What Michael Jackson Never Told You About Diana Ross | HO

What was the real connection between Michael Jackson and Diana Ross? Did their friendship go deeper than anyone knew? Why did Michael admire Diana so much and even name her in his will?

Were there hidden stories about their bond that he never shared? Could Diana have influenced Michael’s music and life? Let’s explore the secrets behind their relationship and what Michael never told the world.

Michael Jackson’s relationship with Diana Ross was one of the most complex, enigmatic, and heartfelt connections in the entertainment industry. While their bond was known publicly, there are many aspects of their relationship that remained hidden from the world. Diana Ross was an influential figure in Michael’s life, both personally and professionally, yet there were elements of their bond that Michael never fully shared with the public. Their relationship was built on deep admiration, love, and even heartbreak, which shaped much of Michael’s career and personal life.

Michael Jackson and Diana Ross first met in 1969, when the Jackson 5 were signed to Motown, the iconic label that Diana herself was a part of. Michael was just 11 years old at the time, and Diana was already an established star with The Supremes. Michael had the kind of raw talent that made him stand out, and Barry Gordy, the head of Motown, thought Michael was a once-in-a-generation talent, comparing him to legends like James Brown and Sammy Davis Jr.

While the story of Diana discovering the Jackson 5 is a popular myth, it’s important to note that Barry Gordy himself played a significant role in introducing Michael to Diana and the Motown scene. Their professional relationship began there, but it quickly grew deeper as Diana became a mentor to Michael. Michael was fascinated by Diana, and she became a maternal figure to him, offering guidance and support during the early years of his career.

Michael’s feelings for Diana went beyond admiration. He loved her deeply, even referring to her as “his mother, lover, and friend.” He once even called her “mama,” a sign of the closeness and affection he felt for her. For Michael, Diana was more than just a mentor; she was the woman he could never fully have.

In fact, Michael was once so infatuated with Diana that he considered marrying her. There were rumors that they were engaged not once, but twice, though Diana broke it off both times. She was 14 years older than him, and at the time, she was focused on her own career and personal life.

Diana’s hesitance to commit to Michael was partly because of their age difference, but also due to concerns about how their relationship might affect her career. Diana was a global superstar, and a relationship with a much younger man might have caused public backlash.

The rumors of their relationship continued to swirl throughout the years, and their interactions always had an air of mystery. Michael’s feelings for Diana remained intense, and even as Diana moved on with her own life, he never truly let go of her.

In 1977, Michael and Diana worked together on The Wiz, a reimagining of The Wizard of Oz in which Michael played the Scarecrow and Diana played Glinda the Good Witch. During the filming, they spent considerable time together, and there was one night when Diana stayed over at Michael’s apartment. The next day, an assistant was surprised to find that Diana was still there. Diana later joked with her friends that “Michael isn’t gay,” and Michael’s response was cryptic, stating that one would have to ask her what had happened.

Despite their playful exchanges, Michael’s feelings for Diana were far from casual. He even included her in the liner notes of his History album, calling her his “mysterious love.” It was clear that their bond was much deeper than what the public could see, yet it remained shrouded in secrecy. Michael often kept a photo of him and Diana in his pocket, showing the world just how much she meant to him.

One of the most intimate and revealing gestures Michael made was the creation of a special room in his home dedicated entirely to Diana Ross. This room was filled with photos and paintings of Diana, and thousands of candles were kept burning in front of her pictures 24/7. The idea of keeping candles burning for Diana was inspired by an old superstition that Michael had learned in his youth, which suggested that doing so would keep someone’s love from fading.

The room and the candles symbolized Michael’s unwavering love and admiration for Diana. It was an almost obsessive devotion to the woman he saw as both a muse and a guiding light in his life. To Michael, Diana was not just a friend; she was the “goddess” he couldn’t fully possess, and this room was his way of keeping her close, even though their relationship was complicated.

As time went on, Michael’s relationship with Diana became more strained, especially when Diana married Arne Naess, a Norwegian businessman, in 1986. Michael had mixed emotions about her marriage. On one hand, he was happy for her, as he wanted her to experience joy, but deep down, he was heartbroken. Michael had always hoped that he and Diana would be together, and her marriage to someone else devastated him.

In the early 1980s, when Diana promised to marry Michael, he thought his dream was finally coming true. She even wore his ring at public events, such as the Motown 25 special and the American Music Awards. However, Diana ultimately pulled away from the engagement, citing the pressures of public opinion and her concern for Michael’s image. In private, Michael struggled with the rejection, and his feelings of betrayal and heartbreak eventually found their way into his music.

In 1988, Michael released the song “Dirty Diana,” which was inspired by his tumultuous feelings toward Diana. The song depicted a woman who was both alluring and dangerous, and it was widely believed to be about Diana herself. While the lyrics were a mix of anger, sadness, and longing, Michael later admitted that he wrote the song as a way of processing his pain. It was his way of expressing how he felt about Diana’s emotional withdrawal, but it also reflected his frustration with how their relationship had unfolded.

Diana, however, did not take kindly to the song. After hearing “Dirty Diana,” she distanced herself from Michael for weeks. Michael’s once deep affection for her had turned into a source of tension, and the song was a public expression of his heartbreak. But after some time, Diana forgave him, and the two eventually resumed their friendship. In fact, Diana even recorded her own playful version of “Dirty Diana” as part of her performances.

Despite the ups and downs, Michael and Diana’s connection remained significant throughout their lives. They were constantly drawn back to one another, whether it was through their interactions in public or private moments. Diana was the one woman who seemed to have the power to both heal and hurt Michael, and their bond was full of complexity, unresolved feelings, and a deep emotional tie.

Michael Jackson and Diana Ross shared a unique relationship that was built on admiration, love, and unspoken emotions. While Michael’s public life was often a spectacle, there was a part of him that remained deeply attached to Diana, a woman who he saw as a mother, lover, and muse. Their bond shaped much of Michael’s life and music, but it also left him heartbroken in ways that he never fully revealed. Diana was the one love that Michael could never fully have, and their relationship, though filled with admiration and longing, remained a secret in many ways.

Though their story was filled with personal turmoil, it was also a testament to the power of love, heartbreak, and the complexities of human relationships. Michael Jackson’s feelings for Diana Ross were far more profound than the world ever knew, and the impact of their connection stayed with him throughout his life.