Michael Jackson impersonator

A Michael Jackson impersonator for the 25th anniversary of the album Thriller at the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival with performers from Step It Up and Dance

Impersonators of American entertainer Michael Jackson work all over the world as entertainers, and such tribute acts remain in great demand due to the enduring popularity of Jackson. ^{[1] [2]}

In the media

Films

• Maanthrikam , a 1995 Malayalam action comedy film, includes a scene in which actor Vinayakan (in his film debut) dances in a 'weak imitation' of Jackson. ^[3]
• Mister Lonely is a 2007 British-French-Irish-American comedy-drama film directed by Harmony Korine and co-written with his brother Avi Korine. It's a story of a young man living in Paris scratches out a living as a Jackson look-alike, starring Diego Luna as Jackson and dancing on the streets, public parks, tourist spots and trade shows. ^[4]

Television

• Move Like Michael Jackson was a British talent show made by independent production company Fever Media and Gogglebox Entertainment and transmitted on BBC Three, which aimed to find people who can dance like Jackson. ^[5]
• Impersonator Edward Moss portrayed Jackson in re-enactments of his 2005 trial on charges of child molestation which were broadcast daily on E! and Sky UK. ^[6]
• In 2011 on the television program "Qual é Seu Talento" (What is Your Talent) by the Brazilian broadcaster Sistema Brasileiro de Televisão, the Brazilian covers Jean Walker and Ricardo Walker played the King of Pop in the entire contest. In the performances, Jean Walker sang while Ricardo Walker danced. Jean Walker has a very similar timbre to Michael Jackson, while Ricardo Walker is an excellent dancer and works as a dance teacher on his project.

Literature

In January 2014, Lorena Turner, who teaches photography in the Communication Department at California State Polytechnic University, has spent four years tracking down 35 artists and look-alikes of Jackson. She released a new book of photos, essays and stories of men and women from across the U.S. who pretend to be Jackson for a living. ^[7]

Live events

Jackson's impersonator during the Sticky & Sweet Tour of Madonna

• In July 2009, singer Madonna paid a tribute during the second leg of her Sticky & Sweet Tour. ^[8] A Jackson impersonator performed his signature moves, while dancing to a medley of Jackson's songs. ^[9]
• Thriller – Live is a two-and-a-half-hour concert celebrating the music of Jackson. ^{[10] [11]} It had already been performed in the United Kingdom, Germany, Netherlands, and Scandinavia before opening at the Lyric Theatre, London on 2 January 2009. The show was conceived by Jackson family friend and author, Adrian Grant. ^{[12] [13] [14] [15]}

Tribute Shows

Show	Duration	Tickets Sold	Format	Region
Superstar Reflections	1987–1992	2,500,000 [16]	Concert	Europe
Michael Starring Ben	2008–present	1,000,000 [17]	Theatre	Worldwide
Thriller Live	2009–2020	4,500,000 [18]	Revue	Worldwide
The Michael Jackson History show	2009–Present	1,000,000 [19]	Concert	Worldwide
Forever King of Pop	2010–present	1,000,000 [20]	Concert	Europe
Michael Jackson: Immortal World Tour	2011–2014	3,700,000 [21]	Cirque De Solei	Worldwide
MJ Live	2012–present	2,500,000 [22]	Concert	United States
Michael Jackson One	2013–present	5,500,000 [23]	Cirque De Solei	United States
Michael Lives Forever	2017–present	1,000,000 [24]	Concert	Worldwide
I Am King: The Michael Jackson Experience	2019–present	2,000,000 [25]	Concert	Worldwide
MJ The Musical	2019–present	7,000,000 [26]	Broadway Musical	North America, Europe
This is Michael	2020-present	500,000 [27] [28]	Concert	North America, Europe

List of notable impersonators

• Edward Moss ^[29]
• Navi Charles ^[30]
• Suleman Mirza ^[31]

