July 01, 2009 11:06 EDT
Michael Lewis
Full-time impersonator, U.K.
How long have you been a fan of Michael Jackson?
All my life. I used to be a casual fan. I didn’t know much about the man behind the music, but when I found out who he was seven years ago -- his love of children, Peter Pan, his humanitarian projects -- I became an obsessive fan. I've been singing for five years but have been impersonating MJ for two. When I sing, I sing mostly his songs. I could relate to Michael -- he understood the boy in me who never grew up.
What is your favorite Michael Jackson song?
"Human Nature" has to be my favorite song performed by him. It’s a beautiful song and he looks like he’s walking on air when he's performing it. Like an angel, very elegant, very graceful. It’s my favorite one to sing as well. I perform it at small functions.
What is it about him that enthralled so many people?
I think he was the ultimate misunderstood person. But he has more talent in one little finger than most people can get in a lifetime. For me, he was the purest soul we had on this earth -- an angel sent from heaven. He taught me that it was okay to be yourself. His fans turned to him for inspiration and advice.
How are you mourning his death?
Right now, I’m at a vigil for him in London. I plan on going to Neverland on July 13. My bedroom is a shrine. I have a life-size statue of him in my room; I have Michael Jackson carpets and bed sheets. I was also planning to go to five concerts in London, which together cost 1,000 pounds.
I met him this year, too. I was at a press conference at the 02 Arena when he first announced his concert and I was in the front row cheering him on. The next day I was on an interview on a U.K. TV show talking about him. After that, I went to the hotel he was staying in and waited seven hours for him outside. He came out and greeted his fans and he and I had a quick exchange -- a "Hello" and a "How are you."
-- Alisa Kolenovic
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