Singer Eric Benét is opening up about a shady “true Hollywood story” he experienced with the late Michael Jackson’s father, Joe Jackson.
Detailing the incident in a video to TikTok on Sunday, the “Spend My Life With You” singer went on to tell his followers about the time he was seated in front of the late musical father some time after he lost his famous son at an awards show.
Describing his initial excitement to be so close to him, Benét’s feelings quickly dissipated when he felt the elder Jackson lean up in his seat behind him and shadily say “Halle Berry” in his ear completely unprovoked. (For context, Berry and Benét were married for nearly five years from 2001-2005. They eventually divorced due to Benét’s infidelity.)
“The first thing I thought was ‘it’s pronounced Halle, not holly.’ And then the next thing I thought was ‘what the actual f is happening right now?’” And I didn’t know, I couldn’t tell obviously ‘cuz I don’t know Joe Jackson—does he think he’s being witty? Is he trying to introduce himself to me? Like, is that the icebreaker? Is he bonding with me on some suspected Hollywood villain type shit? I didn’t know,” Benét explained.
In attempt to brush past it and enjoy the rest of the award show, Benét said he turned around, acknowledged the elder Jackson and laughed it off. But when Jackson did it for a second time—it was then he knew he had to make a decision to shut down the taunting once and for all.
“Am I about to get into an altercation with the man who whooped little Michael Jackson’s ass? Is that what’s about to happen right here on this awards show?” Benét said, explaining how he felt like the famous father was trying to test him and see if he was going to punk out.
Thankfully, there was no physical or verbal altercation as the “Femininity” singer went on to share that he eventually (and politely) turned around to ask Jackson if he could stop doing that and he obliged.
Now I don’t know about you, but this sounds like a quintessential elder move akin to when one of your grandparents who doesn’t pay attention to the details of a famous celeb’s life just fires off the first random thing about them in an attempt to connect at the family dinner. It can be hilarious but also a bit annoying, especially when they can’t discern whether or not the comment is appropriate or comes across as shady. Regardless, it’s good to Benét didn’t let it get under his skin.