Kenny Ortega, the visionary director and choreographer who worked closely with Michael for years, recently opened up about the most powerful lesson he learned from the King of Pop. Speaking on the Chicks in the Office podcast, Ortega reflected on how Michael’s approach to creativity continues to shape his work even today.
Ortega, who collaborated with Michael on iconic projects like the Dangerous World Tour, HIStory World Tour, Michael & Friends, and the documentary This Is It, shared that Michael was always mindful of the energy in a creative space.
“He would always start by saying, ‘Kenny, we can’t let fear into the room. Fear only gets in the way of creativity. We can’t let fear into the room,’” Ortega recalled. “And he was aware of it. He watched for it.”
Michael’s commitment to nurturing a fearless creative environment was so strong that he would halt tour rehearsals if he spotted executives or accountants in the room, Ortega revealed.
“He didn’t want the money people in the room going, ‘You can’t do that. We can’t afford that. We can’t,’” Ortega said. “At the end of the day, you know, we had to balance a budget. He didn’t really like to do that very much, but he was a creative genius and he just didn’t want anything in the space that would limit imagination.”
Ortega was at the helm of This Is It, the documentary capturing the behind-the-scenes magic of Michael’s planned return to the stage. Sadly, Michael passed away on June 25, 2009, just weeks before opening night. Ortega later testified at Dr. Conrad Murray’s trial, where he revealed concerns about Michael’s health during those final rehearsals.
Even after Michael’s passing, Ortega has carried his mentor’s lessons into new projects, especially during his time directing for Disney Channel hits like High School Musical. He explained how Michael’s philosophy of fostering creative freedom influenced his work with young performers.
“I could create an environment for them that enabled them to play and be kids and to have fun and to use their voices,” Ortega said. “That came from Michael. He believed in empowering artists to explore without fear.”
You can listen to the full interview with Kenny Ortega on Chicks in the Office below.
