Michael Jackson’s First Girlfriend Speaks Out: Stephanie Mills In Her Own Words

Michael Jackson remains one of the most enigmatic and beloved figures in music history. His extraordinary talent, complicated life, and tragic passing have been chronicled and examined in countless ways. However, less is widely known about his early years, particularly the relationships that shaped him before superstardom. One woman who can offer unique insight is Stephanie Mills—renowned singer, actress, and performer—who dated Michael Jackson in their teenage years. Stephanie Mills has recently spoken out, sharing her candid memories of her relationship with the King of Pop. Here’s what she revealed, in her own words.

A Meeting of Young Stars

Stephanie Mills and Michael Jackson met as teenagers in the early 1970s, a time when both were rising stars on their own paths. Mills, starring as Dorothy in Broadway’s hit musical The Wiz, was already enjoying the limelight. Meanwhile, Michael Jackson was skyrocketing to fame as the beloved frontman of The Jackson 5.

In recent interviews and on her social media platforms, Mills has affectionately recalled, “Michael and I were both kids in a world of adults. We were each other’s support system.” Their connection was instantaneous, blossoming during a period when both were discovering the intense pressures and thrills of show business. As Mills describes, “We understood each other, and I think that’s why we got so close. Most people could never understand what it was like for us, but we just knew.”

Innocent Beginnings

Stephanie Mills has always been careful to frame her relationship with Michael as one marked by innocence. She has noted, “It was puppy love, really. We were never in love like adults. It was about spending time together, giggling, and encouraging each other’s dreams.”

Mills goes on to describe how their dates were often supervised by their parents or guardians. “We couldn’t really go anywhere alone. Our families were protective of us. So, our dates were either at the theater or at their hotel, always with someone nearby. But that didn’t matter to us. What mattered was that we had found someone who truly understood what we were going through.”

The two young talents would share phone calls late at night, confiding in each other about anxieties and aspirations. Mills has said, “Michael was shy, but with me, he opened up. We talked about everything—music, dreams, how strange fame felt. He was so gentle and so funny. That’s how I remember him: as a boy who wanted to be loved for who he really was.”

Supporting Each Other’s Dreams

Stephanie Mills has always credited Michael with being one of her earliest cheerleaders outside her family. “He was always telling me how talented I was, how I was going to be a star. But the thing is, that’s what I saw in him, too. We were both dreamers, and we encouraged each other’s dreams.”

During her debut in The Wiz, Michael was present at several performances and rehearsals, offering encouragement. “He’d send flowers to my dressing room, or just pop in and give me a hug before a show. That meant everything to me at the time.” Mills, in turn, would attend Jackson 5 performances, watching Michael mesmerize audiences with his already-legendary charisma.

She reflects, “We bonded over the fact that so much of our lives wasn’t normal. Our friendship helped keep us grounded, even as everyone around us was treating us like little adults rather than kids.”

The Turning Point

As the years passed, both Mills and Jackson’s careers soared, carving out different paths. Michael, in particular, was catapulted into the spotlight as Motown’s prodigy, while Mills continued to earn acclaim in theater and music. The demands of their professional lives naturally took a toll on their close relationship.

“It wasn’t a breakup in the dramatic sense,” Mills clarifies. “We just got busy. You grow, people’s lives go in different directions, especially when you’re that young in the industry. But the love and respect always stayed. And we always supported each other’s successes from afar.”

For Mills, the friendship and affection between them remained untouched by time or distance. “We may not have ended up together, but I believe we helped each other through a really difficult, confusing chapter of our lives.”

Defending Michael’s Legacy

Stephanie Mills has also been vocal in defending Michael Jackson’s legacy, particularly against the accusations and tabloid controversies that have surfaced over the years. “The Michael I knew was kind, sweet, and incredibly talented. He was a beautiful soul,” she insists.

Mills often stresses the challenges that both she and Jackson faced growing up in the relentless glare of the public eye. “People forget he never really had a childhood. We both lost pieces of our youth to fame, but Michael’s experiences were even more intense. I know how lonely it could get. That’s why I’ll always defend him.”

She has spoken out on various platforms, asking the public to remember Jackson for his artistry and the gentle person she knew. “I’ll always honor his memory,” Mills says. “He changed music, he changed dance, and he never stopped trying to give love and joy to the world.”

Lasting Memories

Decades after their youthful romance, Stephanie Mills speaks about Michael Jackson with a mix of nostalgia and gratitude. “I cherish those memories. We were each other’s first real friends—and maybe even first loves—in show business. That’s something I will never forget.”

She continues, “Michael taught me the importance of staying true to who you are, even in a world that tries to shape you into something else. He taught me not to lose my sense of wonder, to always dream.”

While both have followed their own paths to musical and personal fulfillment, Mills feels a continued sense of connection to Jackson’s spirit. “Whenever I hear his songs or see his smile in old photos, I remember those youthful days, two dreamers cheering each other on. That’s the Michael I knew, and that’s how I choose to remember him.”