Digital footprints are very real, especially Beyoncé’s internet. That’s even true for Beyoncé herself, who returned to headlines this week for old footage from her younger years. This time, it showed Bey jumping on a call with Michael Jackson while in a rather compromising situation with an older executive.
Per All Hip-Hop, the footage was from a 2001 studio session where Bey and producer Marc Schaffel jumped on a phone call with Michael Jackson. However, what raised eyebrows is the fact that Beyoncé sat on Schaffel’s lap when she began speaking to Michael.
“Alright, here we go. Come on over here. Here you can do it. You want to make this easier, you can sit on my lap,” Schaffel said in the clip.
Beyonce was about 19 or 20 at the time the footage was filmed, which aired on Schaffel’s show from back in the day. TMZ surfaced the clip a few months ago, but it’s gained more traction in the past few days. In the clip, Schaffel calls MJ, saying, “Okay, we’re in the studio, and I have Beyoncé sitting on my lap, and I will put you on speakerphone.”
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Beyonce Speaks To Michael Jackson
Fans quickly noted how they felt it was inappropriate for an older executive to have Beyoncé sit on his lap so she could have a call with the King of Pop, who told her, “I really appreciate you doing this because we’re giving back.” The two were on pace to collaborate on an aid track for those who suffered from injuries in the 9/11 attacks.
Beyoncé also expresses how nervous she was at the time because she was speaking to Michael Jackson. After Schaffel notes how she's "shaking," she says, "Oh no, I’m gonna pass out.”
Marc Schaffel says the footage is part of a docu-series he’s shopping to various streamers. The scene with Beyoncé is featured in episode 3, which he told TMZ focuses on the recording of the benefit song.
