In 2009, Michael Jackson passed away at the age of 50 in his Los Angeles home, the victim of an overdose involving the surgical anesthetic Propofol. An autopsy revealed several scars on his body, including two surgical scars on either side of his nose. His former bodyguard and close confidant, Matt Fiddes, shared insights on the deeply personal reasons behind Jackson’s numerous rhinoplasties. Fiddes recounted how Jackson was often teased by family members about the size of his nose, facing hurtful comments that contributed to his longstanding insecurities. On an episode of The Steven Sulley Study podcast, he noted that this ridicule was not only damaging but persistent, affecting Jackson’s self-image throughout his life.
Fiddes highlighted that the late pop star’s struggles were exacerbated by his father, Joe Jackson, who was particularly harsh in his criticisms. According to Fiddes, Joe would often dismissively state that Michael’s nose was inherited from his mother, further deepening the artist’s feelings of inadequacy. The tension around Jackson’s appearance culminated when he injured his nose during a dance rehearsal, prompting him to see this as an opportunity for cosmetic surgery. Fiddes explained, “Michael was an exceptional dancer, practicing for hours each day. After breaking his nose, he felt it was the perfect moment to correct what he perceived as a flaw.”