with makeup and even out his skin tone until it got so extensive. It’s all over his body. We were always trying to hide it and cover it for the longest time until he just had to tell Oprah and tell the world, ‘Listen I’m not trying to be white, I have a skin disease.’
In the beginning I tried to cover the light spots to match the darker part of his skin, but then it became so extensive that we had to go with the lighter part of his skin because his whole body was reacting…he’d have to be in complete full body makeup, every inch of his body. So it was easier to make the transition to him being to the lighter shade that he is. - Karen Faye, Jackson’s longtime makeup artist
Skeptics immediately pounced on Jackson, spreading rumors of skin-bleaching products and internalized racism. Many claimed that Michael no longer wanted to be black. Some said that he so despised his father that he altered his very race. Others said that he became unidentifiable sexually and racially so that he could appeal to a broader audience.
I’m a black American, I am proud of my race. I am proud of who I am. I have a lot of pride and dignity.
We tried to control it and using make-up evens it out because it makes blotches on my skin. I have to even out my skin. But you know what’s funny, why is that so important? That’s not important to me.
I’m a great fan of art. I love Michaelangelo, if I had a chance to talk to him or read about him I would want to know what inspired him to become who he is, the anatomy of his craftsmanship, not about who he went out with last night… I mean that’s what is important to me. - Michael Jackson, 1993
I’ve seen plenty of pictures that would seem to prove that Michael does indeed suffer from this affliction. The following photos were taken a few years ago when Jackson suffered a life-threatening brown recluse spider bite. Although the wound is the most prominent feature in the photographs, they also reveal that his legs have undergone a dramatic change in skin color.
The following photograph was taking during the filming of Michael’s short film “They Don’t Care About Us”, and it clearly shows blotches on his chest and arms.
When one considers the emotional turmoil that such a condition might have on a person that lives in the spotlight, the gloves, surgical masks, and long wigs begin to make a bit more sense.
Here’s Michael on a recent shopping excursion, wrapped head to toe and covering his skin with adhesive bandages. This man seems so uncomfortable in his own skin that’s he’s become a tragic shadow of his former self.
As for the news anchor I mentioned earlier, he’s decided to stop wearing makeup when he’s off camera, and believes that vitiligo has actually had a positive impact on his life.
Having this disease forces me to focus on what I am: kind, caring, honest. There are people who have diseases that will kill them.
Read more about vitiligo here.
10 Comments
Brian, you are right. Now Michael’s disguises do make much more sense to me. I am so very guilty of staring at people with this disease. I had no idea what it was until today. Thank you for helping educate your readers.
This may be one of the most important subjects your blog has ever addressed, Brian.
Lee Thomas is one courageous and commendable man!
Can I just say thank you for your well written report about Lee Thomas and Michael Jackson? I’ve passed by another blog with the same article, yet they still made snide remarks that Michael Jackson still does not have vitiligo! I find this not only humorous, but obvious denial. It is most evident that he has the same vitiligo skin spots as Thomas displayed, in those candid photos from 2002 that his dermatologist released, that of course most people have not seen as well as the behind the scenes shots from the ‘They Don’t Care About Us’ music video.
Excellent post, Brian. Thank you for the education. It does explain a bit more about Michael Jackson’s change in skin color. I wish he would have left the rest of himself more intact, but I think you hit the nail on the head when you said,”This man seems so uncomfortable in his own skin that’s he’s become a tragic shadow of his former self.”
Lee Thomas is inspiring!
@ fightingwindmills: I have to make an effort not to stare, too. It’s kind of intriguing to me, but I’m sure the afflicted person doesn’t appreciate my interest.
@ Karen: Yes, he is!
@ the floacist: You’re more than welcome. I’m so sick and tired of everyone heaping their hatred on this man. He’s obviously not well, but I honestly don’t believe he’s hurting anyone. By all counts, his children are well-balanced, well-behaved, and well taken care of. That’s all that matters.
@ Moonbeam McQueen: I wish he had, too. There was a period after a couple of nose jobs where I think he was absolutely gorgeous, if in an androgynous way.
There is another reason for MJ to cover himself from head to toe, wearing veils and such: the loss of pigmentation from vitiligo makes the skin extremely sensitive to the sun; a person can burn very quickly. I imagine he needs to protect himself from more than just stares.
Brian (I think it’s Brian) writes: When one considers the emotional turmoil that such a condition might have on a person that lives in the spotlight, the gloves, surgical masks, and long wigs begin to make a bit more sense.
Dear Ones,
I believe if one turned this comment upside-down it would be closer to the truth: that when one considers the emotional turmoil of a person living in the spotlight (alone with early-life trauma,abuse, etc), the vitiligo makes more sense.
Once the vit sets in, it’s the ouroborous (snake biting its own tail) — the emotions equal the vit equal the emotions ad infinitum. The cycle can be broken.
and btw, I love Michael J.
my husband has this on his hand. and no where else. and he is beating his self up thinking that it will some day be on his face. he is 30 years old, and i need help to bring up his spirit. he was going to get a tatoo over it.and he didnt what can i do . plese help me to help him. I love him and when it hurt him it is hurting me too.
@ Sharicka: I wish I could help you in some way, but I don’t know how. Just remind your husband that it doesn’t always spread or worsen, read as much about it as you can, and keep loving him.
Although the complete annihilation of the vitiligo from your body is a difficult matter, whereas original color of skin can be brought back.
Actually vitiligo is irregularity of internal resistive system of human beings, and currently there are no known permanent ways to treat this process.
Vitiligo results from a derangement of your normal defense mechanisms against infection. The body starts producing antibodies against pigment producing cells of its own skin
If you use tropical treatment it is fast and have not side effect.
Never disheart there are always cure of every disease.