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):
