Hannah Kozak

Hannah Kozak had a psycho-spiritual epiphany when Michael Jackson died. This photo essay documents her search and process of learning about who this soft-hearted genius was and not the fabricated illusions the media force fed us.

I was ten years old the first time I heard Michael Jackson’s falsetto voice singing “I Want You Back.” I had a visceral reaction to his voice and everything about him. I still do. His soulful eyes, his unique dancing, his boundless creativity and spiritual approach to life all mesmerized me. Michael was a force field of energy and a creative genius, who, with his vision, would conceive and execute his ideas through his lifelong habit of discipline.

Michael Jackson died on June 25, 2009 causing a shift inside of me. I have delayed reactions to my feelings and emotions and Michael’s death was no different. I couldn’t quite process that he was gone. That very same day I was injured while working on a stunt job. I was injured, hurt and confused - both for myself and over Michael’s death - emotions that inspired intensive research into who this man truly was.

As I have been Michaeling since his death and I have experienced a profound awakening in understanding who this man was, not what the media wanted us to believe. When I saw him on stage during the Victory tour in 1984, I could feel his magic. He was so enchanting that I sometimes wondered if he was real. I never met Michael yet I cried when he was gone like he was one of my closest friends. I knew him through his songs and through his dance.

The world grew a little dimmer on June 25, 2009 and something shifted in me when this creative light left us. This is my homage to MJ. It is an honor to be an advocate of Michael Jackson, and I will defend him until my last exhale.