“Untouchable.”
That is the word that comes to Assistant Principal Irma Muñoz’s mind when she thinks of Michael Jackson.
Muñoz has been an avid fan since she was little. The daughter of Mexican immigrants, Muñoz can still remember the moment she became fascinated with Michael Jackson. Her father worked at Disneyland in the executive cafes and came home one day with the news that he had served Michael Jackson.
“To this day that whole interaction and how my dad met Michael Jackson is kind of one of those tales we talk about in my family,” Muñoz said. “So I would say that solidified my fascination with Michael.”
Muñoz’s sister Cristina Muñoz-Brown is also a fan.
“I think it’s by proxy. When you grow up with your big sister being a fan, you almost are automatically a fan as well,” Muñoz-Brown said.
Muñoz-Brown said that Jackson’s legacy and music is something that had bonded the sisters.
Muñoz saw him in concert twice, the first was at his 30th anniversary show in Madison Square Garden in New York City.
“It was really exciting because it was our first time in New York City and we were going to see Michael Jackson. It was just such a plus. So we were filled with excitement,” Muñoz-Brown said.
Muñoz said that since she was part of the fan club she had access to good tickets, so she took her sister and two girlfriends to the concert, which took place on Sept. 10, 2001, the day before the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center.
“It’s interesting because I have two different sets of memories,” Muñoz said, “First the concert where they were serving champagne and strawberries and all around me, were all these famous people; Diana Ross, all the Jacksons, Busta Rhymes and then the next day, the world changes.”
The second time was for Dick Clark’s anniversary show with Cher and Michael Jackson in Pasadena. Muñoz was in the sixth row and said that the show was more personal and really incredible.
“It was really so amazing to watch him,” Muñoz said, “I mean, such a perfectionist. And that’s what I admire about him.”
Muñoz-Brown said that what she thinks her sister admires most is how much of an individual Jackson was.
Irma Muñoz attended a Michael Jackson concert in New York City the day before 9/11
“When you hear an interview with other artists now, like Beyonce, they refer to him and striving to be the best and surpass and that’s something I want for myself,” Muñoz said.
Muñoz was set to go to London to see him on his “This Is It” tour where he was set to do 50 straight shows at the O2 arena in the summer of 2009. This tour never got to happen because Michael Jackson died on June 25, 2009.
“The weekend he passed, it really affected me.” Muñoz said.
That weekend Muñoz went to Los Angeles to be part of his services.
Muñoz said that people who know her have associated him with her and that weekend she got many calls of condolences and sympathy.
Muñoz and her sister still went to London after he died where there was a memorial at the O2 arena.
“Could you imagine that concert? OMG I feel so jipped,” Muñoz said.
Nevertheless Muñoz continues to keep his memory and legacy alive by filling her house with memorabilia. She has her original tickets from the London show, the tickets from the 2001 show, a picture of him with an original signature along with other memorabilia.
Muñoz said that her favorite memory of Michael is with her sister after the Dick Clark show. When they were leaving they saw a limo with a hand waving out and knew it was Michael.
“So here we are in the middle of the street and my sisters running in the middle of the street and all of the sudden all kinds of people are running in the street trying to touch him,” Muñoz said.“It’s one of those moments you see on TV with masses of people trying to get to Michael, that was that moment.”
Muñoz admiration for Jackson is deeper than just loving his music or his persona.
“I don’t know if he was sick or if he did all those bad things, and I don’t want to minimize all those things, but for me I focus on what it is that I admire about him, I admire his work ethic, I admire his career, and this link with my dad and later on with my experience in 9/11, those are the experiences I have with him.”
Muñoz Brown said that she thinks her sister’s love for Michael Jackson is because he was such an innovator.
“It’s also nostalgia” Muñoz-Brown said, “It reminds you of when you were young, it takes you back to a simpler time.”
Muñoz acknowledged that to some, her fandom may seem odd. But what many don’t understand is that her being a fanatic is more than just Thriller or the moonwalk.
“There are a lot of moments in my life that I associate with him, like 9/11 or my father working here.” Muñoz said.
Muñoz’s parents are immigrants and she said that they came to the United States to give her a better opportunity.
“Yeah, he was serving food, but he was serving food to Michael Jackson and other really important people. So I have a lot of emotional connection to my fascination.” Muñoz said.
At Piedmont, Muñoz has shared her admiration with some other faculty members like Mr. Bell.
“I wasn’t surprised because I know a lot of people who love and adore MJ, especially now that he’s gone,” Bell said.
SOURCE: TPH News
