Archives for April 25th, 2004

Tanja Kovac: The biggest fan of Michael Jackson in Slovenia and possibly beyond.

Things may not be going well for Michael Jackson in California right now, but here in Slovenia he has the unwavering love and support of a fan named Tanja Kovac. The 23-year-old financial assistant from Ljubljana runs MJSlo.com, a Slovenian portal dedicated to the king of pop. Recently, Tanja was kind enough to talk with The Glory of Carniola. Here’s what she had to say about being a Michael Jackson fan, her collection of Jackson stuff, and the charges against him.

The Glory of Carniola: When was the first time you heard a Michael Jackson song, and how did you react?

Tanja Kovac: The first time I heard a Michael Jackson song was way back in 1987. It was the time when Michael was on his world tour for BAD. I was just 7 years old and I only knew Michael by the way he looks. When I first became his fan I didn’t even know that he was a singer. I just came into my sister’s room and saw a poster of him on the wall and my eyes immediately turned to him. I remember asking my sister who this man was and my mouth was just wide open. I just couldn’t believe that one man could look so beautiful. A week after that I heard the whole BAD album when my sister brought it home so I could hear it. I guess my very first song by Michael was BAD since that’s the first song on the album. When I heard it I fell in love with him even more. He just has it all: the looks, the voice and such a wonderful character. I remember being very much in shock over his whole image and music.

TGoC: What’s in your current Michael Jackson collection?

Tanja: I have a large collection of Michael Jackson memorabilia. There are so many MJ things that people don’t even know exist. I have all of his albums, singles, vinyls, picture discs, special edition discs, his rare mixes and tapes, Jackson 5 and The Jacksons albums… all about his music. Then I have so many of his books, magazines (from all over the world), song books, calendars, notebooks, PVC bags with MJ on it, puzzles, MJ perfumes, sculptures, badges, stickers, over 1500 of his original photos, over 100 videocasettes of rare footage of Michael Jackson, pillows, posters, promotional posters, tour books, flags, caps, Mystery drink cans, MJ dolls (which sing the Black or White song), T-shirts, Billie Jean glove, hats (one of them was touched by Michael himself), DVD’s, concert tickets, original History tour bag,… My most special items are two Michael Jackson autographs that I got when I went to see Michael live (Berlin and London). I made a tattoo on my right arm of one of the autographs.

A tattoo of Michael Jackson’s signature adorns Tanja’s right arm.

TGoC: Tell me about the tatoo. Do you have any more — or are you planning on more?

Tanja: I always wanted to have a MJ tattoo and this dream came true for me just two days after I met Michael in Harrods, London. It was in June 2002. First I wanted to make a tattoo of Michael’s face but since I didn’t have enough money to do that, I decided it would be best to make a tattoo of a MJ autograph that my boyfriend got from Michael personally just a few days before. Everyone who saw it till this day has said it looks amazing, I’ve never heard anyone say anything bad about it. Yes, I plan to do more of them. I want a tattoo of Michael’s face and I believe I will get it done soon.

TGoC: Does your boyfriend ever get jealous of your love for Michael Jackson?

Tanja: No. My boyfriend never gets jealous of my GIGANTIC love for Michael. He was even with me when I got the chance to meet Michael and didn’t mind that I kissed Michael’s hand. My boyfriend is a Michael Jackson fan as well.

TGoC: Is it difficult, as a fan, to watch what’s happening to MJ now? How do you know he is innocent? And what would you say to people who already think he’s guilty?

Tanja: Yes it is so painful to see what is happening to him now. I cannot believe that people can be so mean and cruel to make such an injustice against him just because of money. It breaks my heart to see him in pain and I want this injustice to end very soon. I organised a vigil – support event here in Ljubljana to show all Slovenian people that Michael is being framed. Fans came from all over Slovenia and even Croatia and Bosnia and together we talked to people about the truth of these allegations. We spread leaflets with information and gave Michael all our support. Everyone had a banner with them saying: »Michael is INNOCENT« and some MJ items like hats, gloves, T-shirts, posters; I made a web page called MJSlo.com where I inform people about all the news that is happening with Michael Jackson now. I translate the news from English to Slovenian so people can get the right information. I was sick and tired of reading false stories about Michael in our newspapers and that’s why I decided to do MJSlo.com.

You ask me how I know that Michael is innocent? I have been a Michael Jackson fan for 17 years already and through the years I have lived and breathed Michael Jackson. I got to know him through his interviews, shows, rare footage that I have of him, private recordings, I got to meet him live six times and talk to him, and through all these years I have seen whatta man he is. He has a great heart and a brilliant mind and I tell you there is NO WAY Michael ever did what they accuse him of. Everyone who knows Michael personally says the same. That’s just not in Michael’s heart, he could not even think of that. It’s people with sick minds that think like that. He is totally Innocent of any wrong doing.

To the people who already think he’s guilty I would like to quote Michael’s saying »Don’t judge a man until you have walked in his moccasins for two weeks.« Get the right information about these allegations, please visit MJSlo.com and read the truth about Michael Jackson and his life! If that’s still not enough for you wait and hear the truth in court. Lies run sprints, truth runs marathons. The truth will win this marathon!!!

Facts about Tanja

Place of birth: Ljubljana
Age: 23
Occupation: Financial assistant
Favorite MJ song: All of them, I could never decide, I love all MJ songs equally.
Hobbies: Being a Michael Jackson fan: listening to his music, collecting his items and enjoying my life by travelling to see him live.
Hopes for the future: That Michael Jackson would have a great life and that people would stop accusing him of false allegations. I wish him all the best in this world, lots of health, happiness and creativity. I hope the press would back off once and for all and would give him some credit for what he has done for this world.