Michael Jackson was always serious about the choreography of his performances. He created numerous dance moves that captivated audiences worldwide, with his iconic “moonwalk” being among the most famous. Another notable move that his fans recall is the “anti-gravity tilt”, a seemingly impossible feat where he leaned at a 45-degree angle that defied the laws of gravity.Michael  Jackson debuted the anti-gravity tilt in 1988, during the music video for his song “Smoot Criminal”. Fans were left amazed by the performer’s dance skills, particularly when he appeared to lean forward at a 45-degree angle without any visible bending of his body. One theory that emerged was that Jackson was supported by cables during the performance.
Michael Jackson’s fans were even more astonished when he performed the gravity-defying move during one of his concerts, without any visible cables or supports nearby. The question remained: how did he manage to execute the move?The mystery of the anti-gravity tilt has finally been unraveled. Scientists took an interest in the seemingly impossible maneuver and discovered that  a regular bend involves only the upper body, activating only the muscles that straighten the spine. However, in Michael Jackson’s iconic move, all the tension is on the calves and tendons, making it possible for him to lean forward at such an extreme angle.

According to scientific calculations, it is impossible for anyone to execute the anti-gravity tilt without the aid of specially designed shoes. Even with the shoes and support, performing the maneuver requires rigorous athletic training and preparation.

To achieve this feat, Michael Jackson collaborated with his creative team to invent a mechanism that would fix him to the surface. The special shoes he used had thick heels with notches that could latch onto a fixture on the stage, allowing him to perform the tilt. This innovative design was patented by the pop icon in 1993.
Michael Jackson thrilled his fans with the anti-gravity tilt until 1996 when a mishap occurred during a performance in Russia. The singer attempted to execute the move again, but the mechanism that supported him broke, causing him to lose his grip on the stage and fall down.Following the concert in Russia, the shoes and fixture that broke during Michael Jackson’s performance were displayed at the Hard Rock Café in Moscow. They remained on display until the performer’s untimely death. Later, the shoes and fixture were put up for auction and were sold for a staggering 600 thousand dollars.