Was Michael Jackson Going To Retire After This Is It

So, picture this: it’s early 2009, and Michael Jackson is about to drop the biggest concert comeback in history—This Is It. Fifty sold-out shows at the O2 Arena in London. The world is buzzing. But behind the glitter and moonwalk rehearsals, a juicy question floats around: Was Michael Jackson planning to hang up his sequined glove for good after this tour? Let’s dive into the rumor mill, shall we?

First off, let’s be real—this was Michael Jackson we’re talking about. The man didn’t just “retire.” Retirement for him would be like asking a fish to stop swimming. But the wildest part? There’s a chance he actually was seriously considering stepping away from the stage after This Is It.

Why? Because Michael himself dropped hints. In the rehearsal footage (the one that was later turned into the movie), he’s heard telling his team, “This is it—the final curtain call.” He wasn’t just being dramatic for the cameras; that was his intent. The guy literally named the tour This Is It as a nod to his swan song.

Let’s time travel back to March 2009. Michael announced the tour with a camera in his face, and his manager, Frank DiLeo, later spilled the beans: “Michael told me, ‘After this, I’m done. I’m going to retire.’” DiLeo wasn’t some random guy—he was MJ’s right-hand man. So, yeah, the tea was piping hot.

But here’s the twist: Michael also loved to mess with people. Remember when he said he’d retire after Bad in 1989? Or after Dangerous in 1993? The man cried “retirement” like I cry “I’m going to the gym tomorrow”—a lot of talk, very little follow-through. So was this for real this time?

Let’s look at the evidence stacked against retirement. First, Michael was a perfectionist who couldn’t sit still. The This Is It rehearsals were insane—he was choreographing, tweaking lighting, and even directing backup dancers like a mad scientist. A guy who retires doesn’t spend three hours perfecting a single spin on a hydraulic lift.

Second, he had billions of ideas left in his brain. In the months before his passing, he was already humming new songs during breaks. His co-writer Will.i.am said Michael called him saying, “I have this new sound—it’s like a mix of a thunderstorm and a lullaby.” That doesn’t sound like a man packing his bags for a quiet life in Neverland.

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Third, the money. Oof. Michael was reportedly $500 million in debt when he died. That’s like owing half a billion dollars to your credit card company. You don’t retire from that; you tour until your toes fall off. The This Is It shows were designed to be a cash machine—50 shows, millions of tickets, merch, a movie deal. Retiring after that would be like winning the lottery and immediately burning the ticket.

But wait—there’s another layer. Some insiders say Michael saw This Is It as a stepping stone, not a finish line. His friend and producer Kenny Ortega (the guy who directed the rehearsals) said Michael was already planning a second leg—more cities, more shows, maybe even a world tour. “He was rejuvenated,” Kenny said. “He was talking about next year.”

So, what’s the verdict? Did Michael Jackson really want to retire? Probably not—or at least, not permanently. I think he was playing the classic artist game: “I’ll quit after this masterpiece, except every masterpiece demands another one.” Like when your favorite singer says their album is their “last”—and then drops three more within a year. Yeah, we see you, MJ.

Let me paint you a funny picture: imagine Michael, after the final This Is It show, walking off stage, throwing a microphone into the crowd… and then sneaking back ten minutes later to do an encore in his pajamas. That felt more like his vibe. Retirement? More like “retirement-lite.”

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The truth is, we’ll never know for sure. The tragedy of his passing froze the timeline. We lost the chance to see if he’d actually vanish into his never-never land, or if he’d pop back up with a hologram dancing around him. (Honestly, knowing Michael, he’d probably announce a retirement, then release a single called “Just Kidding” featuring Justin Bieber.)

But here’s the thing—and it’s the important part: Michael Jackson never wanted to stop creating. He was addicted to the spotlight like I’m addicted to a good cup of coffee. The stage was his oxygen. Even if he had retired from touring, he’d have been in the studio, cooking up magic for someone else, or directing a Broadway show called Thriller: The Musical.

So, what’s the uplifting takeaway? That Michael Jackson, flawed and fabulous, gave us everything he had until his very last breath. He didn’t retire because his heart wouldn’t let him. And in a weird way, that’s beautiful. He left us the This Is It movie—a behind-the-scenes peek at a genius still hungry, still dancing, still singing “I’m loving it!” at three in the morning.

So next time you hear a song of his, smile. Know that he wasn’t planning on leaving you. He was planning on surprising you, tricking you, and making you feel something. And that’s the best kind of retirement: none at all.

Now, go do a little moonwalk in your kitchen. Michael would approve. 🕺