Michael Jackson’s glove was an iconic part of his image on stage and fascinated many. While the exact reason for wearing the glove is unknown, there are several suggestions as to why Michael added it into his brand.
It’s been suggested that Michael may have worn the glove due to his skin condition vitiligo while others have said it was done to manipulate the press.
In a rare conversation with Oprah Winfrey, Michael confirmed that he had a skin condition and mentioned that he found it hurtful when it was discussed in the media.
Michael said: “This is the situation, I have a skin disorder that destroys the pigmentation of the skin. It is something I cannot help, OK?
“But when people make up stories that I don’t want to be what I am it hurts me … It’s a problem for me that I can’t control.”
A simpler suggestion is that Michael liked to try new things and used it as a way to be unique and creative with his on-stage costume.
According to The Independent, Michael once spoke about why he decided to wear one glove instead of two.
“I felt that one glove was cool… wearing two gloves seemed so ordinary,” Michael explained.
Michael Jackson’s fascination with the white glove is said to have started around the time of the release of The Jackson 5’s track ‘Can You Feel It’ in 1980.
Michael is said to have visited the Robert Abel & Associates production company and got the idea for the glove whilst on a tour of the facilities.
John Kehe is said to have conducted the tour with Michael and recounted his experience of how their meeting inspired Michael’s iconic costume piece.
In an article for the Christian Science Monitor, John explained that as he showed Michael around the premises they entered into an editing suite. It was here that Michael saw chief film editor Rick Ross editing a television advert.
Rick is said to have been searching for an editing point and ran one of his hands through the film on which he wore a single, white, disposable cotton glove.
“Michael, who hadn’t shown any particular enthusiasm for the tour so far, seemed suddenly transfixed by the glove,” John wrote in the article.
“[He] politely asked a number of questions about it, concluding with, ‘Could you spare one?’ But of course.”