Michael Jackson's Leading Ladies

Naomi Campbell, Iman and other models in MJ's music videos.

Happy Birthday, Michael Jackson! - The King of Pop, Michael Jackson, had his share of women admirers, but surprisingly, there were only a few leading ladies in his music video catalog. Many are some of the most recognizable faces even today, and all had at least a brush of that incomparable, iconic MJ spotlight.As we celebrate his life and legacy on his birthday today, Aug. 29, 2014, take a look at where MJ’s leading ladies are now. — Dominique Zonyeé (@DominiqueZonyee)(Photos from left: Mark Robert Milan/GC Images, Phil Walter/Getty Images, Larry Busacca/Getty Images)

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Happy Birthday, Michael Jackson! - The King of Pop, Michael Jackson, had his share of women admirers, but surprisingly, there were only a few leading ladies in his music video catalog. Many are some of the most recognizable faces even today, and all had at least a brush of that incomparable, iconic MJ spotlight.As we celebrate his life and legacy on his birthday today, Aug. 29, 2014, take a look at where MJ’s leading ladies are now. — Dominique Zonyeé (@DominiqueZonyee)(Photos from left: Mark Robert Milan/GC Images, Phil Walter/Getty Images, Larry Busacca/Getty Images)

Danielle Acoff - Dancer/actress Danielle Acoff starred in Michael Jackson’s latest posthumous video for his single "A Place With No Name,” which was released via twitter Aug. 2014. Danielle showcased her dancing skills on the beach alongside male co-star Alvester Martin, while MJ appeared throughout the video courtesy of outtakes from his 1992 classic "In the Closet." Most recently, Danielle’s passion for dance led her to another flexible career, she Instagrammed that she can now add certified yoga instructor to her résumé.(Photo: MJJ Productions)

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Danielle Acoff - Dancer/actress Danielle Acoff starred in Michael Jackson’s latest posthumous video for his single "A Place With No Name,” which was released via twitter Aug. 2014. Danielle showcased her dancing skills on the beach alongside male co-star Alvester Martin, while MJ appeared throughout the video courtesy of outtakes from his 1992 classic "In the Closet." Most recently, Danielle’s passion for dance led her to another flexible career, she Instagrammed that she can now add certified yoga instructor to her résumé.(Photo: MJJ Productions)

Beverly Johnson - The first Black supermodel to cover American Vogue magazine in 1974, Beverly Johnson was also the first face of many celebs that appeared in MJ’s star-studded “Liberian Girl” video in 1989. Johnson has since said farewell to her modeling days and transformed herself into a full-blown businesswoman with her wig and extension line. She was named one of 20th century's most influential people in fashion by The New York Times in 2008.(Photo: MJJ Productions)

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Beverly Johnson - The first Black supermodel to cover American Vogue magazine in 1974, Beverly Johnson was also the first face of many celebs that appeared in MJ’s star-studded “Liberian Girl” video in 1989. Johnson has since said farewell to her modeling days and transformed herself into a full-blown businesswoman with her wig and extension line. She was named one of 20th century's most influential people in fashion by The New York Times in 2008.(Photo: MJJ Productions)

Ola Ray - Ola Ray had the honor of starring in MJ’s most iconic video ever, “Thriller.” Ray was cast as Michael’s leading lady, who he scared away with his zombie, teen-wolf night life. The video, or short film if you will, was an instant success and catapulted both Ray and Jackson’s careers. However, it wasn’t all good; Ray battled with Jackson’s estate for decades to obtain royalties from the video. She sued him in 2009, two months prior to his death. She and the estate reached a settlement to the tune of $55,000 in 2013.(Photo: MJJ Productions) 

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Ola Ray - Ola Ray had the honor of starring in MJ’s most iconic video ever, “Thriller.” Ray was cast as Michael’s leading lady, who he scared away with his zombie, teen-wolf night life. The video, or short film if you will, was an instant success and catapulted both Ray and Jackson’s careers. However, it wasn’t all good; Ray battled with Jackson’s estate for decades to obtain royalties from the video. She sued him in 2009, two months prior to his death. She and the estate reached a settlement to the tune of $55,000 in 2013.(Photo: MJJ Productions) 

Naomi Campbell - Actress/model and part-time singer Naomi Campbell helped drive Michael’s “In the Closet” to become the third consecutive Top 10 single off his Dangerous album. In the 1991, sepia-colored video, Campbell served as MJ’s dance partner. More than two decades later, she is still slaying runways, video sets, editorial spreads and more. Naomi most recently appeared in W’s Fall Fashion Issue alongside Rihanna and Iman, and in 2013 she served as a coach in Oxygen’s modeling competition reality show The Face.(Photo: MJJ Productions) 

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Naomi Campbell - Actress/model and part-time singer Naomi Campbell helped drive Michael’s “In the Closet” to become the third consecutive Top 10 single off his Dangerous album. In the 1991, sepia-colored video, Campbell served as MJ’s dance partner. More than two decades later, she is still slaying runways, video sets, editorial spreads and more. Naomi most recently appeared in W’s Fall Fashion Issue alongside Rihanna and Iman, and in 2013 she served as a coach in Oxygen’s modeling competition reality show The Face.(Photo: MJJ Productions) 

