A new claim has been making the rounds that Michael Jackson earned the nickname “Smelly” because he refused to change his clothes for fear they might be stolen by fans. This story, has been shared in a recently published book by Lionel Ritchie.
The real origin of the nickname comes from Michael’s time working closely with legendary producer Quincy Jones. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter back in April 2015, Jones explained exactly where “Smelly” came from.
During a talk at Loyola Marymount University’s School of Film & TV on April 8, 2015, Quincy said:
“I used to call Michael ‘Smelly,’ because he wouldn’t say ‘funky.’ He’d say ‘smelly jelly.’ So when people asked who was in the studio, I’d say, ‘Smelly, Worms, and Mouse.’”
The “funky” Michael was referring to wasn’t about odor, it was about groove, rhythm, and soul — the kind of energy that defined his music.
This affectionate nickname became an inside joke between Michael and his collaborators during the Off the Wall and Thriller sessions, showing his playful personality and creative spirit in the studio.
