BEHIND THE RED JACKET The Girl From Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ Finally Speaks… Says MJ Gave Her 1 Of The Happiest Times She’s Ever Experienced!

More than four decades after Michael Jackson’s Thriller redefined the music video as an art form, its leading lady, Ola Ray, is looking back on the experience that changed her life forever.

In a recent interview, the actress and model reminisced about the whirlwind days of 1983, when she found herself starring opposite the King of Pop in what would become one of the most iconic short films in music history. “Michael had so much joy, peace, and fun in his life back then,” Ray said, her voice filled with nostalgia. “It was one of the happiest times I’ve ever experienced.”

For Ray, landing the role of Jackson’s on-screen girlfriend felt like a dream. Already an established model and former Playboy Playmate, she was chosen from a sea of hopefuls to play the fresh-faced love interest who screams and runs beside Jackson as he transforms into a werewolf—and later, a zombie—in the groundbreaking video directed by John Landis.

But what truly stands out in her memory isn’t just the historic production—it’s Jackson himself.

“Michael had a limo sent to pick me up,” Ray recalled. “He wanted to make sure I was comfortable and taken care of. That was just who he was—so kind, so thoughtful.”

During rehearsals, Jackson made sure Ray had a front-row seat as he perfected his legendary dance moves. “I watched him work with the choreographers and the dancers, and I was in awe,” she said. “He was laser-focused, but he still found time to laugh and joke with everyone. He had this incredible energy that filled the whole room.”

And according to Ray, there was plenty of playful chemistry between them on set. “Michael would whisper jokes in my ear during filming,” she said with a laugh. “He was such a flirt in the sweetest way. There was a real innocence about it—it was fun, lighthearted, and genuine.”

Filming Thriller was a massive undertaking, with elaborate makeup effects, long night shoots, and a set buzzing with creative energy. Yet for Ray, the atmosphere was filled with excitement rather than exhaustion. “Everyone knew we were making something special,” she said. “But no one could have imagined just how huge it would become.”

When Thriller premiered on December 2, 1983, it changed pop culture forever. The 14-minute mini-movie broke boundaries for the music industry, blending cinema, choreography, and storytelling in a way that had never been done before. It became the first music video to be inducted into the Library of Congress’s National Film Registry, and to this day, remains the gold standard for the medium.

For Ola Ray, the experience was more than just a career milestone—it was a defining moment. “To this day, people still come up to me to talk about it,” she said. “They tell me where they were the first time they saw Thriller. It’s amazing to be part of something that touched so many lives.”

Though the years following Thriller brought both triumphs and personal challenges, Ray says her memories of Jackson remain pure and joyful. “Michael was such a beautiful soul,” she reflected. “When I think back on that time, I see his smile. He loved to make people happy—and he did that better than anyone.”

Now, as the Thriller legacy continues to inspire new generations—from Halloween parties to dance classes and global tributes—Ola Ray takes pride in knowing she helped bring that unforgettable story to life.

“It was magic,” she said simply. “And I’ll cherish it forever.”