To be "objective" , all microstock images are "contrived"; some more than others.
In the past, had some more "newsworthy" abstracts rejected by the editors, which perharps were more "real" than many published editorials.
But to be fair to the editors of Dreamstime, MJ is an icon. Fans are overboard on him , and the media intends to build another Elvis. Perharps with the help of Presley Jr. Lots of money to be made here.
I agree, sad that Farrah's strength and battle loss over cancer was not given as much publicity as MJ. But then again, so was Mother Teresa and Ella Fitzgerald when they passed away. As they say, all flash and no substance , but it's what the readers want.
Much like stock photos, your best images do not necessarily sell better than the la-dee-dahs.
Live with it