MICHAEL JACKSON AND TATUM O’NEAL: YOUNG AND RESTLESS

Photo Credit: Buzz Foto

It’s hard to imagine that Michael Jackson ever looked so young and innocent. This photo was taken at some long-forgotten event by Brad Elterman in 1979. Michael Jackson, 21, was on a “date” with Tatum O’Neal, who was 16 at the time. Michael had just released “Off The Wall” and his future seemed unlimited. Tatum had won an Oscar for “Paper Moon” and her career was already tapering off. She was reportedly disappointed that Michael just wanted to be “friends” and their relationship went nowhere. Is it a coincidence that drugs were destined to have a major effect on both their lives?

6 Comments so far

1. By Reta
   On August 17, 2009 at

   Wow, this looks like his FIRST post nose job, too bad he didn’t leave well enough alone! As for Tatum, she was BRILLIANT in Paper Moon, just really BRILLIANT! But unfortunately, she is related to that douche Ryan O’Neal, hence…a lifetime of drugs and trouble.

   And MJ was ALREADY wierder than wierd at this age, this was his monkey period where he had to carry around on his hip either a monkey or a midget. Can you spell C-R-A-Z-Y?

2. By Raven
   On August 17, 2009 at

   No, Michael was not that weird at this point in his life. He had just one nose job and looked great. I believe he started carrying the monkey around circa Thriller, which was 1982-1984. This was the Off the Wall era, 1979-1981. He looked very natural and innocent here…

   Looking back, I wish he had put out more Off the Wall type CDs, before a monster like Thriller happened. He peaked so soon and obviously was NOT able to withstand that type of mega-stardom. Thriller really went to his head and after that point, everything seemed geared towards his “kingdom” status. Everything felt manufactured for maximum consumption. Then it seemed like he started to see his face as part of his performance or a song that could be perfected over and over. He kept working on it until there was nothing left of his nose. Then he messed up his voice due to his nose jobs, then the drugs, more surgeries….a vicious cycle. Talk about cutting off your nose to spite your face!

   The Off the Wall era and early Thriller era were his last days of innocence.

3. By captain america
   On August 18, 2009 at

   “THRILLER” brought indeed a “THRILLING” life, folks!!

4. By Bettye Bluejay
   On August 18, 2009 at

   That’s a bad nose, no wonder he kept going with the surgeries.

5. By Bu
   On August 18, 2009 at

   They were cute young ppl.

6. By karl anglin
   On September 3, 2009 at

   Interesting they both had fathers who messed
   up their lives.

6 Responses to “MICHAEL JACKSON AND TATUM O’NEAL: YOUNG AND RESTLESS”