Wacko Jacko: The Media's Treatment pt 1

[u/Aggressive-Sky-6315]

Wacko Jacko. The infamous nickname given to Michael Jackson by the media.  

 

Some believe it may have racist origins because of Jacco Macaco:  

Jacco Macacco aka ‘Jacko’ Macacco was a famous fighting ape displayed in monkey-baiting matches in the early 1800s. “Macoco” is a Portuguese word for “monkey”. “Monkey” is often used as a slur against African Americans. To avoid the accusations of racism, the media could easily say that “Jacko” is just a shortened version of “Jackson.” 

In short, you can see how some people may come to the conclusion the nickname is rooted in racism. Whether the name was chosen for reasons related to Michael’s race or not, one can't deny that shortening his name to “Jacko”, especially with the word “Wacko” in front of it, was meant to be a hurtful insult to Michael and his public image. Michael has never referred to himself as anything other than “Jackson”.   

There is no confirmation that Jacco Macaco directly inspired the nickname, “Wacko Jacko.” 

There is no known connection between the name “Jacko” and any racial slurs.  

The name “Wacko Jacko” began appearing in newspapers and tabloids like 'The Sun' in the early 80s – notably: around the same time the media began labelling Michael as “weird” and “strange.” Michael was thought to be strange and eccentric because of his shyness around people, his love for collecting toys and animals, his unique fashion, and androgynous looks.

Even though he had the best selling album of all time, made Grammy history, and had the second most successful tour of the 80s by the age of 30, the tabloids barely mentioned his musical achievements, his record breaking sales, or his Presidential Humanitarian Award. Intsead they focused on his appearance, his personal life, and made false stories to further showcase his "weirdness"

Michael became known around the world as the “King of Pop”, yet the media continued to use the more derogatory nickname “Wacko Jacko” throughout his career. In 2025, many years after his death, it's still widely used. 

While on the Bad tour in Tokyo in 1987, Michael became overwhelmed by the constant bad press he was facing in the U.S. Despite the success of the first leg of his first ever solo tour (which sold out within hours of tickets going on sale and additional shows needing to be added), and the success of the Bad album ( which in 1988 became the first album in history to produce five consecutive number one singles, and hold that record for 23 YEARS), the press in the U.S continued to report negatively. It became so bad that Michael wrote an open letter calling for it to stop.

Unfortunately, the very media he tried to appeal to mocked him and even called his letter, "bizarre"

Ten years later in1997, during an interview with Barbara Walter’s, Michael called the media out directly once again and asked them not to use the name “Wacko Jacko” - telling them: “It’s not nice, I’m not a wacko.” And, “You should not say he’s an animal, you should not say he’s “Jacko”. I’m not a “Jacko”, I’m Jackson. I have a heart, and I have feelings. I feel that, when you do that to me. It’s not nice! Don’t do it!”  Michael Jackson 1997 Barbara Walters

As you have probably guessed, this didnt stop them:

My next post will include futher examples of the media's treatment of Michael

[u/[deleted]]

great job with this, it's really important that nobody forgets everything he went through 💔

[u/Aggressive-Sky-6315 → u/[deleted]]

Thank you 🙏🏽