![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/05/Michael_Jackson_impersonator_for_Thriller_25th_anniversary.jpg/220px-Michael_Jackson_impersonator_for_Thriller_25th_anniversary.jpg)
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][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]
In the media
[edit]Films
[edit]- 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.[10]
- 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.[11]
Television
[edit]- 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.[12]
- 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.[13]
- 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
[edit]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.[14]
Live events
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/80/MichaelJacksonTributeSticky%26SweetTour2009.jpg/220px-MichaelJacksonTributeSticky%26SweetTour2009.jpg)
- In July 2009, singer Madonna paid a tribute during the second leg of her Sticky & Sweet Tour.[15] A Jackson impersonator performed his signature moves, while dancing to a medley of Jackson's songs.[16]
- Thriller – Live is a two-and-a-half-hour concert celebrating the music of Jackson.[17][18] 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.[19][20][21][22]
List of notable impersonators
[edit]See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Michael Jackson impersonators: lookalikes around the world pay tribute to the King of Pop". 2 July 2009 – via www.telegraph.co.uk.
- ^ "Michael Jackson impersonator - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)". mobile.abc.net.au.
- ^ "See Michael Jackson impersonator at Riverland". gulfnews.com.
- ^ "Michael Jackson Impersonator Fights the Power Through Dance at Baltimore Protests". Billboard.
- ^ "The Man in Mirror: What it's like being the 'world's number one' Michael Jackson impersonator". NME. 20 June 2017.
- ^ "Michael Jackson impersonator talks playing the King of Pop around the world, and now in Lifetime biopic". ABC News. 27 May 2017.
- ^ "Michael Jackson Impersonator Participates In Wrestling Match Immediately Goes Viral". 98.7 KLUV. 10 July 2018.
- ^ Bassett, Jordan (20 June 2017). "What it's like being the 'world's number one' Michael Jackson impersonator". NME.
- ^ Sanchez, Sandra Crespo. "This Guy Looks Exactly Like Michael Jackson And It's Really Throwing People Off". BuzzFeed.
- ^ Sreenath, I. (8 March 2017). "Vinayakan: A catcall from the fringe that rattles the uptight hero". Malayala Manorama. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
- ^ "Harmony-Korine.com – News". Archived from the original on 2006-12-23. Retrieved 2006-12-27.
- ^ Simon, Jane (14 December 2009). "Move Like Michael Jackson". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 14 December 2009.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Caramanica, Jon (19 October 2014). "Examining Michael Jackson Impersonators and 'Dangerous'" – via NYTimes.com.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Saad, Mardeen (July 6, 2009). "Madonna pays tribute to Michael Jackson in concert". Stuff.co.nz. Associated Press. Retrieved May 12, 2015.
- ^ "Thriller Live | Musicals". The Guardian. 22 January 2009. Retrieved 2021-11-27.
- ^ Joanne Sweeney (2017-03-16). "Britt Quentin stars in Michael Jackson Thriller Live show". The Irish News. Retrieved 2021-11-27.
- ^ "Jackson brother at show premiere". BBC. January 22, 2009. Retrieved January 28, 2009.
- ^ Roy, Sanjoy (January 22, 2009). "Thriller Live Lyric, London". The Guardian. Retrieved January 28, 2009.
- ^ Frickler, Karen (January 21, 2009). "Thriller Live". Variety. Retrieved January 28, 2009.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Ogunnaike, Lola (1 March 2005). "A Fake Michael Jackson's Big Break: A Fake Trial". The New York Times. Retrieved 16 June 2017.
- ^ Kreps, Daniel (2017-01-14). "Michael Jackson Impersonator Lands Role in Lifetime Biopic". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2017-06-16.
- ^ Celia Walden (2008-05-30). "Britain's Got Talent: dancing to the same beat". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 2017-06-16.