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Stephanie Mills says she should have married Michael Jackson to protect him from music industry influences.

Stephanie, 64, posted a photo of herself with Black Michael. The image is one of many photos taken of the friends together.

Stephanie captioned the image: “Michael and I should have married. I would have protected the beautiful one.”

There were rumors that Stephanie had a crush on the late pop icon in the 1980s, but they were never romantically involved, according to insiders.

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Stephanie was 17 when she gained international fame for her electrifying performance as Dorothy in the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical The Wiz from 1974 to 1979.

Stephanie’s song “Home” from The Wiz soundtrack was a Number 1 U.S. R&B hit for her. The song was performed by Diana Ross in the 1978 film adaptation of The Wiz.

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Even though Stephanie never got to first base with Michael, she did marry singer/dancer Jeffrey Daniel, of Shalamar and Soul Train fame.

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Jeffrey, pictured with Jackie Jackson of The Jacksons in 1982, is credited with teaching Michael Jackson the Moonwalk.

Stephanie and Jeffrey, 64, divorced in 1983 after three years of marriage.

Stephanie later married Dino Meminger: (1989–1991) and Michael Saunders (1993–2001).