Grammy Award-winning singer and Broadway legend Stephanie Mills has once again made it clear that she will never remain silent when it comes to defending her longtime friend Michael Jackson.
During a powerful appearance on Shannon Sharpe’s Club Shay Shay, released on November 4, 2026, Mills opened up about her personal relationship with Michael, her memories of their friendship, and why she continues to challenge those who have treated the King of Pop unfairly.
Her conversation offered fans a heartfelt reminder that Michael was much more than the global superstar the world knew. He was also a friend, someone she shared personal moments with, and an artist whose legacy she believes deserves to be protected.
A Friendship That Began With The Wiz
Stephanie Mills first met Michael Jackson while working on the Broadway production of The Wiz, where Michael would later star as the Scarecrow in the 1978 film adaptation.
At the time, Mills was already familiar with the Jackson 5 and admitted that, like many young Black girls growing up, she had dreamed of marrying Michael.
During the interview, she affectionately recalled her first encounter with him, explaining that she immediately thought they would eventually get married and have children.
Their relationship developed beyond childhood admiration, however, into a genuine friendship.
Mills revealed that she spent time at Michael’s New York apartment during the filming of The Wiz. She recalled braiding his hair and cooking for him, sharing intimate memories that illustrated the personal connection they maintained away from the spotlight.
These memories remain particularly precious to her, and they help explain why she has consistently spoken out whenever Michael’s character or legacy has been questioned.
Stephanie Mills Challenges Oprah Winfrey
One of the most significant moments of the interview came when Mills addressed Oprah Winfrey and her decision to give Michael Jackson’s accusers a platform.
Mills questioned how someone who had personally visited Michael’s home and knew him could subsequently participate in presenting allegations against him to a worldwide audience.
“She went to his house. She knew him,” Mills told Shannon Sharpe.
The singer was referring to Winfrey’s 2019 televised interview with Wade Robson and James Safechuck, whose allegations against Michael were also featured in HBO’s Leaving Neverland.
Mills expressed her frustration with the decision to give the allegations such prominent exposure, particularly considering Michael’s 2005 criminal trial, in which he was acquitted on every charge.
“So to give someone a platform when you know he’s been acquitted and that it’s wrong, right? It’s wrong,” she said.
For Mills, the issue goes beyond disagreements between celebrities. It concerns loyalty, responsibility and the treatment of someone she personally knew and respected.
She also made it clear that she has no interest in resolving her disagreement with Winfrey through a private conversation.
“I don’t think we need to sit in a room. I think they understand exactly what they do,” Mills explained.
Her position was unmistakable: she will continue to speak out whenever she believes Michael or other Black entertainers are being unfairly treated.
Michael Jackson’s Appearance and the Pepsi Accident
Mills also revisited Michael’s changing appearance, recalling the first time she noticed a significant difference in his facial features.
She explained that she saw him during the filming of the Bad short film, after he had called her. Her best friend had also been involved in choreographing the production.
Mills admitted that she whispered something to Michael when she saw him, although she declined to reveal exactly what she said.
The conversation subsequently turned to the devastating Pepsi accident of 1984, when Michael suffered serious burns during the filming of a commercial.
Mills suggested that the accident and the pain Michael experienced may have played an important role in what followed.
“He started taking, I guess, you know, pain pills,” she recalled, adding that she believed the accident may have been the beginning of Michael’s subsequent struggles.
Her comments brought attention to a painful chapter of Michael’s life that is often discussed primarily in relation to his appearance rather than the physical suffering he endured.
Stephanie Mills Reacts to Michael and Praises Jaafar Jackson
The conversation also touched on the Michael biopic, which Mills had watched and found deeply emotional.
She praised Jaafar Jackson’s performance, expressing how watching Michael’s story on screen made her wish that her friend were still alive to experience it himself.
“It made me sad in the sense that I was like, God, he should be here,” she said.
Mills also wondered whether Michael would have appreciated his nephew’s portrayal and the finished production.
Her answer was emphatic: she believed Michael would have been pleased.
She particularly appreciated the decision to concentrate on Michael’s music and extraordinary career rather than filling the film with unnecessary controversy.
Mills also praised Chris Brown’s dancing and performance precision, describing him as the closest contemporary comparison to Michael in those particular areas.
However, she made clear that she did not believe Brown should portray Michael in the biopic because he does not physically resemble him.
She also recalled Brown’s spectacular rehearsal for the 2010 Grammy tribute to Michael, which she believed Michael himself would have loved.
“Michael would have been very pleased,” she said.
“Oh my God. Michael would have loved that.”
A Friend Who Continues to Speak Out
Stephanie Mills’ appearance on Club Shay Shay was another reminder of the importance of Michael Jackson’s personal relationships and the people who continue to remember him beyond the headlines.
For Mills, defending Michael is not simply about protecting the legacy of a legendary entertainer. It is about standing up for someone she knew personally, someone whose friendship she valued, and whose extraordinary contribution to music deserves recognition.
Her comments about Oprah Winfrey, her memories of their time together, and her emotional reaction to Jaafar Jackson’s performance all came from the same place: a lasting affection for Michael and a determination to see his story remembered with respect.
More than seventeen years after his passing, Stephanie Mills remains one of the voices willing to speak openly in his defence.
And, as her latest interview demonstrates, she has absolutely no intention of stopping.
