‘Thriller’ Video Vixen Spills the Tea on Her On-Set Romance with Michael Jackson

Former Playmate and music video vixen Ola Ray played every young girl’s dream role when she starred in the iconic “Thriller” music video as Michael Jackson’s love interest. Fans certainly couldn’t deny the pair’s chemistry in the short film, and according to Ray, she and Jackson shared more than just one on-camera kiss on the cheek.

Ray sat down with TMZ in light of the highly anticipated biopic, “Michael,” hitting theaters last month. She explained that the role of Jackson’s girlfriend was slated to go to actress Jennifer Beals, who was riding high from her success in “Flashdance” in 1983. However, Ray won over director John Landis, who ultimately cast her alongside Jackson.

The actress and model was always a fan of the “Beat It” singer, even before she got the audition to star in “Thriller.” Ray told TMZ that she didn’t know she was auditioning for a part in Jackson’s video, but by the time she got to set, she made her admiration for the singer known.

“The energy was great because Michael was such a perfectionist,” Ray said of the video set. “We all had a great time watching him. For me… being able to have a front row seat and watch Michael Jackson in action– that meant the world to me.”

She described the King of Pop as “so kind, so sweet, so generous and sexy” before giving an inside scoop on a passionate kiss she shared with Jackson behind closed doors.

According to Ray, by the time the video was almost done shooting, “the tension had been brewing between us.” Jackson, at one point, invited her into his trailer, where they talked a little bit before exchanging a kiss. Although she declined to give further details to TMZ about their brief romance, the former vixen teased folks to read all about the spicy scene in her 2022 memoir, “The Thrill of It All.”

The two went their separate ways following “Thriller.” Still, Ray said they briefly kept in touch over the years, sharing several phone calls and her flying to Germany to meet him. Ray last saw Jackson while he was in the studio recording the “Bad” album.

During their chat at the studio, Ray told TMZ she was “teasing” Jackson and declined his invite for a lunch date. She later said she regretted not taking Jackson up on his offer. The next time the two crossed paths came right before Jackson died in 2009.

That’s when Ray sued the singer and his production company following unpaid royalties from the “Thriller” video. She claimed Jackson was always supportive of her legal fight, as he was the one who wanted her to sign a contract guaranteeing his rights to her likeness in “Thriller.”

Things finally settled in 2013, when Ray secured $55,000 for herself and $20,000 to her attorney in the case against Jackson.