Music legend Lionel Richie has shared new stories about his late friend Michael Jackson, giving fans a glimpse into both their creative bond and the pop star’s unusual hygiene habits.
Jackson, who died on June 25, 2009, at age 50 in Los Angeles, was known for his perfection on stage but, according to Richie, had quirks off it. In his memoir Truly, Richie revealed that Jackson sometimes went days without changing his clothes.
“Michael would laugh, realizing he hadn’t changed or washed his clothes for a couple of days,” Richie told PEOPLE.
Lionel Richie said Jackson often wore stage costumes, loose pyjama bottoms, or anything comfortable for dancing or playing with his animals. Sometimes, he would wear underwear and pants until they were completely worn out.
“He just got into the habit of wearing the same clothes until they were falling apart,” Richie wrote, noting that fans and staff often took his outfits as souvenirs.
Despite the quirks, Richie highlighted the warmth of their friendship. The two co-wrote the 1985 charity anthem We Are the World and spent hours together in studios.
Richie recalled a visit from Jackson to his home when he handed him fresh jeans and underwear, only to find the old ones left on the carpet afterward.
“In the studio, he could distinguish 15 different mixes of a song,” Richie said. “But in daily life, that kid was just winging it every minute.”
