Michael Jackson’s legacy remains clouded by numerous controversies, particularly highlighted by recent revelations from Dr. Conrad Murray, the singer’s former physician. Murray, who was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in connection with Jackson’s death, has made startling claims in his book, This Is It. He alleges that Jackson had a peculiar fascination with Emma Watson when she was merely 11 years old, calling her “his second choice for a bride.” This assertion adds yet another layer to the complex narrative surrounding the King of Pop.
According to Murray, Jackson became enamored with Watson after her appearance in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone in 2001. He recalls Jackson expressing deep affection for the young actress, stating, “Michael told me he was almost as consumed with British actress Emma Watson. He had ‘fallen in love with her’ when she was in her first Harry Potter film… when she was just 11.” Reports even suggest that Jackson maintained a cardboard cutout of Watson in his lavish Los Angeles home, a property he rented for £60,000 per month.
Murray further claimed that Jackson’s feelings extended beyond Watson to his goddaughter, Harriet Lester. He wrote that Jackson saw Harriet, the daughter of his friend Mark Lester, as a potential partner, noting, “Emma was his second choice for a bride if things did not work out with Harriet.” Murray asserted that Jackson’s fixation on Harriet began when she was just five years old, intensifying as she matured, leading Jackson to consider discussing marriage plans with her father during his This Is It tour in London.
Discussing the challenges he faced while addressing sensitive topics with Jackson, Murray reflected, “I never challenged Michael. That is because I instinctively knew that when it came to very sensitive subjects, Michael could as quickly shut down as he had been forthright.” He emphasized that Jackson’s feelings toward these young girls transcended innocent infatuation, implying a deeper, more troubling sentiment.
The response to Murray’s claims has been mixed, with many fans grappling with the implications of such allegations against an iconic figure. Murray has framed his revelations as fulfilling Jackson’s wish to share his story, stating, “This is the story of who Michael Jackson was.” He has urged readers to draw their conclusions regarding Jackson’s character and the nature of his relationships, asserting that Jackson regarded him as family while maintaining his own innocence concerning the charges that led to his imprisonment.