Secret Behind Michael Jackson's Gravity-Defying Lean In 'Smooth Criminal' Revealed

This Is How Michael Jackson Pulled Off That Epic Smooth Criminal Lean

We've been hit by, we've been struck by, a smooth...invention.

Turns out, Michael Jackson's gravity-defying lean for his hit song 'Smooth Criminal,' was down to a cleverly designed piece of footwear.

The one-off shoe allowed the King of Pop to pull off a flawless 45-degree lean using a screw that anchored his heel to the stage.

The shoe was patented under the title "Method And Means For Creating Anti-Gravity Illusion," and for years, it managed to wow audiences across the world.

MJ's famous lean had many speculating about the use of wires during his live shows.

According to reports however, it was this magic heel with an extending slot that helped Jackson

In 1992, the invention was patented under the names: Michael Jackson, Michael L. Bush, Dennis Tompkins.

Within the patent description, there is a rather simple explanation, which states that all the wearer had to do was slide his foot forward for the shoe to connect with the stage.

"The shoes have a specially designed heel slot which can be detachably engaged with the hitch member by simply sliding the shoe wearer's foot forward, thereby engaging with the hitch member," the patent states.

Following Jackson's death in 2009, the shoe was auctioned for $600,000 (£392,000) but the memory of that lean will forever be, a priceless one.

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