Stephanie Mills had plenty to say when she sat down with Shannon Sharpe on Club Shay Shay. The Grammy winner and Broadway legend looked back on her friendship with Michael Jackson, spoke about how Whitney Houston was treated in the media, and explained why Prince’s fight for ownership still matters to artists today.

Some of the most personal moments came when Mills talked about Jackson. She remembered meeting him through The Wiz, cooking for him and braiding his hair. The conversation took a heavier turn when Mills shared her belief that Jackson was murdered, questioning why he was given propofol and then left alone. The Los Angeles County coroner ruled Jackson’s 2009 death a homicide caused by acute propofol intoxication, with other sedatives contributing. In 2011, a jury convicted his doctor, Conrad Murray, of involuntary manslaughter.

Mills also took issue with Oprah Winfrey’s treatment of Whitney Houston and Jackson, using the conversation to explain why she feels so strongly about defending fellow Black entertainers. When the subject turned to Prince, she praised him for challenging Warner Bros. over ownership and creative control. That conversation hit close to home for Mills, who also discussed streaming, artist ownership and why she’s chosen to stay independent.

The stories about Jackson give the interview its most personal moments. The conversation about Prince brings it back to a question that still matters every time an artist signs a deal. Who gets to decide what happens to the music once it’s made? Hit the like and subscribe button to stay connected to us for more content.

CC: SD X CLUB SHAY SHAY

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