Michael Jackson and Diana Ross shared a bond that captivated fans around the world, but beneath the dazzling smiles and electrifying stage performances, there was a deeper, more complex story that Michael Jackson never publicly revealed.
For years, their relationship was the subject of endless speculation, with many wondering if their connection was simply a deep friendship or something more. But the truth is far more profound and heartbreaking.
It all began in the late 1960s when a young Michael Jackson, just a child, met Diana Ross for the first time. As the lead singer of The Supremes, Ross was already a superstar, and for Michael, she was a vision of grace, beauty, and talent. Diana Ross quickly became a mentor and maternal figure to Michael, guiding him and his brothers as they launched their career with the Jackson 5.
But what the public did not know was that Michael’s admiration for Ross ran far deeper than mere mentorship. As he grew older, his feelings for her evolved into something much more intense—a blend of admiration, love, and infatuation. Jackson once admitted that Ross was his "true inspiration" and even named her as his first true love.
In his 1982 hit song "Muscles," which he wrote specifically for Ross, Michael’s feelings were on full display. The lyrics were sensual and passionate, a far cry from the innocent, childlike adoration he had once shown her. Those close to Michael claimed that he often spoke of Diana as his ideal woman, the one person who truly understood him in a world that often seemed overwhelming.
Yet despite his love, Jackson’s relationship with Ross was complicated. As she moved on with her own life, marrying and building a family, Michael struggled to accept that the woman he adored could never be his. This unrequited love became a source of both inspiration and heartbreak for the King of Pop, influencing some of his most emotional songs.