SUPERSTARDOM COVERING SUPERPATHOLOGY?

AJ Strata has an interesting interview up with someone who was once chief of security for Michael Jackson's Never Land Ranch. AJ notes after the interview:

Michael was dealing with an interesting pool of children. Those most in need, those coming from the most desperate families, those with many built in handicaps for dealing with a dominant super star with Class A legal council. The environment that led these children to be in such dire straits is the same which would be available to impugn any of their claims of wrong doing. And a majority would more than likely be open to a financial settlement. This is a recipe for trouble. A picture I am not convinced came out clearly in the trial.

I never recall seeing evidence that it was clear to security at all times how often children slept with Michael over the years. Was it once a month (12 a year), once a week (52 a year) or twice a week (104 a year). This is important information to know, in my opinion. I am not sure why this was not addressed?

Considering the attention that Jackson's recent trial generated, it is clear that he still represents in the mind of the public a figure of great interest. We watch in morbid fascination as "superstars" like Jackson live their lives; engage in foibles and debacles; and make mistakes that come with living large. In general, celebrity status, rather than diminishing the flaws in the people who attain it; seems to magnify them and create innovative options for their expression.

This is partly due to the risk of "acquired narcissism" that is inherent in celebrity. But save your pity for the poor individual who brings his or her own serious psychological defects to the realm of superstardom.

Jackson's bizarre transformation from wholesomecute kid star to exceedingly weird adult was on the world stage, exposed for all to see.

His eccentric behavior related to children--whether completely innocent and arising from a sad, but hardly puzzling desire to remain a perpetual child as he ages badly; or whether originating from a sick sexual pathology combined with predatory machinations--is clearly socially and psychologically suspect.

Take into account his public hypochondriasis and excessively histrionic behavior (even beyond what one might ordinarily find in a subculture that actively encourages that sort of thing), and even a random observer (let alone a psychiatrist looking on)--begins to wonder if there is not some serious psychopathology lurking behind all the trappings of fame and fortune.

It certainly wouldn't be the first time that wealth and privilege have covered up serious character pathology. But even in a culture that seemingly goes to extraordinary--one might say ridiculous--lengths to shield children from any hint of inappropriate sexuality-- but at the same time seems also to encourage it; Jackson's superstardom and accompanying wealth will not protect him forever--particularly if the worse that is suspected happens to be true.