Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, was known for his unique fashion choices, but none were as iconic as his single white glove adorned with rhinestones.
While many assumed it was merely a fashion statement, Cicely Tyson, an actor and friend of Jackson, revealed that the glove served a more practical purpose.
Michael Jackson first donned the single glove in 1983 during a performance marking Motown's 25th anniversary. In a later interview, Jackson mentioned that wearing one glove felt "cool," and two gloves seemed "ordinary."
However, Tyson disclosed that the glove was designed to conceal Jackson's skin condition, vitiligo.
Vitiligo is a long-term skin condition characterized by the loss of pigment, resulting in white patches on the skin. According to Tyson, the glove was specifically made to camouflage the signs of this condition. She was present when the glove was being created and stated,
"The glove was to camouflage it. That's how that glove came into being."
Jackson himself confirmed his condition in a rare interview with Oprah Winfrey. He expressed his pain over the media's speculation about his skin color, stating,
"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."
The glove, therefore, was not just a fashion accessory but a shield against public scrutiny and personal discomfort. It symbolizes the complexities of Jackson's life, where even a simple glove carried layers of meaning.
