Originally published on Medium in 2024, this file looks at the friendship between Michael Jackson and Chris Tucker—a bond forged in the fires of the ‘Invincible’ era and how Tucker still honors and cherishes his friend to this day.

Since we covered the friendship between Michael Jackson and Macaulay Culkin, we’ll continue to lineup Jackson’s biggest defenders with one of his best friends, Chris Tucker. Becoming friends sometime between the late 1990s and early 2000s, Tucker stood by Jackson when he needed it most by testifying on his behalf in 2005, and has continued supporting him afterwards, even frequently paying tribute to him in the aftermath of his passing. As mentioned  in Culkin’s segment, we will address the individual testimonies given by Tucker and Culkin during the 2005 trial when we get to that particular point in the series.

As such, we will be saving Tucker’s actual testimony for that period. Why, you ask? Because the Arvizo’s and their claims need to be evaluated fully to have a full understanding of everything — especially in the case of Tucker, as he dealt with the family on an extensive level and knew them first. Seeing as though that was the only time Tucker addressed the allegations in-depth, this specific section will simply focus on their close friendship.

That said, here is a quote from Tom Mesereau (Jackson’s defense attorney during the 2005 trial) that I also included in Culkin’s piece:

I have to say, Chris Tucker and Macaulay Culkin will always go down in my book as loyal, good friends. They had managers and agents, and lawyers who didn’t want them to get involved [in Jackson’s 2005 trial] and they both told me ‘Michael needs us, we’re going to be there’

The running theme with this series has been letting people speak for themselves, which is what I will allow both Chris and Michael to do as it pertains to their friendship.

RELATED: Hell Freezing Over: How the Epstein Case Shifted the Conversation on Michael Jackson

Chris Tucker on Michael Jackson

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In April 2023, around the release of his latest film Air, Tucker gave a cover story interview to GQ, and it was his friendship with Jackson that kicked off the piece, with Tucker telling the publication that Jackson was a dear friend, and that he (Jackson) wanted him to work more:

He used to always say, ‘Let’s make history,’ we want to see more of you Chris! What are you doing?!’

Later on in the interview, Tucker further explained how the two first met, saying:

I was in New York for two days waiting to meet MJ. I took a private jet there. I said, well, I ain’t heard from him, I got to go. Took a private jet back to LA and as soon as I landed, I had a message: ‘Michael Jackson wants to meet you tomorrow morning.’ I was still on the plane. I went up to the captain and said, ‘I’ll pay you whatever you want to take me back to New York.’

In 2012, three years after Jackson’s passing, Tucker gave an interview with The Ricky Smiley Show, where he spoke more about the bond the two had. Here are some excerpts courtesy of MJJC, who pulled and transcribed them at the time of the actual interview:

It was incredible man. He was like a modern day King and he was the nicest guy ever. He was a friend of mine and of course I was a fan of his. I grew up being his fan. My biggest moment with Michael was when I made him laugh and I didn’t even know…. He would just be laughing. He would just laugh to the way I talk cause I guess he thought I was country.

When Tucker was asked if he ever played jokes on Michael, this is what he had to say (note: he’s being facetious here):

Oh no no I was scared he would have thrown me out of Neverland. I wanted to stay at Neverland. I was like ‘uh no.’

Some memorable moments between the two:

He changed my name , he started to call me Christmas. I didn’t know who he was talking about. He said ‘Hey Christmas,’ I said ‘who are you talking about?’ what is wrong with him? He said ‘I’m talking about you. Your name sounds like Christmas. It’s beautiful. You should keep it.’ Mike was a genius man

One time we were at Vegas and this is crazy Michael went shopping. We went to this place at the Venetian. That’s when I realized I was with Michael Jackson. I mean these people swarm him like Jesus. I couldn’t believe it. They pushed me out of the way. They thought I was his security guard. They were like ‘Man Michael Jackson’s security guy looks like Chris Tucker.’ I was like ‘Damn get off of me. Michael gotta go’

Tucker on going to the movies with Jackson:

You know what, We go to the movies sometime. Both of us like going to the movies sometime. So, we go to the movies, but it’s hard. Because Michael gotta sneak in the movie right before it starts. So Michael coming in like with a ninja suit on. He’s hiding, all black, all of a sudden I’m sitting there ‘Where’s Michael?’ And I turn around, he is like ‘Hey Chris’, I’m like ‘oh man! How long have you been here?’ He said ‘about five minutes, I’m sorry. Did I scare you? Sorry Chris.’

Tucker on appearing at Jackson’s 30th Anniversary Concert:

Michael is a good friend of mine. Michael called me on the phone and was like ‘Is this Chris Tucker?’ I said ‘Yeah, who’s this?’ He said ‘This is Michael Jackson.’ I said ‘Wassup Mike,’ and he said ‘I just wanted to call and tell you that I’ve seen your movie Rush Hour 2, and you’re kicking with the wrong leg!’

Tucker has delivered some other fun anecdotes about his relationship with Jackson, but being the true, loyal friend he is (even in death), won’t divulge anything beyond that. That leads us to what Jackson had to say about Tucker.

Michael Jackson on Chris Tucker

It’s very hard to work with Chris Tucker because when the director says ‘Action’…you just start screamin’ laughin’. I just look at him and his eyes pop out of his head because he’s so funny, and that’s what makes it difficult. He does these little things in-between where he’s just improvising, and it’s very funny.”

Jackson, while receiving the “Artist of the Century” honor at the 2002 American Music Awards (which you can watch here):

Chris Tucker, you are the funniest man alive.

The definition of a true friendship.

Featured Photo: Courtesy of Billboard Music Awards

RELATED: The Lost Melody: Michael Jackson’s Carnegie Hall Address 25 Years Later

Author Bio

Jael Rucker is the founder of Decked Out Magazine. She has previously worked as the Associate Commerce Editor at PureWow, focusing on analytics and trends to pitch stories and optimize articles that build and engage their audience. Her work has also been seen in Footwear News and WWD. Prior to 2024, she was the style and pop culture editor at ONE37pm for over three years, contributing numerous product reviews, brand profiles and fashion trend reports, which included interviewing Steph Curry, Snoop Dogg and more.