A real-life fairy tale: Michael Jackson and me

by Talitha Linehan

A real-life fairy Michael Jackson and me is a memoir by Irish fan Talitha Linehan, in which she describes seeing Michael perform at 17 HIStory concerts, meeting him at hotels and venues across Europe, the US, and Asia, spending a day with him at Neverland Valley, and becoming a daily presence around him during his final years. The book includes never-before-published photographs of Michael and Talitha, and messages he wrote to her, from her private collection. “You're my fairy tale, Michael.” “Oooh,” said Michael, and he brushed my cheek with his hand, making me flutter. This was the moment, under a starry sky in Las Vegas, when Talitha Linehan told Michael Jackson how she’d viewed him since childhood, not just as a man but as a magical being. It was a perception that never wavered, throughout hundreds of encounters she had with him over more than a decade, in public and in private, at venues and hotels across the world, inside his most famous home, Neverland Valley, and inside his final home, in Los Angeles. In this deeply personal memoir, Talitha recalls a journey that began when she discovered Michael, while growing up in the Irish countryside, and that ended when she last spoke to him, at a rehearsal studio in LA, on the last night of his life. By drawing on diary entries, she reveals the joy and heartache of loving and losing the most famous star on the planet, and a man she simply loves with all of her heart. Fans of the star will relate to the emotional heart of Talitha’s journey and gain new insight into the man behind the megastar, and his life, in public and in private, during his final years.

291 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2021

Reviews

[Stoyan Stoyanov]

More and more authors are deluding themselves that they have an interesting story to tell. In fact, their boring writings don't even deserve the paper on which their books are printed. Talitha Linehan's real-life fairy tale does not suffer from this vice. On the contrary, this beautiful lady from Ireland has managed to write an exciting and interesting book. Talitha deserves praise for her candid and detailed story. I wouldn't be mad at her if the book was bigger. In fact, I didn't want the book to end. It was so nice to stay in her company and "meet" Michael Jackson almost daily through her beautiful memories.

I wish she had described in more detail her impressions of Jackson's physical appearance over the years. Yes, there are a few sentences on the subject, but the author has more to share. I'm sure.

The chronological approach works well for the story. I do not understand why the author has violated this approach several times. The text could have been a little more critical, but fortunately her story never sounds like an idealized fan delusion.

Linehan's book is the most valuable, honest and compelling memoir about Michael Jackson, published in 2021. At least for now.

Talitha, thank you for sharing this emotional roller coaster with us!

[Simon Omnes]

Born in 1985, I witnessed Michael Jackson’s impact on pop culture and the reactions around him. Love for him; or contempt and mockery. Latter reflected in rags, magazines, and newspapers who attacked the singer. And although some embarked into their filth, I did not. Because those persistent attacks in demeaning everything about him were suspicious and smelled of bully vendetta against an artist who got success others wished they got; alongside attempts from certain media and celebrities to cover up their skeletons by attacking him. Especially when so many of the singer’s attackers/gossipers were caught with allegations. So even in 2005 and 2009, I only felt sympathy for the man. Though it wasn’t until the appearance of that debunked HBO flop-doc in 2019 that I snapped and decided to study the singer, his work, and life.

And from the moment I watched the 1992 Bucharest concert and saw that man’s authenticity glittering on stage; I strengthened my research. Analysing the personal accounts of more than 150 people who shared their experience with Michael Jackson (work, friendship, family, fan, etc.) and whose interviews are in podcasts, books, websites, tv shows, etc. Noticing right away how they all had good things to say about Michael. How, regarding those who interacted with the accusers (Arvizos, Robsons, Safechucks, Chandlers), they all had negative experiences with them. Which was confirmed when you explored their history and noticed that they have despicable backgrounds and antecedents exposing their hypocrisy and how they are scammers and liars.

So as to who is Michael Jackson, the best sources to report proper facts are not magazines, UK tabloids, or web rags, but rather people who interacted with him. And this book is another crucial testimonial worth discovering.

Written by Talitha Linehan, A real-life fairy tale: Michael Jackson and Me allows her to recount her many personal experiences with Michael Jackson. From her concert experiences to her visits in Neverland Ranch; up to personal encounters and phone discussions with the singer around Las Vegas and Los Angeles from 2007-2009. Position few enjoyed as she got in close contact with the singer and saw many times how he interacted with others. Always reporting the same facts. That he was kind, conscientious with others, and did not tolerate nastiness. Especially on fans as Talitha once reported to him how a bodyguard terrified fans with police threats and MJ fired the man fast.

