Biography & Early Wealth Journey

According to Ray, she has only received $200,000 since 1983, the year of the original video's release, and claims that the directors never tried to negotiate anything prior to the 3D version's release. Ray said in the interview that if she doesn't get what she believes is rightfully hers, that the video shouldn't see the light of day.

"They will make millions more out of this… If I'm not getting paid, no one should be able to see it."

The former model was initially paid just $2,500 for her role in the video, and was awarded $75,000 for back payment of royalties in a court case in 2012, but had to pay $20,000 for attorney fees.

Ray says she is living below the poverty line as a result of not being paid royalty fees from "Thriller."

Primary Income Streams & Multi-Million Contracts

'Despite what I was promised I ended up having to raise my daughter, who is now 22, basically on welfare… I have had to live below my means and in poverty because of this… If I had been receiving the money I should have received my life would be drastically different."

Ray isn't the only person who claimed they were owed more money for their role on Jackson's iconic 'Thriller' album. Earlier this year, a jury ruled that Quincy Jones, the producer of the 'Thriller' album, was owed $9.4 million in royalty and fees by Jackson's estate. Jackson's estate claimed the Jones was only owed a little under $400,000.

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