Lionel Richie On How Late Friend Michael Jackson Earned The Nickname ‘Smelly’: ‘He’d Wear Pants Until They Were Unwearable’

Lionel Richie On How Late Friend Michael Jackson Earned The Nickname ‘Smelly’: ‘He’d Wear Pants Until They Were Unwearable’

Did the King of Pop have a hygiene problem?

His good friend #LionelRichie sure seems to think so.

 

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In his newly released memoir, Truly, Lionel shares candid anecdotes about his late friend and collaborator, #MichaelJackson. Lionel recalls that Michael’s eccentric lifestyle and poor hygiene earned him the nickname “Smelly,” a term often used by producer #QuincyJones.

Lionel describes how Michael would keep on the same clothes for days, sometimes until they were “unwearable,” due to challenges such as his intense schedule and not being able to shop like most would because of his level of fame. He also notes that when Michael would send his clothes out for dry cleaning, they’d frequently be stolen. “Everybody kept something for a souvenir. He just got into the habit of wearing the same pants until they were unwearable.”

Lionel makes it clear that the #Thriller arist knew the nickname was all in good fun, writing: “Michael would laugh too, realizing that he was oblivious to the fact that he hadn’t changed or washed his clothes for a couple of days or so. We all have our quirks.”