Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, often referred to Tatum O’Neal, the Oscar-winning child actress, as his first girlfriend. Their relationship, although not widely known in great detail during their youth, was filled with emotional highs and a few heartbreaking moments that would forever mark both their lives.

Tatum, five years younger than Michael, grew up immersed in the wild world of Hollywood. By the time they met—Michael was around 18, and she just 13—she had already experienced things far beyond her years. Michael, by contrast, was still innocent and shy, despite being a global sensation with the Jackson 5 and entering his solo career phase, just before Off the Wall.

They talked frequently on the phone, as Michael was often on the road. According to Tatum, the relationship was “on and off” for a few years. They were young, navigating fame, and trying to form a connection in private, far from the eyes of the public and the media. Tatum even took Michael to parties at Hugh Hefner’s mansion and out to Studio 54—events that shocked Michael and opened his eyes to a world he’d been largely sheltered from.

Their final date was memorable for all the wrong reasons. Wanting to attend a Commodores concert together without being recognized, Michael went in disguise—dark makeup, fake beard, wig. It was one of their attempts to enjoy a normal night out, which sadly became their last shared moment.

A pivotal, painful moment came when Tatum was invited by Michael to The Wiz premiere. She was excited to go, but her agent at the time, Sue Mengers, discouraged it with harsh words. Tatum listened. Michael never forgave her for that, and according to Tatum, their bond was never the same. It was a heartbreak they both carried. Years later, Tatum said Sue tried to mend the situation, but it was too late.

Michael, in a later interview, recalled how much he loved Tatum. He remembered being shy and nervous about physical intimacy. In a vulnerable moment, he described going to her house where she tried to initiate intimacy, but he couldn’t go through with it. “I was scared to death,” he said. “I’d never done anything like that.” The moment passed, and their relationship never moved forward physically. Michael often said he wanted to know what a real relationship was like before he died.

Tatum confirmed they kissed and shared a connection, but she emphasized it was not a sexual relationship. She always felt a deep love for him, even when things went wrong. “He got very mad at me about The Wiz, but I loved him and always will,” she said. “We had a connection.”

After Michael’s death, Tatum said she received a spiritual message from him through a medium, referencing the Wiz tickets—a sign, perhaps, that he had made peace.

Tatum also reflected on the media frenzy surrounding Michael, especially after the Leaving Neverland documentary. While she admitted the allegations were hard to hear, she acknowledged that Hollywood is full of hidden horrors that are only now beginning to surface. She didn’t claim to know the truth, but expressed compassion for everyone involved.

Their story is one of youthful hope, Hollywood chaos, and a longing for genuine connection. In Michael’s words, Tatum was his first love. For Tatum, he was a sensitive soul who was never quite ready for the world that consumed them both.