Karen Faye, Michael Jackson’s longtime make-up artist and one of the most controversial figures within the fan community, has once again found herself at the centre of discussion after sharing a previously unseen Polaroid of the King of Pop.
The image was taken during the now-infamous 1987 Greg Gorman photoshoot, a session that remained largely unseen until the first photograph surfaced publicly in 2015. The shoot has long fascinated fans due to its artistic nature and the intimate images captured by celebrated photographer Greg Gorman.
Karen accompanied the newly shared Polaroid with:
“For all the fans that he truly loved….we miss the authentic Michael Jackson ❤️💔 I share my Polaroid.”
She later added:
“I share with fans for free, because we love him and he loved you.”
As expected, the reaction from the Michael Jackson community has been anything but unanimous.
Some fans believe the photograph should never have been shared, arguing that Michael is no longer here to consent to the release of such a personal image.
One fan commented:
“I know everyone will be very happy to see new photos of him but idk this doesn’t feel good to me. I’m not saying MJ was the purest human on earth (bc he’s not). But posting such intimate photo with most of his body exposed… idk, not comfortable as he’s not here to consent.”
Another wrote:
“All shade, no tea, but this is plain disrespectful, especially when he wouldn’t have wanted these photos out. Please let the man rest in peace.”
Others, however, have defended Karen’s decision, pointing out that the Greg Gorman photoshoot has already entered the public domain and appreciating her willingness to share personal memories without attempting to profit from them.
One supporter wrote:
“Thank you Karen for everything you share ❤️ I am so grateful 🙏 Thank you for putting up with the rude, mean, narrow-minded people who think they know him better than you. Thank you for your patience, kindness and resilience.”
Another added:
“The photo shoot is public, why are we going off over a picture? I’m confused. Plus, no matter if you don’t like this lady or not, she knew Michael personally. She travelled with him, did his make-up. It’s not like we ain’t seen it before — the gold pants are worse.”
Karen Faye has often divided opinion among fans over the years, and this latest post is no exception. While many treasure every new glimpse into Michael Jackson’s life, others believe there should be limits when it comes to releasing private or intimate photographs after his passing.
One thing is certain: even nearly four decades after the Greg Gorman session, these images continue to spark passionate conversations throughout the fan community.
What do you think? Should previously unseen personal photos of Michael Jackson continue to be shared, or should they remain private? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Note: We have enhanced the image for clarity while preserving the original Polaroid appearance. Karen Faye’s original upload is shown below for comparison.
