Michael Jackson Becomes Wikipedia’s Most-Viewed Person in October 2023

Michael Jackson has surged ahead of everyone else on Wikipedia in terms of traffic. Recent pageview data reveals that the King of Pop’s biography page amassed over 6 million views, making him the most-viewed person on the platform for the month. Seventeen years after his passing, these numbers indicate that his cultural impact is not diminishing but rather growing.

This increase in views coincides with the release of ‘Michael,’ the long-awaited biopic directed by Antoine Fuqua that premiered in April. The film’s trailer alone garnered 30 million views within its first six hours and exceeded 116 million views in just 24 hours, surpassing all previous Lionsgate releases and setting records for musical biopics and concert films.

Upon its theatrical release, ‘Michael’ continued to perform impressively, grossing $937.6 million worldwide. This achievement makes it the second highest-grossing film of the year, the top-performing biographical film ever, and the biggest release in Lionsgate’s history. A sequel that will explore the later stages of Jackson’s life and career has already been announced.

At the same time, Jackson’s music catalog is experiencing a revival. ‘Billie Jean’ reached number one on the Billboard Global 200 during the week of May 23, marking Jackson as the first artist to top the chart posthumously, even before its inception. Additionally, the track became the first song from a deceased artist to reach number one on Spotify’s global daily chart.

Streaming statistics reflect a similar trend. Netflix’s docuseries ‘Michael Jackson: The Verdict,’ which revisits his 2005 criminal trial, debuted in early June and attracted 17.8 million viewers within its first five days, ranking number one in 61 countries. With success across box office, music charts, and streaming platforms, Jackson is currently a dominant force in pop culture.

However, not everyone believes the attention is warranted. ‘Michael’ received mostly negative reviews from critics, who acknowledged Jaafar Jackson’s performance but criticized the script for being overly sanitized. The film notably concludes its narrative before addressing the 1993 abuse allegations, a choice that has been scrutinized further this year following new claims from the Cascio family, who had previously defended Jackson.

Regardless of differing opinions, the traffic statistics are undeniable. Jackson’s Wikipedia page surpassing every other celebrity, living or deceased, for an entire month highlights the public’s ongoing interest in his story, encompassing both the music that established his legacy and the controversies that continue to surround him.

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