Solène Lory, the Girl on Stage During Michael Jackson’s “You Are Not Alone” in Munich, 1997

Solène Lory is a French Michael Jackson fan who, at age 18, was brought on stage during his HIStory World Tour concert in Munich, Germany, on July 6, 1997, for the performance of “You Are Not Alone.” This moment became one of the most memorable and emotional fan interactions from the tour, captured in official recordings and widely circulated online. She is the girl seen hugging Michael tightly, kneeling before him, and showing raw emotion as he embraces her.

Solène became a fan in 1992 after seeing Michael live on the Dangerous Tour in Toulouse, France. For the HIStory Tour, she traveled extensively to multiple shows (including Spain, Paris, Munich, London, and others) and deliberately positioned herself in the front row by queuing early and running to prime spots.

She actively tried to get noticed by the production team, particularly the cameraman and Michael’s assistant Anthony, starting from earlier concerts. In Paris, her best friend was selected instead, which devastated her, but the cameraman encouraged her to try again at future shows. Her persistence paid off in Munich.

During the second Munich concert, as “You Are Not Alone” began, Anthony pulled her from the crowd. She ran onto the stage, jumped into Michael’s arms, hugged him tightly, cried, tried to kiss him, and told him (in French) that she loved him. She knelt and clasped his legs in awe, which surprised him. She carried a teddy bear talisman (a keepsake from a previous Michael-related event) but forgot to give it to him in the moment.

Security (including bodyguard Wayne) eventually escorted her off stage. She was so overcome that she could barely walk afterward and later noticed Michael’s scent on her shirt and teddy bear. The interaction was genuine and unscripted in its execution, though the tour routinely selected a girl for this segment each night.

Interestingly, because the Munich concert was filmed for a professional TV special, the editors used footage from two different nights. While Solène is the primary girl remembered, some shots in the final “Munich” film actually feature a different fan from the second night, though Solène remains the “face” of that specific tour stop.

In a 1998 interview with the fan magazine Black & White, she described the experience as a “magical dance” and expressed her deep love for the artist. She later wrote a message to Michael: “Michael, when I was in your arms on July 6th 1997 in Munich, I had the most beautiful time of my life. Thank you for this magical dance. I love you with all my heart. You are not alone.”

Solène largely stayed out of the spotlight after this. Fans who knew her story through the magazine respected her privacy, noting she grew into a normal adult life with a job and family. She has been described as a devoted, persistent fan rather than someone seeking fame. Clips of the moment continue to circulate and inspire fans decades later.