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J. Randy Taraborrelli, the man who was sat right behind Michael Jackson in court as the verdicts came in, joins host Charles Thomson for the MJCast’s annual Vindication Day Special, recognizing the 21st anniversary of Jackson’s resounding 2005 acquittal.
Randy is the author of more than 20 books, most of which have become New York Times bestsellers, including his landmark Michael Jackson biography, The Magic and the Madness. After years of silence, he has granted The MJCast what he says will be his first and last Michael Jackson podcast interview.
He first met Michael in Philadelphia in 1970 (thanks to an invitation from Diana Ross) and last spoke to him in the years after the trial.
In this discussion, Randy tells Charles about getting to know Michael, writing his book, navigating the allegations in his dual role as a friend and a reporter, and almost coming to blows with Evan Chandler.
He recounts covering the trial, explains how the Cascio family drove him out of the Michael Jackson business, and tells us why he broke cover to participate in the controversial new Netflix series about the trial.
This emotional conversation is a true scoop for the MJCast, as Randy tells us stories he has never told publicly before, then vows never to give such an interview again.
This episode was edited by Charlie Carter.
Additional Links
• J. Randy Taraborrelli’s official website.
• Taraborrelli’s book on MJ, Michael Jackson: The Magic, The Madness, The Whole Story.
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If you have feedback on this Michael Jackson podcast episode, we’d love to hear from you. Contact us at themjcast@icloud.com or find the links to our many social networks on www.themjcast.com. Keep Michaeling.
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Wow! Thank-you….
It’s 13 of June in Australia and I just finished listening to the episode and I am very emotional about it. I’ve got both of Mr Taraborrelli’s books and last night I took out the first book and I’m gonna start reading today for a second time.Being vindication day today and as usual the Mj cast does something for that day I checked out and here we are an interview with Randy Taraborrelli and I love it, one thing am going to say I read Lisa’s Marie book and she says oh her book that she did asked Michael to settle the Chandler case.Thank you again.
Typing this comment a little sleepy today; it’s a rare time when I’m not able to stop listening to something; ended up going to sleep 2 hours after I planned lol
Fantastic questions and conversation; it was wonderful to hear from Taraborelli and his own friendship with Michael beyond the book. Really insightful to hear the moments where Michael was extremely competitive or rightfully angry; the latter we never really get to hear about firsthand.
Awesome interview as always, Charles!
I’ve been sort of on the fence with Taraborelli’s books, and this gave a great insight to his mind and relationship with M. I find him very reasonable, and my opinion about him being careless with some statements at times feels less important. We are all human. And he seems to be a really good person.
I would love to know if he is happy with the documentary and how they edited the interview with him. I have not watched it to be honest, but my sister – not an mj fan – did. She was upset by it at first, but was then able to debunk the whole doc in one evening of research.
Thank you for this episode! Great interview.
After listening to this interview I went online and bought the first edition of his biography on Michael.
This was really amazing interview.
The most transparent and truthful thoughts.
Thank you very much for sharing it with us