Thirty years after their unveiling, the massive statues of Michael Jackson that promoted his album "HIStory" have taken on unexpected fates. While some stand silently in diverse corners of the world, others have been removed or transformed due to changing public perceptions and controversies surrounding the King of Pop.
Where Have All the Michael Jackson Statues Gone?
Where Have All the Michael Jackson Statues Gone?
Exploring the fates of Michael Jackson's iconic statues created for the promotion of his 1995 album "HIStory," including their current locations and surprising transformations.
In June 1995, a 32ft (10m) statue of Michael Jackson floated down the River Thames in London, becoming an iconic image as part of a promotional campaign for his album "HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I." The towering figure was just one of ten statues created worldwide to celebrate the King of Pop's legacy, assembled at Elstree Studios and painted to resemble stone. As Jackson's fame soared with hits like "Earth Song," so did the visibility of these statues, which also accompanied him on his global tours.
Fast forward thirty years, the landscape of pop culture has evolved alongside Jackson's complex legacy, and the fates of these statues have varied dramatically. One statue famously stood for years outside a McDonald's in the Netherlands, drawing crowds of fans until it was removed following the 2019 documentary "Leaving Neverland," which reignited allegations against the late star. The restaurant's decision to take down the statue amid a shift in public sentiment led to it being stored in a secret location, with hopes of finding a new home dwindling along with interest in the piece.
Meanwhile, in Austria, another statue found its home in the now-defunct Baby’O nightclub. Owner Franz Josef Zika acquired the statue at a charity auction in 1998 and used it as a promotional feature for his club. With the nightclub's recent closure and impending development in the area, Zika hopes to sell the statue but faces challenges securing a buyer.
In Switzerland, a statue once displayed at the Luna Park fairground has gone into hibernation for undisclosed reasons. The organizers emphasize that it remains off-limits for sale despite its absence from public view. In South Africa, a repainted statue can be seen at the abandoned Santarama Miniland in Johannesburg, serving as a peculiar relic of Jackson's past presence in the country.
Other statues have similarly taken on a life of their own; one in Italy’s Europark Milano was restored in 2019 but has since been put up for sale again. The changing landscape of Jackson's legacy continues to cast a shadow over these monumental figures, intricately tied to a superstar whose life and career are under constant scrutiny.
Overall, as time passes and public perception shifts, the stories of these fibreglass monoliths offer a window into the legacy of Michael Jackson. From cherished tributes to forgotten relics, they encapsulate a profound reflection on fame, legacy, and the complexities that come with both.
