Bill Whitfield

Bill Whitfield est bien plus que le dernier chef de la sécurité de Michael Jackson. Ancien policier devenu spécialiste de la protection rapprochée, il a accompagné le Roi de la Pop durant les dernières années de sa vie, de 2006 jusqu'à son décès en 2009. Chargé de veiller sur Michael Jackson et ses trois enfants, il a été l'un des rares témoins privilégiés de leur quotidien, partageant leurs joies, leurs inquiétudes et leurs nombreux déplacements.

Reconnu pour son professionnalisme, sa discrétion et sa loyauté, Bill Whitfield n'a jamais considéré son rôle comme un simple métier. Au fil du temps, une véritable relation de confiance et de respect mutuel s'est nouée avec Michael Jackson. Il a souvent expliqué que sa mission allait bien au-delà de la sécurité: il souhaitait protéger l'homme derrière la légende, ainsi que ses enfants, avec humanité et bienveillance.

Après la disparition de Michael Jackson, Bill a choisi de partager son témoignage dans le livre : REMEMBER THE TIME: PROTECTING MICHAEL JACKSON IN HIS FINAL DAYS, coécrit avec Javon Beard. Cet ouvrage, adapté pour un téléfilm avec dans le rôle de Michael, son sosie Navi, offre un regard intime sur les dernières années de la vie de l'artiste, vu par ceux qui étaient à ses côtés jour et nuit.

Aujourd'hui encore, Bill Whitfield demeure une voix importante pour de nombreux admirateurs de Michael Jackson. Son témoignage, empreint d'affection et de fidélité, rappelle l'homme sensible, attentionné et profondément attaché à ses enfants qu'il a eu le privilège de connaître.

Nous sommes profondément honorées et infiniment reconnaissantes que Bill ait accepté de nous accorder cette interview. Depuis la disparition de Michael Jackson, il continue, avec courage et dignité, à défendre le souvenir de l'homme qu'il a connu. A travers ses témoignages, il affirme avec constance sa conviction de l'innocence de Michael Jackson et n'hésite pas à dénoncer les pressions dont il dit avoir été l'objet, expliquant avoir reçu des propositions d'argent pour livrer un faux témoignage à charge contre Michael- des offres qu'il affirme avoir toujours refusées , par fidélité à la vérité et à ses principes. Son intégrité, sa loyauté et son attachement indéfectible à la vérité font de lui une voix précieuse pour tous ceux qui souhaitent mieux comprendre l'homme derrière la légende!

TPCV: How did you become Michael Jackson's bodyguard?

Bill: I have been doing private security/executive protection for nearly 20 years at the time. I have worked for several high-profile athletes and entertainers. I know a lot of people in the entertainment business, a lot of people know me. Because I was living in Las Vegas and Mr Jackson was preparing to move to Las Vegas due to a proposal that he would be a headliner to perform in Las Vegas, I was contacted by a personal acquaintance, I was asked if I was available for a security detail on December 22, 2006.

TPCV: What surprised you most about him when you started working alongside him?

Bill: It took nearly two weeks before me and Mr Jackson actually engaged in a conversation. I was surprised by the manner in which he raised his children. He was adamant about his children's education and their mannerism. He insured his children ate nourishing meals each day and they had the proper clothing to keep warm during the winter months. He was a hands caring dad and father.

TPCV: What is the biffest difference between Michael's public image and the man you knew?

Bill: I've often said I didn't know the King of Pop, I knew Mr Jackson, the man, person and father. In public he was the King of Pop, that's who people knew and wanted to see. In private he was as normal as anyone. We discussed everyday life and world issues.

TPCV: At what point did you feel that your relationship went beyond that of a simple bodyguard and became a genuine relationship of trust?

Bill: I have been doing private security for many years. Getting too close to a client and establishing a personal relationship was always avoiding, keeping it, business and professional was mandatory however; being around Mr Jackson daily, realizing he didn't have many friends that he could talk to and confide in I became someone he trusted. I was hard not to establish more of a personal relationship; he trusted me as I trusted him.

TPCV: Wich conversation with Michael made the biggest impression on you and why?

Bill: He often spoke of trust and depending on those that genuinely cared about you. After seeing all that he's gone through my trust in others is always questioned.

TPCV: What were is greatest hopes or plans at the end? He wanted to live a life of normalcy.

Bill: He wanted to be a film producer and photographer. He wanted his music to be seen as a healer to those that suffered.

TPCV: Do you think Michael felt understood by the world around him?

Bill: I wouldn't say the world, he understood the love and support from his fans.

TPCV: You have often defended him publicly. What motivates you to protect his memory even today?

Bill: Because I was blessed with the opportunity to know him personally, I seen the good in him. He was greatly misunderstood, he was my friend and I will forever defend his honor and character.

TPCV: In your opinion, what are the most widespread misconceptions about it?

Bill: That he would ever hurt a child.

TPCV: You stated that you were approached by certain media outlets after Michael's disappearance. Can you explain exactly what happened?

Bill: You mean after his DEATH! I was asked to do interviews that accused him of hurting children. I was offered life changing money. There was not amount of money that would make me turn my back on my friend!

TPCV: Were shocked by the nature or amount of any the proposals made to you ?

Bill: I was not necessarily shocked because I know that controversy it was most media outlets wants.

TPCV: How did you experience the contrast between what you observed on a daily basis and what was sometimes reported in the press?

Bill: I have been doing private security long enough to know when you become personally close to a client you know more of the actual truth about your client and how much is false in the tabloids.

TPCV: Looking back, what is your view on the media coverage of the legal cases involving Michael Jackson?

Bill: I don't believe the media reported the truth of who Mr Jackson was and what actually did not happen.

TPCV: If you could go back in time, what personal advice would you give Michael to better protect himself?

Bill: Keeing his family closer to him.

TPCV: Are there people in his circle whom you wish he had been more wary of?

Bill: Yes, many!

TPCV: Do you think his natural trust in others was sometimes used against him?

Bill: Because of his trust in others, I believe played a part in his passing away.

TPCV: With what you know today, what is the most important piece of advice you would have given him/her regarding his/her safety, reputation, or well-being?

Bill: Has he reestablished the relationship with his family I believe he'd be here today.

TPCV: If you had had the opportunity to speak to him alone a few days before his disappearance, what is the one thing you would have absolutly wanted to say to him?

Bill: To keep me by his side.

TPCV: Do you think there was some advice Michael needed to hear, but no one around him had the courage to give to him?

Bill: Mr Jackson was a smart man. He knew what he was doing and what was best. I may not have agreed with everything he did but I trusted his decision making.

TPCV: What human legacy did Michael Jackson leave behind, beyond music?

Bill: The love, trust and admiration for his fans.

TPCV: What do you think he would say about the world today and the music industry as it is now?

Bill: There is no love in today's music.

TPCV: After everything you experienced with him, if you had one last minute to speak to the world about Michael Jackson, what message would you like to convey?

Bill: The journey to keep his legacy continues. We should never stop celebrating him!

TPCV: Michael Jackson dedicated a large part of his life to conveying messages of love, unity, and hope. Having know the man behind the icon, what do you think is the value or lesson our society would most benefit from relearning today through his example?

Bill: Not just listen to his music, but pay attention to his words of love!