Another detail I love from Talitha’s book is how she was in the audience of the 2005 trial thanks to her press passes; seeing what occurred on the stands and among the reporters. Indeed, she confirmed how the Arvizos were deceptive, liars, and conmen; but also how racist District Attorney Tom Sneddon was toward Michael Jackson and Chris Tucker. Confirming how Sneddon used a racist slur that shocked everyone in the room but was barely reported in the press. Of the medias, Talitha denounced how almost all the reporters in the room knew and admitted that the accusers were liars and that Michael was innocent, yet they distorted what was reported in court, barely mentioning what was revealed about the Arvizos, and branded MJ as a guilty man. Which shows how these people knew the truth, yet attacked the man because they went where the money flowed and out of a witch hunt agenda some media figures have over the singer.

Another detail I loved was Talitha’s recount of her dialogues with Michael Jackson, where you could see how genuine he was with his fans. But also ready to interact with them and share a good laugh. Even praising Talitha and her friend when they did a poster mocking Pulp frontman Jarvis Cocker who disrupted Michael Jackson’s Earth Song performance at the Brit Music Awards 1996. Poster which they showed at one of MJ’s concert, which caught the singer’s attention and made him laugh. Which shows to us his disgust for that obnoxious show-off who tried to transpose on MJ his own narcissism. Another wonderful moment to mention is all the chats Talitha had with Michael’s kids; where she confirms, like so many people who interacted with MJ, how polite, kind, intelligent, and humble they are and how Michael raised them well, which Martin Bashir’s slander doc had tried to brand up against the singer.

Furthermore, she also mentions her position in the fandom. How several fans adored and envied her, while others despised her and were hostile, acting like they were the best ambassador for MJ while demonising, attacking, and mistreating other fans whom they felt weren’t worthy of being in the fandom. Something that I noticed also in the Harry Potter fandom, which I fled fast in 2005; and which I denounce and condemn further recently due to the various witch hunts I saw in the fandom toward J K Rowling and Johnny Depp. Attacks coming from HP influencers and fan sites who make money out of JKR's and JD's work and who ignore the voices of many fans and non-fans who stand with Jo and Johnny. Of course, I know opinions are high on these two. But when you do your research on what these two state and reveal, then you quickly realize how the attacks on them are unfounded and how many in the public and in the media (ex: South Park) stand with them both.

As for the hostile fans toward Talitha, the way a certain Gollum treated her and Michael Jackson in 2009 is horrible and it makes me wonder how that Judas sleeps at night, knowing that had it not been for that Gollum intervention, the other fans could have told their warnings to MJ sooner and maybe MJ would have stopped the This Is It project and would not have passed away at the hands of Conrad Murray.

About the book itself, the prose is well written. Poetic, yet concise. Captivating and detailed, we enter the action of the events Talitha experienced. And it is wonderful that she got to present photos of herself and MJ; from her personal archives and from paparazzi. That way it confirms the veracity of her story and how there are countless proofs of her interactions with Michael.

As for the cover, I adore the motif and design used as an ancient leather texture, though of course it is printed on glossed paper. Which is too bad for I do think, considering the excellent quality of this book, that it deserves a leather cover.

In conclusion, whether or not you are a fan of Michael Jackson, it is important to read this book. For it is through books like these that one can tell the truth about who is Michael Jackson. Since, as stated by Talitha and others like Céline Dion who met and defended Michael, it is only by your personal encounters with someone that you can tell who someone is. Not through dodgy tabloid magazines filled with evil agendas that lie about others to make money out of impressionable people who take everything at face value and don’t question what they read or watch on TV/YouTube.

[Jen Flint]

I'm confused. I started reading this book more for the high rating than anything else. I've always been a Michael Jackson, but these kind of books were never my thing. But that rating? All those reviews? It HAD to be awesome, right? Um, wrong.

The writing is fine, I'll give it that. The rest is just a long series of documented stalking. This is beyond creepy.

In the end, she blames so many people for how they treated Michael and never once takes responsibility for her own errors of forcing herself into his life. I don't care if he was polite and kind about it. It's just wrong. If the man wanted her to be at his Dr. appointments and parked outside his driveway every night he would have invited her into his life in that way. This girl just forced her way into his life for her own obsession and then wrote a book about her every encounter.

Just, ick.

[Shannon 🖤]

5/5 stars ⭐️
I absolutely loved every second of this. A touching & heartwarming look into the life of one fan who got the amazing chance to get close to Michael. I definitely recommend picking this one up! ❤️

[Bao]

Mixed feelings. Sweet book, disturbing stalking, lovely stories, sad last chapter. Quite an emotional roller coaster.

