In the history of pop music, few names shine brighter than Michael Jackson and Prince. Both revolutionized the industry, redefined what it meant to be an artist, and inspired millions around the globe. They were geniuses in their own right—different in style, attitude, and approach to fame—but destined to be compared for generations.

For fans, it was the ultimate “what if” question: What if Michael and Prince had truly collaborated? What if these two icons had united not just on stage, but in the studio?

As it turns out, they almost did—but the story behind why it never happened is as fascinating as it is frustrating.

The Night of “We Are The World”

In 1985, “We Are The World” brought together the biggest stars of the decade to raise money for famine relief in Africa. Written by Lionel Richie and Michael Jackson, the song was meant to be a show of unity and purpose—an iconic moment where the music industry stood as one.

Everyone was there. Bob Dylan, Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen, Diana Ross, and Ray Charles. A who’s who of the time. But one name was notably missing: Prince.

Years later, on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Lionel Richie told the real story. He had personally reached out to Prince multiple times that night, trying to convince him to join. “He was at Carlos and Charlie’s,” Richie said, referencing the restaurant Prince was dining at. “I called and said, ‘We need you down here.’”

Prince agreed—sort of. He wanted to record his part in a separate room, away from the rest of the artists. “That’s not how it worked,” Richie explained. Everyone was recording together, in the same studio, sharing lines and standing side by side. And then Lionel made what he called a “mistake.” He told Prince: “I’ll put you right next to Michael.”

And just like that, the deal was off.

“Done,” Richie said. “He didn’t want to be next to Michael. Actually, he didn’t want to be next to any of us.”

In the end, Prince offered to contribute a guitar solo, but that didn’t fit the vision either. His spot was quietly filled—ironically—by La Toya Jackson.

The “Bad” That Never Happened

If “We Are The World” was the first missed opportunity, “Bad” was the second—and maybe the most infamous.

Originally conceived as a duet between Michael and Prince, “Bad” was supposed to be a showdown: two of the most electrifying performers trading vocals and choreography. Michael had Quincy Jones producing, and the whole thing was meant to be a cultural event.

Prince backed out before it could even begin.

In a later interview, Prince explained why. He referenced the opening line of the song: “Your butt is mine.”

“I said, ‘Who’s gonna sing that to who?’” Prince laughed. “Because he sure ain’t singing it to me, and I sure ain’t singing it to him. So, right there, we got a problem.”

It wasn’t about ego—it was about control. Prince was fiercely independent, famously guarded about his work and his image. The idea of sharing the spotlight, especially on someone else’s terms, didn’t sit well with him.

Was It Rivalry or Respect?

While the media often painted them as rivals, the truth is more complicated. Prince and Michael were very aware of each other—sometimes poking fun, sometimes offering subtle nods of admiration, and sometimes just keeping their distance.

In an interview, Prince once said: “Michael’s not a fighter, he’s a lover.” It was his way of brushing off comparisons. But he also urged people to be patient and kind toward Michael, saying, “Let’s wait and see. Let’s just make a home for everybody.” It was a rare moment of public vulnerability, a sign that despite the myths, there was mutual understanding.

The two did encounter each other from time to time. According to Will.i.am, he once invited both to a Black Eyed Peas show in Las Vegas. Michael couldn’t make it because he was busy putting his kids to bed, but said he might stop by later. That night, during a Prince performance, something amazing happened.

“Prince walked off stage through the crowd, playing the bass,” Will.i.am recalled. “People were tugging on him, screaming, and he made his way to where me, Chris Tucker, and Michael Jackson were sitting. He ripped the bass in half, like, the killerest solo in the world.”

Later that night, Will.i.am went to Michael’s house for breakfast. Michael opened the door and said, “Why was Prince playing the bass on my face?”

Was it an act of showmanship? A jab? A peace offering? Maybe a bit of all three.

Chris Tucker and the Prince Encounter

Comedian Chris Tucker, a friend of Michael’s, shared another unforgettable story. He once attended a Prince concert in Vegas with Michael. When Prince noticed Michael in the crowd, things got awkward—fast.

“Prince came over, bent down and asked, ‘What are you doing here? Trynna steal my moves, huh?’” Tucker joked.

Michael, ever soft-spoken, told Chris to stop exaggerating. “Chris, stop it. He did not say that.” But the tension was there—real or imagined, it was part of the dynamic.

The Legacy of a Near-Collision

In the end, Prince and Michael Jackson never recorded a song together. They never co-headlined a tour. They never shared a Super Bowl halftime show, or even stood together long enough for a proper photograph.

But maybe that’s part of what makes their relationship so legendary. They were too big to fit in the same room, and too unique to be compared fairly.

Prince was the virtuoso, the genre-bending musician who could play 27 instruments and switch from funk to rock to soul in the same song. Michael was the visionary, the master of spectacle, dance, and pop perfection. They were two galaxies, orbiting the same universe, rarely colliding—but always aware of each other’s presence.

And maybe, just maybe, that tension gave us some of their best work. Because even if they weren’t singing together, they were competing silently, pushing boundaries, and inspiring each other in ways we’ll never fully understand.

Final Thought:
What we got instead of a Prince-Michael duet was a musical era filled with unmatched brilliance. Their lack of collaboration only fuels the myth. And in some strange way, the rivalry that never turned hostile is what kept both stars shining even brighter.