Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for The Recording Academy/Olaf Selchow/Getty Images
Janelle Monáe is trending online after she recreated the viral scene of Michael Jackson hanging his infant son, Blanket, over a balcony. The incident that shocked the world occurred in November 2002.
Last week, footage surfaced of Monáe enjoying her time in Paris. However, the singer was not alone on her travels. She was joined by her cyberpup.
Then, on Tuesday, July 16, The Shade Room reposted a video of Monáe in Italy. To note, the footage is currently not seen on the singer’s Instagram or TikTok feed, so it remains unclear whether the video was initially shared via either platform.
In the clip, Monáe is seen walking toward the edge of a balcony dressed in a black wig and a red shirt. Additionally, she’s carrying her cyberpup in her arms with a blanket over its head.
As the video continues, Monáe briefly hangs the pop over the balcony before quickly pulling him back in.
Before the clip ends, Monáe returns to the balcony to briefly wave at fans before covering her face with a curtain and throwing a towel into the crowd.
Social media users shared reactions to Monáe’s recreation video in The Shade Room’s comment section.
Instagram user @therealantoniodepina wrote, “Now that I think… wtf was Michael Jackson thinking”
While Instagram user @imkentravion added, “yall so sensitive man I’ll be cancelled everyday .😂😂😂😂”
According to a report published by The Guardian on November 19, 2002, the late “King of Pop” made headlines at the time after dangling a nine-month-old Blanket over a fifth-floor balcony in Berlin. BBC added that over 200 fans were stationed outside Jackson’s hotel room.
Furthermore, The Guardian noted that Blanket’s “existence” had only become known to the world in August of that year. At the time, the identity of Blanket’s mother and whether the King of Pop had adopted him remained a “mystery.”
After Jackson’s actions, the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children shared a statement with the public, per The Guardian. The society urged people “not to put babies or children at potential risk by dangling them over a balcony.”
Click here to watch the viral footage of the incident.
Ultimately, Jackson released a statement regarding his actions on November 20, 2002, per BBC.
“I got caught up in the excitement of the moment. I would never intentionally endanger the lives of my children,” Jackson reportedly explained.
