That Time He Defied Gravity
In 1987, Michael Jackson performed his gravity-defying 45-degree forward tilt during his video for “Smooth Criminal,” alongside four of his backup dancers. An awe-inspiring performance had both his fans and critics scratching their heads as to how Jackson was able to execute the maneuver without falling flat on his face. Jackson then performed the move live on stage during his 1988 BAD world tour.
Since his passing, the details of his mystical trick were released. In 1992, a patent was filed to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for a “system for allowing a shoe wearer to lean forwardly beyond his center of gravity by virtue of wearing a specially designed pair of shoes which will engage with a hitch member movably projectable through a stage surface.” Jackson is listed as one of the inventors.
Even with the future-forward technology, the “anti-gravity lean” is not easily accomplished and would take a dancer of Michael’s caliber to actualize.
