Micheal Jackson was still popular but I think it's safe to say his mainstream appeal in America was damaged. You would never see Micheal Jackson doing something like the Super Bowl half-time show like he once did, once everyone pretty much asumed he was a pedophile. When is the last time he had a big hit? People were intrested in him but saw him as a sideshow freak. Madonna was still putting out hits into the late 90's. For all the scandals she has had I don't think they really hurt her like Jackson's did. Only reason she isn't quite as big as she once was nowdays is because she got old. Also she moved to Britian and thinks she is British. I think people were more turned off by that, than any of the sex scandals and religion thing has been around since the 80's so I don't think that really had much of a impact on her popularity. The only people she pissed off is people who porably would have hated her anyways.
Jason
Jason
Sorry but I disagree.
MJ doesn't have to make music to be popular. He changed music so regardless of whether or not he made new music or not, he would still be famous. He did enough musically that it didn't matter how much music he made, he was still going to be an icon.
His last album was in 2001. Sure, it's been a while, but it's not like he hasn't done anything musically this decade.
Um, when was the last time Madonna did a Superbowl show? Granted, I don't watch it every year but I don't recall her performing and, regardless, performing at the Superbowl means nothing. They've had tons of garbage bands/artists perform over the years. It doesn't make you "good" if you appear during a Superbowl game and if they had asked Jackson, or if he had asked to appear, there is no doubt in my mind they would allow him to perform and the place would go crazy.
Jackson wasn't hurt badly. Who cares if he released fewer albums than Madonna? That doesn't mean his career was hurt by scandal. He just didn't have material at the time. Bad argument.
No matter what MJ did, he was always in the public eye, from his skin disease to his famous mugshot. He doesn't have to make music all the time to be a huge star. He already solidified his status ages ago. His career spanned over 45 years. I'd hardly say he was ever hurt by anything he did.
Madonna is just as popular as she was in the 80's and her change in music styles has gotten her a lot of new fans. She keeps up with the times and makes music that is popular. Saying she is "old" is stupid. How many women her age are that fit? Not many. Her age means nothing. It's about the music.
Look at Johnny Cash and tell me age has something to do with being popular or not. He was old and still putting out hits. If you seriously disregard someone as being good because they are old, you are not a music fan.