Michael Jackson’s estate has put their foot down on Michael’s merchandise over and over. The estate has called out Gotta Have Rock and Roll, an auctioneer, for listing a “Thriller” jacket—the red and black biker jacket the renowned performer famously wore in the 1983 music video.
In a letter to Gotta Have Rock and Roll, the auction house, the estate’s attorney, Jonathan Steinsapir, declares in no uncertain terms that the jacket up for sale wasn’t on Michael Jackson’s back at any point during production of the “Thriller” short film. Steinsapir added that only two genuine “Thriller” jackets were worn in the film.
Misinformation About the Jacket
According to reports, one of the “Thriller” jackets was auctioned for nearly $2M over a decade ago. That price is 20 times more than the minimum bid GHRR seeks for their jacket.
The Jackson Estate expressed significant concerns about GHRR listing the jacket at $100k. The estate says it could potentially mislead the public into believing that the authentic “Thriller” jacket has depreciated.
Additionally, Steinsapir asked GHRR to explicitly state that no evidence supports Michael Jackson ever wearing this specific jacket for promotional purposes. The Jackson Estate expressed concerns that GHHR’s listing could negatively impact MJ’s brand and the value of other personal items.
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The Jacket Description
It appears that the auction house has complied with these requests. Following Steinsapir’s letter, the auction has modified its title to incorporate the term “style.” The title now reads “Michael Jackson 1983 Owned & Worn Thriller Style Jacket.” The updated description also specifies that “The jacket is similar to the jacket worn in the ‘Thriller’ video.”
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The estate acknowledges that GHRR clarified in the auction description that the jacket “was not worn during the “Thriller” music video.” However, it’s demanding the auction house make this fact more visible in the title of the auction.
Also, it wants GHHR to clarify that they have no proof the late singer ever wore this particular jacket for promotional purposes. And it looks as though GHRR has fallen in line. The description now states, “The jacket is similar to the jacket worn in the ‘Thriller’ video, but for the average MJ super fan, it’s still a sight that almost stops your heart.”
Another Item From the Collection
Another item from Jackson’s collection that has recently made headlines is the black-and-white leather jacket. The “Beat It” hitmaker donned it during the filming of his “Pepsi Generation” commercial in 1984.
Even though the commercial marked Jackson’s debut in the advertising world, the jacket’s existence remained unknown until Wendell Thompson came forward with it. According to The Blast, Thompson claimed that his father, Jackson’s cosmetologist, received the jacket from Jackson himself in 1983, during an encounter with him in Orlando, just before the ad aired.
Thompson disclosed that he was present at the grand opening of Jackson’s suite at Disney World’s Hotel Royal Plaza. He further declared that he had kept the jacket safe for years and was prepared to part with it, hoping to secure a substantial sum in a 2023 auction.
He hoped to use the proceeds from the auction to provide for his children and family in his will. The auction, hosted by London auction house Propstore, was scheduled to commence on Friday, November 10, 2023.
Lawsuit Filed to Reclaim Jackson’s Belongings
Just before the sale of the prestigious fashion wear, The Blast disclosed that the lawsuit initiated by Michael Jackson’s Estate to reclaim the 13-time Grammy winner’s belongings from Jeffré Phillips had been resolved through a settlement.
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Considering the challenges Jackson’s Estate faced in retrieving the belongings from Philips, it appeared they reached a favorable resolution. However, uncertainty remains regarding whether Phillips returned the items, as requested by Jackson’s Estate, to the judge or compensated the estate for their aggregate value, which amounted to $1 million.
Recall that Phillips’ theft of property gained significant attention in 2022 when Jackson’s Estate disclosed that a man engaged to one of Jackson’s siblings had absconded with his belongings.
What Did Phillips Remove From Jackson’s Home?
According to the lawsuit, Phillips exploited his status as a fiancé over nine days while residing in Jackson’s Carolwood House. The accused was allegedly present when the philanthropist passed away.
Also, he purportedly took advantage of the ensuing chaos to abscond with personal and private belongings from the residence. It was claimed that Philips took Jackson’s iPhone along with those belonging to his young children.
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