In 1993, Michael Jackson told Oprah he would never want a white actor to play him

This week, it was announced that English actor Joseph Fiennes would play Michael Jackson in a BBC television film. Twitter didn’t take the news very well, especially with the still brewing Oscars race controversy fresh in people’s minds. However, a 1993 interview with Oprah Winfrey shows that Jackson would have been equally upset.

In the clip, Oprah asked Jackson about a rumor that the now deceased pop star wanted a white person to play him in a Pepsi ad. Jackson rolled his eyes, and angrily refuted the rumor.

“That’s the most ridiculous, horrifying story I’ve ever heard,” said Jackson. “Why would I want a white child to play me? I’m a black American. I’m proud to be a black American. I am proud of my race. I am proud of who I am. I have a lot of pride in who I am and dignity.”

Jackson was so upset by the allegation that Winfrey had to cut him off and move to another question.

Although Fiennes is only playing Jackson in a TV movie, which is ineligible for the Oscars, the Academy may just try to find a way for Fiennes to be nominated for his performance.

Watch (the clip starts at the relevant part of the interview):

https://youtu.be/BbItFJJPPmA?t=23m45s

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