According to David Winters, who met and befriended Jackson while choreographing the 1971 Diana Ross TV special "Diana!", (which was also Jackson's first solo debut outside of The Jackson 5), Jackson watched West Side Story almost every week and it was his favorite film.
Koreograaf David Winters, kes kohtus ja sõbrunes Jacksoniga 1971. aastal Diana Rossi televisiooni erisaates "Diana!" (mis oli ka Jacksoni esimene sooloesinemine eraldi The Jackson 5-st), on öelnud, et Jackson vaatas West Side Storyt peaaegu igal nädalal ning see oli tema lemmikfilm.