Legendary former world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson has always been candid about the highs and lows of his life. But what most people don’t know is the deep bond he shared with Michael Jackson, a friendship that spanned years and transcended the world of entertainment. In a candid interview, Tyson reveals how Jackson’s skin color change affected their lives and what Tyson believes is the real reason behind it.

“People think they know the story behind Michael’s skin,” Tyson begins, his voice filled with emotion. “But the truth is more complicated. It wasn’t just vanity or some weird obsession. Michael was dealing with something serious that a lot of people didn’t understand.”

Tyson continues to speak candidly about his time with Michael Jackson, both in public and behind closed doors. According to Tyson, Jackson’s transformation wasn’t as simple as the public thought. There was a medical condition at play that many were unaware of.

“He had a skin condition called vitiligo. It started slowly, and at first only a few people noticed it. But over time, it got worse,” Tyson says, reflecting on Jackson’s battle with the autoimmune disease. “The pigment in his skin started to fade, and he couldn’t control it. That’s why he decided to go into treatment.”

Vitiligo, a condition that causes loss of skin pigmentation, affects millions worldwide. For Jackson, the condition has had a profound impact on his personal life. But what Tyson reveals next takes the conversation in a direction few would have expected.

“Michael didn’t change his skin just to look different,” Tyson explains. “It was about trying to regain control of something he couldn’t change. He felt like his identity was slipping away. I remember him saying to me, ‘I just want to be myself, Mike.’ That’s why he went through treatments, even controversial ones that people still talk about today.”

Not only does this revelation shed light on Jackson’s emotional struggles, it also explains why he sought various treatments and surgeries over the years. While Jackson’s decision to lighten his skin has been widely criticized and misinterpreted, Tyson’s words offer a glimpse into the real struggles behind the scenes.

“It wasn’t about trying to look like someone else,” he says, shaking his head. “It was about trying to feel normal again. Michael’s heart was always pure. The public didn’t understand that, they didn’t know how much pain he was in.”

Tyson’s comments give us a rare and intimate look into Michael Jackson’s life, painting a picture of a man who struggled with a disease most people didn’t know about. To Tyson, Jackson was more than just a celebrity icon; he was a friend who fought intense personal battles.

“Michael was always there for me, and I want to be there for him now, even after he’s gone,” Tyson says. “That’s why I’m telling this story. I hope it helps people understand who Michael really was, beyond the headlines and the rumors. He was just a human being, trying to live his life, just like the rest of us.”

Revealing Jackson’s struggle with vitiligo and his efforts to control it not only changes the narrative around his skin color transformation, but also invites a deeper conversation about how public figures are perceived. For decades, Jackson has been both revered and ridiculed for his appearance, but Tyson’s words encourage us to rethink our judgments and look at the person behind the fame.

It’s been 15 years since Michael Jackson’s passing, and the world is still trying to unravel the mysteries of his life. Tyson’s confession adds a new layer to our understanding of Jackson’s suffering, offering an emotional and profound perspective on the King of Pop’s journey. This stunning interview not only reveals the truth behind Jackson’s transformation, but also underscores the complexity of his life—a life filled with pain, creativity, and ultimately, humanity.