Final answer:
The perceived rivalry between Michael Jackson and Prince was likely a professional competition influenced by their simultaneous prominence in the music industry during the 1980s, with both having mutual respect for each other's talents. Media speculations and their public images contributed to the narrative of a rift.
Step-by-step explanation:
The rivalry between Michael Jackson and Prince is often attributed to their careers' overlaps as leading figures in the music industry during the 1980s. Both artists were at the height of their success and were competing for the attention of similar audiences with their distinct but somewhat comparable music styles. Reports and anecdotes suggest that they had a professional rivalry which could be seen as a form of mutual respect tainted by competitiveness, rather than a personal dislike.
Each artist pushed the other to excel, and this competition arguably led to some of the most innovative periods of their careers. However, they also respected each other's artistry, and there are instances where both have expressed admiration for each other's work.
Some of the ill feelings may have stemmed from media-fueled perceptions and contrasting public personas, with Jackson's more family-friendly image compared to Prince's edgier persona. The exact details of their relationship remain somewhat of a mystery because of their private natures and the speculative nature of most sources.