“I Was Fixated on Her High Kick”: How Michael Jackson Borrowed a Subtle Move from Debbie Gibson’s Disney Special
OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
When it came to performance, Michael Jackson left nothing to chance. Every flick of the wrist, tilt of the hat, and slide across the stage was the product of meticulous study. Yet one of his lesser-known inspirations came not from a legendary dancer or choreographer—but from teenage pop sensation Debbie Gibson, whose televised Disney special caught the King of Pop’s famously discerning eye.
The Moment of Obsession: A High Kick and a Flowing Skirt
Debbie Gibson, who rose to fame in the late 1980s with chart-topping hits like “Only in My Dreams” and “Foolish Beat,” recalled the surreal moment she learned that Michael Jackson had watched her Disney television special—twice.
“I was told Michael was fixated on one part,” Gibson later said. “He wanted to study how my skirt moved during a high kick.”
It wasn’t the kick itself that fascinated Jackson—it was the effect. As someone who viewed movement as a total experience, Jackson was intrigued by how Gibson’s costume seemed to accentuate her motion, creating a visual rhythm that extended beyond the body. He noticed how the cut of her outfit and the timing of the turn gave a dynamic sense of flow, almost like choreography between the performer and her clothing.
For Jackson, this was exactly the kind of detail that separated good performance from unforgettable artistry.
The Disney Special That Sparked It All
The performance in question was part of a Disney Channel special featuring Gibson during the height of her early fame. The program showcased her energy, charisma, and a blend of pop choreography and theatrical flair—qualities that clearly resonated with Jackson’s own creative approach.
When she learned that Michael Jackson had not only watched her show but studied it for artistic inspiration, Gibson was stunned. “I couldn’t believe it,” she admitted in later interviews. “The idea that he would watch me perform—twice—was beyond comprehension.”
It was a revelation that underscored Jackson’s relentless curiosity. Even as one of the most successful entertainers on Earth, he continued to analyze and absorb new ideas from younger artists, regardless of genre or fame.
From Admiration to Collaboration
The admiration didn’t end with that television special. A few years later, Jackson extended an invitation that would mark a high point in Gibson’s career: a cameo in his 1989 music video for “Liberian Girl.”
The star-studded video featured dozens of celebrities—from Steven Spielberg and John Travolta to Whoopi Goldberg and Quincy Jones—all waiting on set for Jackson, who appears only in the final seconds. Gibson’s inclusion symbolized both her pop relevance and the mutual respect that had grown between her and Jackson.
For Gibson, the experience was surreal. “He had this way of noticing the smallest things,” she said. “That’s what made him great—he paid attention to everything.”
The Art of Detail: Jackson’s Philosophy of Movement
Michael Jackson’s fixation on Gibson’s performance wasn’t an isolated instance. Throughout his career, he studied performers across all genres—from Fred Astaire to James Brown to street dancers in Los Angeles. He absorbed details like a craftsman, blending micro-observations into larger statements of motion, costume, and rhythm.
Dance historians often point out that Jackson’s genius lay in his synthesis of influences—how he could take a small flourish, like the drape of a jacket or the snap of a glove, and turn it into a signature moment. His attention to Gibson’s high kick fits squarely within that artistic philosophy: it was less about imitation and more about transformation.
Legacy of an Unexpected Connection
Decades later, the anecdote stands as a fascinating reminder that even the most celebrated performers remain students of their craft. For Debbie Gibson, it’s a proud—and slightly surreal—footnote in her story. For Michael Jackson, it reflects the curiosity and precision that fueled his enduring creative evolution.
In the end, it wasn’t just a high kick. It was a moment of shared artistry between two pop generations—one that proved that even the smallest movement, when executed with grace, can catch the eye of a legend.