[lena]

i love feeding into my delusions

[Maria]

Nothing in the universe compared to the joy of being in Michael's presence, of being held by him, of being loved by him, but throughout this darker phase, (meaning the 2005 trial) the need to convey my love for him, to hold him rather than be held by him, to give rather than receive, was greater than it had ever been...

This book makes you feel like you’re there, living the fairy tale — hugging Michael, giving him notes, sharing these little moments with him. And it’s complicated, because as a fan, it’s hard not to wish you were in her place, experiencing the same things she did.

There are so many encounters and events throughout the book that I actually felt the need to write some of them down on separate sheets of paper, just so I wouldn’t lose them. From the 1992 Dangerous concert in Dublin she attended, all the way to the last encounter between the two of them on that fateful night of June 24, 2009, it feels like you’re slowly walking through the timeline of their story alongside her.

It’s so wholeheartedly written, and it gives you so many little insights that you end up learning things about Michael that you might never have known otherwise — about his life, his children, the way he spent his free time, the little things he enjoyed, and the person behind the superstar.

He was exactly her fairy tale. And I think that’s what makes this book so special to me. It’s not just about meeting Michael Jackson. It’s about what it felt like to know him, even in these brief, precious moments, and to see the human being behind the icon.

There’s something incredibly bittersweet about reading it, knowing where the story eventually leads. You get to experience all these beautiful moments with her, while carrying the knowledge that there will be a last meeting, a last note, a last moment. And somehow, that makes every little memory feel even more precious.

This felt less like reading someone else’s memories and more like being allowed into a little piece of her fairy tale. Because he was exactly her fairy tale — and, for a little while, this book let me live in it too.

[Michael Jackson Book Club]

A Real-Life Fairy Tale: Michael Jackson and Me (hereafter called just Michael Jackson and Me and with page numbers in brackets) is a delightful first-person account of the ultimate Michael Jackson fan experience. Written by Talitha Linehan, it provides a much-needed antidote to the depressing drama of HBO and Channel 4’s Leaving Neverland, which is very much still in the public consciousness. Linehan covers the book with a photograph of her and Jackson (circa. 2009) and embosses the cover so that it reads like a book of Grimm fairy tales.

Linehan’s book spans a period of time where Jackson was arguably more known for his notoriety than his music and she does not shy away from this. In addition to many other sources of contention, she covers 2003’s Living with Michael Jackson, ‘Bashir’s sinister overtone’ (43)the baby-dangling incident (59); and the 2005 trial (62). None of the bad press seems to phase Linehan, who starts by establishing a ‘game of cat and mouse’ (38) which resulted in Jackson ‘egging us on and rewarding us whenever we navigated around all the obstacles to place ourselves within his reach’ (38).

Linehan’s detailed accounts include waking up after the Madison Square Garden’s performances on the 7th and 10th of September 2001, and the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. It is strangely refreshing to read something as effusively saccharine as Linehan’s account. She writes in ‘Chapter Four: Inside Neverland’: ‘Neverland was at the heart of Michael’s world, but Michael was the heart of the heart, and not even an invitation to his kingdom could draw us away from him’ (42).

Linehan’s story has its irresponsible elements, which she acknowledges and discusses clearly, for example taking a lift by a guy named Mick for most of the HIStory tour dates and ignoring a flight home to Germany because Jackson had invited her to Neverland. ‘My mind reeled as I tried to reconcile the dualities, both in him and in me’ (57). Numerous times during the book Linehan debates upon the existential, in that which connects her existence to Jackson’s: ‘if you happened to be at the gates of Neverland on the afternoon of 6 September 2003, then you got to spend a day with Michael Jackson’ (61).

Michael Jackson and Me offers a very solid account of the years 1997 to 2009. Notable is Linehan’s account of the Arvizo clan, ‘we could all attest that Gavin and his siblings had clearly had the run of the place [Neverland]’ (63). There are also little-known facts in the book, like Jackson’s receptance of the Humanitarian Award by the African Ambassadors’ Spouses Association in 2004 (66).

Although Linehan attended the courthouse in Santa Maria during Jackson’s trial there is no inherited cynicism in her book; I felt myself pulled into her world, one where Michael Jackson was the sun she orbited. One question that bodes itself is how Linehan afforded her very literal following of Jackson. The reader is encouraged to live vicariously through Linehan’s experiences, any momentary doubts or disbelief relieved by a well-placed and emotive photograph.

