Michael Jackson’s tragic relationship with his father, Joseph Jackson, was one marked by emotional, physical, and psychological abuse that left a deep impact on the King of Pop’s life. Despite becoming one of the most successful and beloved artists in history, Michael’s upbringing was far from the dream many may have assumed. The strain between father and son was a crucial aspect of Michael’s childhood and, in many ways, shaped the course of his entire career.

Born into a family of ten children, Michael’s early years were marked by a strict and sometimes harsh upbringing. Joseph Jackson, a blues musician who never achieved the fame he hoped for, was determined to make his children famous, particularly through the Jackson 5. He pushed them relentlessly, especially Michael, who became part of the family’s band at a young age. But while the family’s rise to fame would appear to be a success story, it came at a cost.

Joseph Jackson was known for his harsh methods of parenting, and the rumors of abuse within the Jackson household only surfaced years later when the children were adults. The most chilling accounts of Joseph’s parenting came from Michael’s own brother, Jermaine, who later revealed in his memoir the cruel treatment their father had subjected them to. Joseph had wanted his children to succeed and was willing to push them to extremes to make it happen. His aggressive approach included strict rehearsals, often lasting for hours, and forbidding his children from socializing with others, effectively isolating them from normal childhood experiences. For Michael, this meant no chance to make friends or enjoy a typical childhood, as his every waking moment was devoted to practice.

This oppressive environment went beyond strict discipline. Joseph reportedly resorted to physical violence if his children made mistakes. Michael, for instance, was beaten with a tree branch if he failed to perform correctly during rehearsals. Reports from The Guardian revealed that this abuse didn’t stop at the end of the day; Joseph allegedly used other forms of punishment, including burns with a tea kettle and beatings with a belt buckle. Michael and his siblings endured this treatment under the guise of discipline, as Joseph’s obsession with their success overrode any parental affection or tenderness. There were no words of affection from him, no hugs, and no acknowledgment of his children’s emotional needs.

Perhaps the most enduring emotional scar that Joseph left on Michael was related to his appearance, specifically his nose. From an early age, Michael developed insecurities about his looks, particularly his nose. Joseph, rather than offering comfort, contributed to Michael’s growing self-consciousness by making cruel remarks about his appearance. He would call Michael “big nose,” a nickname that worsened Michael’s insecurity. This treatment likely played a role in Michael’s decision to undergo multiple plastic surgeries over the years, despite his claims that he only had two rhinoplasties. Medical experts have suggested that Michael may have undergone as many as 20 procedures on his nose throughout his life, highlighting the depth of the emotional scars that his father’s criticism left behind.

Despite all this, Michael’s siblings, including Jermaine, justified some of their father’s actions, claiming that Joseph’s aggressive style was rooted in his desire for success and his unfulfilled dreams. Jermaine’s memoir reveals that while he may have been harsh, Joseph’s intention was always to push them toward greatness, even if it meant making them suffer in the process. However, the reality of such an upbringing was that Michael never had the opportunity to feel the warmth and love that many children receive from their parents. The lack of affection, combined with the physical and emotional abuse, contributed to Michael’s complex relationship with his father throughout his life.

In the end, Joseph’s role as a father was one of love tinged with control and manipulation. While his drive for success undoubtedly contributed to his children’s extraordinary rise to fame, it also left them with deep emotional scars. Michael’s struggle with his identity, his appearance, and his self-worth can all be traced back to the difficult relationship he had with his father. And as Michael later became one of the most iconic and influential figures in music history, the trauma from his childhood would haunt him in ways that were only fully understood years later.

Michael Jackson’s story is one of tremendous talent, fame, and creativity, but also one of pain, loss, and unresolved emotional trauma. His complicated relationship with his father, Joseph, was a central part of that struggle, and it was only much later that the public began to understand the true cost of Michael’s rise to stardom. Joseph’s tough love and aggressive parenting left a lasting legacy on Michael, and it is clear that the King of Pop’s journey to success came at a steep personal cost.