See also

• Elvis impersonator
• Madonna impersonator
• Tom Jones impersonator

References

1. "Michael Jackson impersonators: lookalikes around the world pay tribute to the King of Pop". 2 July 2009 – via www.telegraph.co.uk.
2. Bassett, Jordan (20 June 2017). "What it's like being the 'world's number one' Michael Jackson impersonator". NME.
3. Sreenath, I. (8 March 2017). "Vinayakan: A catcall from the fringe that rattles the uptight hero". Malayala Manorama . Retrieved 28 February 2018.
4. "Harmony-Korine.com – News". Archived from the original on 2006-12-23. Retrieved 2006-12-27.
5. Simon, Jane (14 December 2009). "Move Like Michael Jackson". Daily Mirror . Retrieved 14 December 2009.
6. Baker, Bob (March 3, 2005). "King of Pop impersonator star of E! trial re-enactment". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on July 9, 2009.
7. Caramanica, Jon (19 October 2014). "Examining Michael Jackson Impersonators and 'Dangerous'" – via NYTimes.com.
8. Rodriguez, Jayson (July 5, 2009). "Madonna Salutes Michael Jackson At London's O2 Arena – Music, Celebrity, Artist News". MTV. Viacom. Archived from the original on June 29, 2011. Retrieved January 14, 2012.
9. Saad, Mardeen (July 6, 2009). "Madonna pays tribute to Michael Jackson in concert". Stuff.co.nz. Associated Press . Retrieved May 12, 2015.
10. "Thriller Live | Musicals". The Guardian. 22 January 2009. Retrieved 2021-11-27.
11. Joanne Sweeney (2017-03-16). "Britt Quentin stars in Michael Jackson Thriller Live show". The Irish News. Retrieved 2021-11-27.
12. "Jackson brother at show premiere". BBC. January 22, 2009. Retrieved January 28, 2009.
13. Roy, Sanjoy (January 22, 2009). "Thriller Live Lyric, London". The Guardian . Retrieved January 28, 2009.
14. Frickler, Karen (January 21, 2009). "Thriller Live". Variety . Retrieved January 28, 2009.
15. Birke, Sarah (August 16, 2006). "Preview: Thriller Live, Dominion Theatre, London" . The Independent . Archived from the original on 2022-05-14. Retrieved January 28, 2009.
16. Valentino, Earnest (2024-11-14). "Earnest Valentino - Michael Jackson Tribute Artist". Mandy.com. He was leading performer, choreographer and manager of his own impersonation show titled "Superstar Reflexions". The spectacle was presented up to 8 times daily. During its five seasons this extremely successful production attracted more than 2.5 Million. people.
17. "Michael - Starring Ben". Cornwall 365 What's On. Retrieved 2024-11-14.
18. "First pics of Peter Andre in Thriller Live's spectacular 4000th gala show". Official London Theatre. Retrieved 2024-11-14.
19. Ngwenya, Jabulile S. (2017-01-12). "SA-born Dantanio brings HIStory to home crowd". IOL. Retrieved 2025-05-29.
20. "Forever King of Pop. A show around the universe of Michael Jackson". Forever King of Pop. Retrieved 2024-11-14.
21. "Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour by Cirque du Soleil wraps up to stunning success". DHL InMotion. 2015-01-08. Retrieved 2024-11-14.
22. Hershberg, Marc. "Las Vegas Show Sues Michael Jackson Estate Over Broadway Show Logo". Forbes. Retrieved 2024-11-14.
23. Staff, News 3 (2023-06-30). "Michael Jackson ONE celebrates 10-year anniversary on Las Vegas Strip". KSNV. Retrieved 2024-11-14.
24. "Michael Lives Forever Concert in Kuwait". 2:48AM - Entertaining Kuwait since 2003. 2024-09-29. Retrieved 2024-11-14.
25. Tuccio-Koonz, Linda (2019-07-29). "'I AM KING: The Michael Jackson Experience' stars Michael Firestone at Palace Danbury". Connecticut Post. Retrieved 2024-11-14.
26. Wild, Stephi. "MJ THE MUSICAL Will Celebrate 4th Anniversary With Post-Show Performance". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2026-02-08.
27. "THIS IS MICHAEL - Sagres Campo Pequeno". Cartaz Cultural Lisboa (in European Portuguese). Retrieved 2025-07-15.
28. Pozo, Laura (2025-04-01). "'This is Michael', el espectáculo musical que revive al Rey del pop aterriza en Córdoba". Diario Córdoba (in Spanish). Retrieved 2025-07-15.
29. Ogunnaike, Lola (1 March 2005). "A Fake Michael Jackson's Big Break: A Fake Trial". The New York Times. Retrieved 16 June 2017.
30. Kreps, Daniel (2017-01-14). "Michael Jackson Impersonator Lands Role in Lifetime Biopic". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2017-06-16.
31. Celia Walden (2008-05-30). "Britain's Got Talent: dancing to the same beat". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 2017-06-16.