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Iman - Supermodel and businesswomen Iman starred as the queen in the nine-minute, elaborate Egyptian-themed production, “Remember the Time” in 1992. She even stole a kiss from the King of Pop in the video. Since then, Iman expanded her beauty empire from the runway to a lucrative cosmetics line, Iman Cosmetics. The multi-million-dollar brand caters to all skin types and shades and can be found in drug stores and specialty stores across the globe.(Photo: MJJ Productions)  

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Iman - Supermodel and businesswomen Iman starred as the queen in the nine-minute, elaborate Egyptian-themed production, “Remember the Time” in 1992. She even stole a kiss from the King of Pop in the video. Since then, Iman expanded her beauty empire from the runway to a lucrative cosmetics line, Iman Cosmetics. The multi-million-dollar brand caters to all skin types and shades and can be found in drug stores and specialty stores across the globe.(Photo: MJJ Productions)  

Lisa Dean - Vogue cover girl Lisa Dean was known affectionately as Dirty Diana after she and her killer legs appeared in the “Dirty Diana” video. The five-minute motion picture won the "Number-One Video in the World" award at the 2nd World Music Awards in 1989. Dean died due to complications from colon cancer just five-months after MJ's sudden death in 2009.(Photo: Sony Music)

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Lisa Dean - Vogue cover girl Lisa Dean was known affectionately as Dirty Diana after she and her killer legs appeared in the “Dirty Diana” video. The five-minute motion picture won the "Number-One Video in the World" award at the 2nd World Music Awards in 1989. Dean died due to complications from colon cancer just five-months after MJ's sudden death in 2009.(Photo: Sony Music)

Photo By Photo: Sony Music

Tatiana Thumbtzen - Starring in “The Way You Make Me Feel,” Tatiana Thumbtzen was the epitome of MJ’s Bad. After nailing the role as his leading lady in the video she hit the road with Jackson for his Bad Tour, but claims she was fired after stealing a kiss from MJ while they were on stage performing. The exile led Thumbtzsen to pen several books about her relationship with the pop star including The Way He Made Me Feel in 2005 and Michael & Tatiana: King of My Heart in 2012.(Photo: MJJ Productions)

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Tatiana Thumbtzen - Starring in “The Way You Make Me Feel,” Tatiana Thumbtzen was the epitome of MJ’s Bad. After nailing the role as his leading lady in the video she hit the road with Jackson for his Bad Tour, but claims she was fired after stealing a kiss from MJ while they were on stage performing. The exile led Thumbtzsen to pen several books about her relationship with the pop star including The Way He Made Me Feel in 2005 and Michael & Tatiana: King of My Heart in 2012.(Photo: MJJ Productions)

Lisa Marie Presley and Michael Jackson in "You Are Not Alone" - Michael Jackson used semi-nudity to make a statement about paparazzi back in 1995 with the video for "You Are Not Alone," featuring him and his then wife Lisa Marie Presley. It was almost as shocking as their marriage.(Photo: Courtesy of Epic Reords)

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Lisa Marie Presley - Lisa Marie Presley, the offspring of legendary rocker Elvis Presley, was already etched into history before she appeared in the video for “You Are Not Alone,” the Guinness World Record-holding track from her then-hubby’s HIStory album. Presley, who, naturally, also has a singing career, most recently embarked on tour in June 2012 but had to cancel dates in 2014 due to chronic back pain. She also made health headlines in 2014 for sharing her weight-loss battle.(Photo: Courtesy of Epic Reords)

Kishaya Dudley - Dancer, actress and choreographer Kishaya Dudley appeared as the leading lady in MJ’s later work, namely, “You Rock My World” in 2001. She played the object of Jackson’s affection, and the appearance with the King of Pop opened doors for Dudley to choreograph more gigs, including the award-winning dance moves in Gwen Stefani’s 2005 video for “Hollaback Girl.” To this day Dudley is still designing dance moves for the entertainment industry and in commercials for Coca-Cola, Old Navy and more.(Photo: MJJ Productions)

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Kishaya Dudley - Dancer, actress and choreographer Kishaya Dudley appeared as the leading lady in MJ’s later work, namely, “You Rock My World” in 2001. She played the object of Jackson’s affection, and the appearance with the King of Pop opened doors for Dudley to choreograph more gigs, including the award-winning dance moves in Gwen Stefani’s 2005 video for “Hollaback Girl.” To this day Dudley is still designing dance moves for the entertainment industry and in commercials for Coca-Cola, Old Navy and more.(Photo: MJJ Productions)

La Toya Jackson - La Toya Jackson made a cameo in her brother’s Paul McCartney-assisted video, “Say, Say, Say.” No word yet on why his older sister was cast as a love interest, but MJ and Sir McCartney played the role of humorous bar singers with more costume changes than a Beyoncé concert in the video, while a glammed up La Toya starred as the one in the audience who caught Michael’s eye. She went on to make cameos in movies and on TV, and landed her own reality series, Life With La Toya, on the Oprah Winfrey Network in 2013.(Photo: Columbia Records, Parlophone)

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La Toya Jackson - La Toya Jackson made a cameo in her brother’s Paul McCartney-assisted video, “Say, Say, Say.” No word yet on why his older sister was cast as a love interest, but MJ and Sir McCartney played the role of humorous bar singers with more costume changes than a Beyoncé concert in the video, while a glammed up La Toya starred as the one in the audience who caught Michael’s eye. She went on to make cameos in movies and on TV, and landed her own reality series, Life With La Toya, on the Oprah Winfrey Network in 2013.(Photo: Columbia Records, Parlophone)