Michael Jackson may forever be remembered as the legendary “King of Pop” — but according to his longtime friend Lionel Richie, the superstar also carried around a very unexpected reputation: being a little smelly.
In his brand-new memoir Truly, released Tuesday, Richie opens up about some of his most memorable behind-the-scenes moments with his famous peers, including a candid (and surprising) memory about the late Jackson.
Quincy Jones’ Nickname for Michael
Richie says it was none other than Quincy Jones, the legendary producer behind Thriller, who first coined the unusual nickname. Instead of “MJ” or “King,” Quincy affectionately referred to the pop icon as “Smelly.”
But here’s the kicker — Jackson didn’t take offense. Richie says MJ often laughed it off, realizing he had gotten so wrapped up in his hectic lifestyle that he sometimes went days without changing his clothes.
Why Michael Was Always in the Same Clothes
Richie explains that Jackson’s hygiene wasn’t about neglect but about circumstance. At the height of his fame, the Billie Jean singer couldn’t simply drop off clothes at a dry cleaner — employees would often steal them as souvenirs.
Shopping for new clothes wasn’t an option either. According to Richie, Jackson couldn’t casually stroll into a store without being mobbed by fans. Instead, he developed a habit of wearing the same pants and T-shirts until they were “unwearable.”
Lionel’s Unforgettable Encounter
Richie recalls one specific moment when he had to step in. He writes that Jackson once visited him looking particularly disheveled, with his jeans either falling off or too short and smelling noticeably unkempt.
“I snuck him home so he could shower for the first time in days,” Richie admits, adding that he even loaned MJ a fresh pair of jeans and underwear.
It was just another reminder that, despite his superstar status, Michael still had very human quirks.
Fame, Quirks, and Timeless Hits
Richie emphasizes that none of Jackson’s habits ever affected his music. The Thriller hitmaker continued churning out global chart-toppers, redefining pop culture, and leaving an unshakable legacy.
“Everyone has their quirks,” Richie writes in Truly. “Michael’s just happened to be his laundry.”
A Friendship Beyond the Stage
Richie and Jackson’s friendship ran deep, extending beyond music. The two famously worked together on the charity anthem “We Are the World” in 1985, which raised millions for famine relief in Africa.
Now, decades later, Richie’s memoir peels back another layer of Jackson’s life — reminding fans that behind the sequined gloves and moonwalk was a young man navigating fame in his own unusual ways.
