In 1987, Michael Jackson and Tatiana Thumbtzen met while filming the iconic music video “The Way You Make Me Feel.” Tatiana, one of the most prominent models of the time, was chosen for her physical appearance: her slim figure and curly hair made her perfect for the video. Before meeting Michael, Tatiana was already a fan of his, something that became clear when she found herself in front of him on the set of the recording.

There was much speculation about the relationship between the two, as the chemistry between them seemed obvious, but it was in an interview that Tatiana revealed more details about a key moment in the video. The director of the video had asked Tatiana not to kiss Michael, as he was too shy to do so. Instead of a kiss, the video ended with a delicate embrace, but Tatiana said that during this moment, Michael also seemed to be open to kissing her. She recalled that his breath had a soft minty scent and that his eyes conveyed a deep connection.

Despite this closeness, the relationship between Tatiana and Michael never progressed. At one of their performances on the “Bad” tour, while Tatiana was still part of the dance team, she felt it was her time to perform. During a live performance, she approached Michael on stage and, after a brief moment of uncertainty, kissed him in front of thousands of fans. Michael, instead of rejecting her, kissed her back. Tatiana recalled how adrenaline coursed through her body at the feeling of his hands on her, but she soon realized that the consequences of her act would be serious.

After the kiss, the situation became tense. Michael’s team, including his right-hand man Mo Brando, harshly reprimanded Tatiana in public. Later, Tatiana was replaced by another dancer on the “Bad” tour and she completely distanced herself from Michael. Sadness and depression took hold of her. In her memoirs, Tatiana confessed that, not being able to see Michael again, she thought about taking her own life. The constant media pressure, questions about her replacement, and the emotional wound this caused her were too much to bear.

Tatiana also claimed that Michael’s mother Katherine was supportive and told her that her son had feelings for her. However, she believed that Michael’s management team was blocking that relationship, fearing that Tatiana might have more influence over him than they did. In her opinion, Michael was surrounded by people who, instead of supporting him, manipulated him for personal interests.

This episode in Michael Jackson’s life is one of the many complex moments in his career. Tatiana, despite everything, still feels that circumstances did not allow her to be close to him, but she also made it clear that she never stopped admiring him. In retrospect, the kiss that happened on stage never turned into a spark of love, but it did leave a mark on Tatiana’s life and on the history of Michael Jackson.

The mystery of what really happened between them remains without a definitive answer, but this story of unrequited love, manipulation and personal tragedy reflects the difficult realities behind fame and the complex paths of the heart.