Michael Jackson was a picky dresser, and he wanted to stand out. That’s why his costumes had a lot of details that made everyone wonder why they were there and what they meant. For example, almost every jacket Michael Jackson wore had an armband on the right sleeve, and some of his jackets also had “777” sewn onto them.
We at Bright Side are fascinated with Michael Jackson`s wardrobe, and we`re ready to reveal some of the secrets behind his costumes!
1. Why he wore smaller costumes at the end of his shows
Michael Jackson`s dance routines were very physically strenuous, and he gave his all during his performances. By the end of the show, he would often lose up to 5 lbs, and his waist would become one inch thinner. And since it was important that his clothes fit perfectly, so that he could show off his dance moves, every next costume was a bit smaller than the previous one.
2. How his lean shoes worked
Michael Jackson`s shoes that helped him defy the laws of gravity had a V-shaped clasp at the bottom of the heels. With its help, he could hook into a nail attached to the floor and perform his famous 45-degree forward tilt. However, to be able to do that and to keep his whole body straight, an incredible amount of core and leg strength was also needed.
3. Why he only wore one glove
Michael had vitiligo, a skin condition where patches of your skin lose pigment. It started on his hand and he wanted to cover it up. And he thought it would look too ordinary to wear 2 gloves, so he would only wear one.
4. Why almost every jacket had an armband on the right sleeve
Michel Jackson just wanted his clothes to be different from everyone else’s. And having an armband on a sleeve makes your look distinguishable. Michael also liked to make his fans wonder why that armband was there.
5. Why there are 3 № 7s sewn onto his jackets
Michael was the 7th child in his family. Also, he was born in 1958, and if you add 19 plus 58, it equals 77.
6. Why he never polished his shoes
Once, the singer`s managers were concerned about the condition of his shoes and asked his costume designer to polish them. He did it, but it made Michael extremely angry. He explained that the leather was worn off exactly as he needed it to be, and that polishing would make it too slippery for him to perform his dance moves.
7. Why he wore white socks
Michael loved wearing white socks for several reasons. No one else wore white socks with black shoes. Moreover, they would catch the light and attract attention to the movements of his feet when he was dancing.
8. Why he taped his fingers
Hand movements were an important part of Michael Jackson`s dance routines. So he and his costume designers decided to wrap white tape around his fingers in order to attract more light. Michael also decided it would be more unusual to only tape his index, ring, and pinkie fingers. It was also fun for him, because fans would ask why only 3 of his fingers were taped.
When Michael danced, he would unconsciously put his 2 untaped fingers together. And that would also add mysteriousness to his performances, since the fans would think this sign had a secret meaning.
9. What the letters CTE on his jackets stand for
These letters don`t stand for anything. In the 90s, Michael`s costume designers created a few new shirts for him. He liked them, but he wanted to add some letters on the epaulets. He said it didn`t matter which ones, so his costume designers put all of the letters of the alphabet into a hat, and took 3 of them out at random. That`s where the letters “CTE” came from.
Do you think Michael Jackson had great taste in clothes? Is there any costume of his that you like in particular? We`d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
Preview photo credit Smooth Criminal / Quincy Jones Productions
Zendaya’s Bold Cher-Inspired Look at Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Is It a Fashion Win or Fail
Source: Getty Images
Even though some people criticized Zendaya’s Cher-inspired outfit, others praised her for it. Cher was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame just months after she expressed disappointment about not being recognized sooner.
At the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in Cleveland, Ohio, on October 19, 2024, Zendaya paid tribute to the music legend Cher by wearing a sparkling dress. The 27-year-old actress and fashion icon spoke warmly about Cher, sharing her admiration for the artist.
Zendaya’s beaded gown featured a design that exposed her midriff, highlighting her fit figure.
Zendaya’s dress at the event featured criss-cross straps across her chest and had cutouts that made the gold and skin-colored gown look both bold and stylish. The design was daring yet chic.
Zendaya’s outfit paid homage to a famous look from the 1970s when Cher was known for her daring fashion choices and her own music and variety show.
