Michael Jackson performs 'Billie Jean' on the Motown 25 television show - on May 16, 1983

On May 16, 1983, Michael Jackson performed "Billie Jean" on the television special "Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever", celebrating the 25th anniversary of Motown Records.

Photo image Huete Sandra

The most memorable point is: 

This was the first time he performed the Moonwalk in public. 

This performance was recorded at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, California, and aired on NBC. 

The iconic outfit consisted of a black sequined jacket, crystal-studded white gloves, black pants, and white socks. 

This performance made Michael Jackson a "global cultural phenomenon", marking a turning point in his solo career. 

Okay, I will summarize the "Billie Jean" performance at Motown 25 in almost second-by-second order, so you can see how Michael Jackson "led" the audience to the legendary "Moonwalk".

 Step by step development

0:00 – 0:08

The stage lights dim, the "intro drumbeat" of "Billie Jean" sounds. The audience starts cheering. Michael appears from the darkness, wearing a black fedora, a black sequin blazer, and sparkling white gloves, walking slowly but confidently to the center of the stage.

0:09 – 0:20

He bows slightly, holding still for a few seconds to create anticipation. Saying nothing, just a vague smile. The bass and snare continue to beat.

0:21 – 0:35 Michael starts to "tap his feet" and tap his hands to the beat. He turns slightly left and right, as if "talking" to the audience with his eyes.

0:36 – 0:50

While singing the first line "She was more like a beauty queen from a movie scene", Michael makes a few light turns, his left hand continuously pressing the beat, his right hand holding the microphone. 

0:51 – 1:15

Starts dancing with shoulders and hips, incorporating a few forward kicks. The movements are still restrained, giving the impression of a “repressed explosion”. 

1:16 – 1:40

Michael moves back and forth across the stage with cross-steps and light spins, keeping his voice full of emphasis. The audience starts cheering as he turns. 

1:41 – 2:10

The music intensifies, he starts “spinning faster”, stopping abruptly in an anti-gravity lean mini, then continuing with the *side slide*. 

2:11 – 2:30

The music transitions to the chorus, Michael “jerks his shoulders harder”, eyes looking straight into the camera, holding his fedora. He incorporates a few heel kicks and 180-degree turns. 

 2:31 – 2:45

The atmosphere in the room has heated up. Michael starts to move to the center of the stage, holding the pose for a few seconds – this is the moment when the audience doesn’t know what he’s going to do next.

2:46 – 2:50

The Moonwalk makes its first appearance on TV – Michael moves backwards but still looks like he’s sliding forward. The audience explodes with screams.

2:51 – 3:05

He continues the Moonwalk a few steps and then spins 360°, ending with a standing position, hat slightly bowed, one hand holding the microphone, the other raised.

3:06 – 3:20

Michael sings the final verse, alternating between a few heel kicks and a toe stand, balancing on his toes for a few seconds – the audience screams again.

 3:21 – 3:35

The song ends with a quick spin, Michael stands still for a few seconds before removing his hat and bowing. The lights go out.

🔥 Key Point:

Michael “leads the audience with restraint” – keeping the choreography simple, focusing on presence until the Moonwalk.

The Moonwalk only lasts “4 seconds”, but thanks to the way he “kept the beat” before it, it becomes a moment that shocks the world.