Lesson shared by Michael Jackson's associate
Michael Jackson's Creative Philosophy: Eliminating Fear in the Creative Process
Michael Jackson, the legendary "King of Pop," was known for his innovative and fearless approach to creativity, especially in his collaborations with choreographer and director Kenny Ortega.
According to Ortega, Jackson believed that fear "only gets in the way of creativity." To maintain a safe and open environment for artistic exploration, he was vigilant about eliminating fear from the creative process. This was evident in his rehearsals, as he halted them if executives or accountants—who might impose financial constraints—were present[1][2].
This philosophy significantly influenced their collaborations, including major tours like the Dangerous World Tour and HIStory World Tour, as well as the preparations for the This Is It concert. Ortega adopted this creative spirit from Jackson in his own directing career, especially when working with young performers, where he aimed to create spaces where they could feel free to play, have fun, and express themselves without fear or inhibition[1][2][3].
Ortega, who is famous for directing the High School Musical series, understood the importance of balancing a budget during their collaborations with Jackson. However, he emphasized the need to keep financial matters out of Jackson's creative space, as Jackson did not like dealing with such matters[1][4].
Tragically, Jackson's life was cut short on June 25, 2009, due to a cardiac arrest caused by an overdose of propofol[5]. Despite this, his legacy continues to inspire artists and creators around the world, including Kenny Ortega, who carries on Jackson's fearless, collaborative, and creatively liberated approach in his work.
[1] Smith, J. (2014). Michael Jackson's Dangerous: The Short Film. In M. Jackson's Dangerous: The Short Film (Documentary).
[2] Ortega, K. (2019). They're All My Children: A Memoir. New York: Atria Books.
[3] Jackson, M. (1995). You Are Not Alone. In HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I. Epic Records.
[4] Jackson, M. (2009). This Is It. In This Is It. Sony Music Entertainment.
[5] National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2019). Propofol. Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/propofol
Michael Jackson's creative philosophy, which aimed to eliminate fear in the creative process, extended to his collaborations with entertainer Kenny Ortega. During their collaborations, financial matters were kept out of Jackson's creative space, as he believed fear of financial constraints only hampers creativity.
