Michael Jackson’s “Dirty Diana” sparked headlines for its provocative subject matter, but it also carried an unexpected royal twist thanks to Princess Diana’s surprising admiration for the track.
The risqué 1988 classic found an unlikely admirer in the Princess of Wales. She called it her favorite song of the entertainer’s reported Biography.
Jackson and Diana forged a bond over their love of philanthropy and their shared experiences. Both lived under constant media scrutiny throughout the 1980s.
The powerhouse friends first met in July 1988, reported Biography, when the princess and her ex-husband King Charles attended the entertainer’s Wembley Stadium Bad Tour. That was the first meeting between Jackson and Diana, who attended the July 1988 show along with her then-husband Prince Charles.
Parade Daily🎬 SIGN UP for Parade’s Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬
Jackson spoke about meeting Diana and performing in front of the royal couple in an interview with Barbara Walters almost a decade later, in 1997. “I took [‘Dirty Diana’] out of the show in honor of Her Royal Highness,” he explained. Diana asked the King of Pop, “Are you going to do ‘Dirty Diana’ she asked him. He responded, “No, I took it out of the show because of you.”
RELATED: As ‘MICHAEL’ Hits Theaters, Michael Jackson’s Own Words About Being ‘Lonely’ Sound Even More Haunting
Diana encouraged Jackson to keep it in the setlist. She said, ‘No! I want you to do it. Do it. Do the song.’”
Despite years of speculation about the song’s meaning, including that it was written for Princess Diana, “Dirty Diana” was, in fact, about a groupie. He wrote the song for the LP Bad, and it was his 5th consecutive No. 1 single said his official Facebook page.
RELATED: Michael Jackson’s 1983 Smash About a Delusional Fan Hides a Disturbing True Story
“Dirty Diana” gave Jackson the rare distinction of becoming the only artist to score five consecutive No. 1 singles from the same album. It also stood out in his catalog as one of the few tracks featuring a guitar solo, with Steve Stevens providing the instrumental edge.
Jackson’s popularity has surged since the release of the feature film Michael. The renewed attention has introduced his music to a new generation of listeners while also sparking fresh interest in his most iconic hits and stories.
The Hollywood Reporter shared that Michael opened with a whopping $97 million domestically, and a $120.4 million overseas. In total, the film grossed $217.4 million thus in its first three days of release.
Princess Diana died at 36 in August 1997. Michael Jackson died in 2009 at 50.
MORE: A 1953 Murder Mystery Musical Inspired Michael Jackson’s Iconic ‘Smooth Criminal’ Video
