ELI5: How did Michael Jackson become white : r explainlikeimfive They said he changed his skin on purpose but in 1993, Michael Jackson finally set the record straight. In a candid interview, he directly addressed the long standing rumors that he had Michael Jackson had a skin condition called vitiligo that most people don't know Michael Jackson dealt with rumors and backlash about his appearance until his death in 2009. Though the King of Pop acknowledged undergoing a handful of cosmetic procedures, he consistently pushed back on Health and appearance of Michael Jackson Wikipedia