Linehan discusses the fan politics that fill the community. As a fan myself, I must admit that Linehan’s frank, heartfelt and open tone throughout the book was a joy for me to read. After all that bad press it was refreshing to read something that is filled with adoration.

Reviewed by Elizabeth Amisu, MA, PGCE, editor of The Journal of Michael Jackson Academic Studies and author of The Dangerous Philosophies of Michael Jackson: His Music, His Persona, and His Artistic Afterlife

Michael Jackson Book Club Member

[PM]

This was a very valuable read as it offers a look at Michael Jackson from a fan’s perspective. After 2009, a lot of people have lied and created false assertions about being close with MJ, but this author actually was, as evidenced by her photos, letters, and the fact that a lot of what’s included in the book lines up perfectly with other trusted sources (such as “Remember The Time” by Bill Whitfield, The “Square One” documentary, and countless interviews). It’s very eye-opening and interesting to be able to read about Michael from the perspective of someone who was able to meet him and talk to him on several occasions, a fan Michael deeply loved. Arguably best part about this book is that it was created using a lot of detailed journal entries, so specific dialogue and other key elements are preserved. The fact that the author kept track of specific details as they happened gives a whole new level of truth to this memoir. This book, put simply, is a fan’s chronicle of her experiences with Michael over a several-years period, and it has a lot to unpack.

First off, I must say that along with many other readers, I was initially slightly off-put by the author’s stalker-like tactics, despite her good intentions. She describes herself as a “follower”; “followers” were those who followed Michael Jackson anywhere and everywhere, going so far as to map out where he was going so they could wait there several hours in advance. They even camped outside his house on several occasions and snuck inside venues where they knew Michael would be present. Though this all seems peculiar and a bit concerning from an outward perspective, it’s important to consider the complete context of the situation. Yes, it’s true that Michael Jackson had fans who followed him anywhere and everywhere, but it’s also true that he was not bothered by them, and even enjoyed their presence. This is made clear in “Remember The Time,” the book I mentioned earlier, and also in “The Michael Jackson Tapes: A Tragic Icon Reveals His Soul In Intimate Conversation” by Shmuley Boteach. Michael’s relationship with his fans was very unique as he loved them as much as they loved him, and referred to them as “family.” This shows his love for people in general, but also the extent of his isolation. Because he was so famous, it was virtually impossible to have normal relationships with others. He has expressed this before, in “The Footage You Were Never Meant To See” for example, and even in his autobiography “Moonwalk.” I think in this way the fans and “followers” were a way for him to connect with people. He obviously enjoyed their presence as he invited them into his house on several occasions, had many conversations with them, told them he loved them, and clearly had a big appreciation for the author Talitha, seeking her out, writing her letters and embracing her more than a few times. I just wanted to point this out because so many people seem to have disregarded the entire memoir because of the authors “stalking.” Remember, she says in the book that she would never have followed Michael if he didn’t encourage it. Also, she never asked anything of him, not even pictures or autographs, and simply wanted to speak to him and express her appreciation. Near the end of their relationship, I would even go so far as to say they were friends, because she visited him and his children at least a dozen times, talked to him on the phone, and they both sent each other things, such as letters.

This book is really valuable because it shows the dedication of his fans and also allows for people who were not alive during the 1990s and the majority of the early-2000s to see what it was like when Michael Jackson was alive and performing. The story of a young woman who slowly gets more and more interactions with Michael Jackson is interesting in itself, but arguably the most intriguing aspect of the memoir is Michael himself. His personality, his interactions with fans, his dialogues, what it was like to be around him. It’s all in this book. It’s priceless information and a joy to read, making the inevitable ending all the more heartbreaking and sad. Throughout my time reading, I smiled at the many interactions and heartfelt moments the author was able to capture within this memoir. It was sad to see how truly isolated Michael Jackson was and also how trusting people so easily resulted in many sad events in his life, but it was also interesting to see the authors experience of watching the trial (she was able to because she was a journalist and had a pass) and also what Michael was like behind closed doors. The linear approach to the story is very effective, creating a read that is compelling and engaging. Seeing Michael Jackson as a human was very fascinating. Just the way he interacted with people outside of the press and performing. Very interesting.

(One thing she does not address when talking about the “This Is It” tours is the fact that Michael was in extreme debt during this time. She doesn’t seem to know that this debt was one of the main driving forces behind why they were pushing for Michael to do 50 shows, a crushing expectation that was completely unfair and definitely contributed to his early death.)