Along with her stunning gown, Zendaya styled her long, sleek black hair with a perfect middle part. She wore golden stiletto heels that made her tall figure even more striking.
At one point, she added a luxurious white coat with gold embroidery to her outfit. She kept her accessories simple, adding just a bit of sparkle with her bracelets and ring.
In addition to taking solo photos, Zendaya posed with other stars like Dua Lipa and Cher, who wore an all-black outfit.
As the evening went on, Zendaya honored Cher with a heartfelt speech that resonated with everyone in the audience.
Standing confidently at the podium, Zendaya shared her admiration for Cher and the impact she has had on many generations.
“Thank you, Cher,” Zendaya began. “Thank you for being an advocate, for paving the way for many people to speak their truth and be open-hearted.”
Quoting Cher, Zendaya added, “‘You should never be inhibited by what people expect you to do.’ I hope we can all live by those words.”
While Zendaya’s tribute to Cher captivated the audience, her bold outfit sparked mixed reactions online. Many acknowledged her beauty, but some were not fond of her look.
One person commented, “She’s gorgeous, but this is too revealing.” Another asked, “Does she really need to be almost naked? She looks sad in it.”
Someone compared her outfit to a famous pop culture reference, saying, “Zendaya is beautiful, but the dress looks like a ‘Princess Leia’ costume. It leaves nothing to the imagination.”
Others were concerned about the message her outfit sent. “Beautiful, but why do talented women need to undress for attention?” questioned one comment.
Another person noted a trend among celebrities, saying, “Why do women feel like they have to be almost naked to be relevant? It feels wrong.”
Some people criticized the outfit for lacking creativity, with one commenter stating, “Women dressed like this acting ‘edgy’ is old and boring.”
Yet, amidst the criticism, some fans praised Zendaya. “Zendaya outdid herself! She looks absolutely stunning!” said one admirer.
Another fan embraced the Cher-inspired look, saying, “Total Cher vibes! Gorgeous!”
While Zendaya’s outfit sparked conversation, the main focus of the evening was Cher’s long-awaited induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Cher’s career spans seven decades, making her influence on music, film, and pop culture truly remarkable.
From her early days with Sonny Bono to becoming a solo superstar, Cher has continuously evolved and stayed relevant in the entertainment world.
During her acceptance speech, Cher spoke candidly about the challenges she has faced in her life and career, saying it was easier to get divorced twice than to receive this honor.
Despite the hurdles, Cher emphasized the importance of perseverance, stating, “The one thing that I have never done is give up.”
Her speech included personal stories, from her childhood dreams to her groundbreaking success with the song “Believe,” which changed the music industry.
Cher shared how the song came about almost by accident but became a defining moment for her.
With humility, she said, “I’m a good singer, not a great singer. You know what? I’ll take it.” At one point, she addressed the women in the audience.
Cher expressed admiration for women’s strength, saying, “We’ve been down and out, and we keep going. We are special.”
She concluded her speech by thanking her family and close friends.
Before this honor, Cher had expressed her frustration about not being inducted sooner. In December 2023, she appeared on “The Kelly Clarkson Show” and shared her feelings about the snub.
During the interview, Kelly praised Cher’s career, saying, “You have number ones spanning seven decades!” Cher replied, “Two of us have.”
When Kelly learned that Cher wasn’t in the Hall of Fame at that time, she was shocked. Cher responded sharply, “I wouldn’t be in it now if they gave me $1 million.”
However, when the time came for Cher to be inducted, she accepted the honor with gratitude and defiance.
In May 2024, ahead of the induction, Cher attended the premiere of “Bob Mackie: Naked Illusion,” where she expressed appreciation for those who supported her induction.
While talking to Entertainment Tonight, Cher thanked David Geffen and John Sykes for their efforts.
Yet, true to her style, she hinted that she would speak her mind at the ceremony. “I’m going to have some words to say. I’m going to accept it as me,” she added. Cher certainly did not hold back during her induction acceptance speech.
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