Becoming Michael Jackson- The Process

It’s amazing what makeup can do. I’m not talking about my female friends by any means. I’m talking about taking an average person and turning them into something or someone else. For LEGACY, becoming MJ requires several layers of powder, creams, liquid sealer, eyeliner, false eyelashes and hair. I usually go for the look that people recognize as Michael Jackson: The thin nose, high cheekbones, wide eyes and light skin and long hair.  

Ben Nye Makeup Set



We use makeup products by Ben Nye which is high quality makeup that is used by professional stage artists. This makeup does not come off easily even with all the heavy sweat that happens due to excessive dancing, warm stage lighting and heavy costuming. There are shading tricks that can be done to thin the nose, make the nostrils look smaller, widen the eyes and make the jaw appear more squared. Makeup alone takes about 1 ½ hour so it’s a very intricate step by step process.  Since this is not a makeup tutorial, I will skip the details. 

MJ wig used for LEGACY

In addition to the makeup, I use fake eye-lashes and a wig made from human hair that gets anchored-in using my real hair so that it does not come off during all the movement and the quick costume changes. That would be HILARIOUS!!!!- if it fell off in the middle of a show. HAHAHAHA. Yeah, I laugh now, wait until it really happens! After every show, the wig gets cleaned, curled and styled by a professional also known as a “Wig Master”.

The most challenging part for me was the weight loss in preparation for LEGACY. When I was approached by the producer about working on this project I was in no shape mentally or physically to take on something like this. The physical work alone can be exhausting for a fit person let alone for an overweight guy.

2011 (175lb)

2009 (197lb.)

When I signed to do the show for 2010 I weighed in at 197lb. After years of not dancing and eating foolishly, I gained a great amount of weight. When I started training in the dance studio I realized I was extremely out of shape. After about the 4^th song in rehearsals I was ready to quit. I couldn’t keep up!! Then kicked in the discipline and the rigorous rehearsals and the weight began dropping.  By show night in 2010 I was at 169lb. By then, I had gained the resistance and speed I needed in order to fulfill my duties as a performer. It’s funny how even as little as 5 pounds can make a big difference. I suppose when dancing for two hours under warm lighting and heavy costuming, every ounce counts. I intend to be right around 160-165lbs. by show night this year.  In my opinion, MJ was too thin- I don't care for weighting 135lbs. That's a bit drastic for my body frame. 

 Looking like MJ is one of the most important parts of what I do. I can't say I impersonate him if I don’t assimilate to him. Sometimes it’s my least favorite part (getting ready) of my job because it’s tedious and time-consuming work but it’s one of the most important. Impersonating Michael Jackson is not putting on a shiny jacket, a glove and dancing around. It's leaving who you are aside for a moment, changing your attitude onstage and embracing someone else through you, and delivering it with all the respect and dignity that artist and this artform deserves. I always say:

“If you are going to do something that you are passionate about, do it right.  ALL or NOTHING”

-LC

(2011)