Back in the early ’80s, Todd Bridges had a major crush on Janet Jackson—and he wasn’t shy about it. While chatting on The Patrick Labyorteaux Show, Bridges revealed how he insisted on Janet being cast as his character Willis’ girlfriend on Diff’rent Strokes.
Bridges said, “I was like, ‘That girl is gorgeous. I gotta get her phone number.’ She was really shy, but I got it, and we talked all the time.” When it came time to cast Willis’ girlfriend, he told producers, “Hire her, or I’m quitting.” They did, and Janet played Charlene DuPrey in 10 episodes from 1980 to 1984.
Off-screen, the two briefly dated. Bridges fondly remembers Janet as “the greatest person ever” and said they had a lot of fun together. But dating Janet wasn’t all easy: “I had to meet all her brothers, and that wasn’t fun for a 16-year-old boy. You gotta meet the brothers, and they’re all giving you the eye.”
The toughest meeting was with Michael Jackson during the Thriller era. Bridges recounted visiting the Havenhurst house the Jacksons were rebuilding. “Michael comes driving in and power slides around the car,” he said. “He jumps out and starts singing, ‘Because this is thriller’ inside. I’m like, ‘What is he doing?’”
Bridges also took a wild ride with Michael: “Driving with Michael was scary. The whole time in the car, I’m like, ‘Please don’t kill me.’ He drove wild.”
Despite Michael’s stage persona, Bridges described him as “just a normal person” off-stage, adding, “He was probably the most talented person I ever met in my life.”
It was a glimpse into the early days of the Jackson family’s rise and a fun chapter in Bridges’ own career that fans still remember fondly.
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Mr Bridges,
I am so proud of you. Continue to help people. You are a hero, a TRUE hero Bless you.