Wednesday marks the fifth anniversary of Michael Jackson's tragic sudden death in his home at age 50. As Jackson family members and fans around the world pay tribute the late pop star, his legacy lives on through his children, music and rare candid interviews about his complicated life, like the one he gave Oprah in 1993.
Back then, Jackson had invited Oprah to his California home, Neverland Ranch, for his first interview in more than 14 years. During the conversation, the King of Pop revealed his deepest desire and life's purpose.
In the above video from "The Oprah Show" archives, Oprah asked Jackson what it feels like to have legions of loyal fans screaming for him and cheering wildly when he performs.
"[It feels like] love," Jackson told her. "I feel lots of love. I feel blessed and honored to be able to be an instrument of nature that was chosen to give them that."
Giving the world music, he added, was why he was put on this earth. "My purpose, I think, [is] to give in the best way I can -- through song, through dance, through music," Jackson said. "I am committed to my art."
Jackson explained that art in any form acts as a union between the material and the spiritual, the human and the divine. "I believe that to be the reason for the very existence of art, and I feel I was chosen as an instrument to give music and love and harmony to the world," he told Oprah.
"What do you want the world to know about you most?" Oprah asked.
Jackson answered that he wanted to be known for being a great artist. "I love when I do and I love people to love what I do," he said. "I just simply want to be loved, wherever I go."
More on Michael Jackson:
What Oprah really thought about her 1993 Michael Jackson interview
Janet Jackson on the family's failed attempts to help Michael
The last time Lisa Marie Presley spoke to ex-husband Michael Jackson
What sister La Toya Jackson wishes the world knew about Michael
More from "The Oprah Winfrey Show" archives
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Back then, Jackson had invited Oprah to his California home, Neverland Ranch, for his first interview in more than 14 years. During the conversation, the King of Pop revealed his deepest desire and life's purpose.
In the above video from "The Oprah Show" archives, Oprah asked Jackson what it feels like to have legions of loyal fans screaming for him and cheering wildly when he performs.
"[It feels like] love," Jackson told her. "I feel lots of love. I feel blessed and honored to be able to be an instrument of nature that was chosen to give them that."
Giving the world music, he added, was why he was put on this earth. "My purpose, I think, [is] to give in the best way I can -- through song, through dance, through music," Jackson said. "I am committed to my art."
Jackson explained that art in any form acts as a union between the material and the spiritual, the human and the divine. "I believe that to be the reason for the very existence of art, and I feel I was chosen as an instrument to give music and love and harmony to the world," he told Oprah.
"What do you want the world to know about you most?" Oprah asked.
Jackson answered that he wanted to be known for being a great artist. "I love when I do and I love people to love what I do," he said. "I just simply want to be loved, wherever I go."
More on Michael Jackson:
What Oprah really thought about her 1993 Michael Jackson interview
Janet Jackson on the family's failed attempts to help Michael
The last time Lisa Marie Presley spoke to ex-husband Michael Jackson
What sister La Toya Jackson wishes the world knew about Michael
More from "The Oprah Winfrey Show" archives
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