Although the author frequently heaps praise and compliments on Michael Jackson and constantly expresses how thankful she is to have been able to share his presence, I couldn’t even be annoyed by how much she repeated these sentiments because what she says is completely true. Her experience truly was one in a million. I’m just thankful she wrote this book, allowing for others to get a glimpse into what it was like being a part of Michael’s world.

[Jennifer]

I could not stop reading till the end

This is a great book to read as it shows how one person can show how she was treated and loved by michael Jackson through the years. good and bad time that they went through still sharing the love from her and michael and the children.

[Ariana]

Loved this <3 It's always nice reading people's experiences

[Myranda]

I’ve learned I’m not living delusionally enough. This girl set out to meet Michael Jackson and boy did she. Good for her, she earned it.

A true testament to the love MJs fans have for him.

[Danica -]

I loved this book! She tells such a compelling story and out off all the “fan books” written about Michael this one definitely takes the cake but it’s always funny how on all of the stories I’ve read everyone in June 24 2009 had the same feeling that they needed to “save” or “check on” Michael like let’s be so for real you had TWO WHOLE MONTHS or even MORE THAN THAT to check on him and then out of the blue everyone teams up to save him and oh no he’s dead now because all of the people who “cared” about him always end up being a day late… in this book she says that her and a group of fans have a three step plan on how to save Michael which is first give him letters, then read a big letter saying they won’t support this is it if he doesn’t really care about it and that they care about him more than him doing a show for the fans and lastly is to boycott This is It or accept whatever he has to say.. I loved this book but its just so funny how this always happens in “Michael Jackson” remembrance books like this and as a Michael Jackson fan it’s so corny 😭🙏🏼 but it’s a good read if you want to know more about how Michael interacted with fans .

[— fern]

Parasocial final boss HOWEVER! It’s okay because Michael was alright with it. And Talitha’s intentions were pure. I love the way Michael reacted to her every single time he saw her. The way he’d call her sweet and all the lovely things he said to and about her. I’m just glad that he felt such gentle, kind love from someone in his lifestyle. They were definitely twin spirits. Hearing her stories spanning over 13 years gave us a glimpse into the man Michael was, as we always knew he was. I felt like I was right there with her. Now, was it healthy for her to center her entire world around him? No. But I understand her, nonetheless. My favorite part of the book is when she says he’s magical and he strokes her cheek. So so sweet.

A very interesting read, very well written (On Audible). The last chapter dug up feelings of confusing and overwhelming grief all over again. She didn’t just lose her hero, she also lost her friend. He was a special person.

[Melissa Coffman]

Never heard of a more obsessed or devoted fan in my life, this girl set out to meet Michael Jackson and become a part of his life and boy did she! It’s kinda crazy how she followed him all over the world but in the end Michael loved it and respected it so much, he knew how much his fans loved him because she told him and showed him through all the rough phases of his life. The last chapter was so sad, I know she was so devastated and I wish she had wrote more about his memorial service and how she dealt with the grief afterwards. But in the end this book was so interesting and lovely. This was my first audiobook read virtually and it took a little getting used to but was okay in the end.

[Crystal]

This book is a gift for any MJ fan, a vicarious dream world. It is beautiful, passionate, uplifting, inspirational, and heartbreaking all in one. Linehan is a very gifted embroiderer of words, providing the breathtaking details that build and build throughout each chapter. Her story is unbelievably determined and wholehearted. I would highly recommend following up with this book by watching her various interviews online. Her captivating aura seemlessly transfers from paper to three-dimensional food for the heart. I am pretty sure I will be giving this a second read.

[Lilia Yashmakova]

I enjoyed the book, and it was emotional, especially at the end. What I couldn't relate to was the stalking part and life before the gates. I understand Michael cares about his fans, but this kind of behavior is abusive, and I didn’t like it. Although I was curious to read the story, I am giving it 3 out of 5 stars.

[Crystal Bundy]

Talitha, thank you for this beautiful book. In reading it, I felt like I was listening to your stories as a close friend. And also like I was close to Michael as well. I laughed, I got giddy, I shed tears. What a beautiful memoir and beautiful memories you have.

[dee]

world's most successful sasaeng

[Bhavika Nankani]

Extremely well written, heartfelt and an honest account. Grateful that this book exists.

[Adi]

I kept picturing Kathy Bates from Misery while I was reading Talitha’s memoir. It provides an interesting insight how super fans operate and there are some lovely stories in here.
If you’ve read Michael Jackson’s autobiography, Moonwalk, then you’d know how stressful he found the fans it when fans would stalk him.
If you are looking for insight on MJ, the book written by his bodyguards is much better. I personally found this book overly sentimental but still an ok read.