Gratitude- Reflections on a week of Michaeling

The past few days have been somewhat of a whirlwind. 

I haven't been sleeping much.
I haven't been traveling or preoccupied with work (for once) but, just really busy with enjoying my friendships and "Michaeling".

For those of you that aren't familiar with the term, it's a common term for fangirls (and guys alike), especially here in NYC. Michaeling refers to any series of activities or Michael Jackson related events that one engages in, at any given time.  I've done three fun MJ related events with friends in the last few days and I thought I'd share some of it here.

The first event I attended was DJ Spinna's annual FOREVER MICHAEL party in Brooklyn.

DJ Spinna has been one of my favorite DJs for a long time. I feel like he and I really vibe off of the same wavelength when it comes to Michael Jackson. He plays all of the well known songs of course but, really digs into the crates and plays a lot of lesser known Jacksons' tracks at all of his MJ parties. Some of my favorites that night were "That's What You Get (For Being Polite)" and Jackson 5's "Body Language". I love a lot of the R&B and deeper grooves as opposed to the more popular pop/rock type songs so, DJ Spinna parties are always great times for me.

For six hours straight, friends and I danced and enjoyed the atmosphere. I got there around 10:30pm with my blogging bestie (also my best friend from high school) and stayed all the way until after 4am. One of the few times I've went to an MJ event with a non- MJ fan friend but, it was a great experience. She and I both had a lot of fun.

The first ALL Michael-music party I ever attended was on August 29th, 2009... just around 2 months after his death. It was a bittersweet moment. As a kid I'd always dreamed of being together with people who really got me. I've never publicly admitted this but, one of my favorite Michael Jackson short films was always "HIStory". Weird for some but, it represented a reality that I could only ever dream about (watch the video here).

After years and years of daydreaming... parties like this became real life. So much so, that I stopped going for a few years. But, it feels good to be back into the swing of things.

Here are some photos from the night below:

It's sad that it took losing Michael for me to completely find the sense of community that I had always searched for. But, nevertheless... I am grateful.

With one of my MJFAM sisters, who I founded Legacy of Love NYC (an MJ fan club) with, 7 years ago. 

ladies night

The smiles you see above belong to 6 hours of non-stop Michael music and the feelings of 4:30am.

On June 29th, I saw my first movie under the New York City stars.
Friends and I gathered for one of the NYC Parks: Movies Under the Stars events and of course, we went specifically to see Michael Jackson's This Is It.

I am not one of those people who gets sad when I watch This Is It. I can watch it at home and feel okay (usually at least until "Man In The Mirror") so, I was excited for this gathering without hesitation.

When I got to the park, the inflatable screen was already blown up and some of my friends had already arrived to hold down a spot. We all came equipped with blankets and snacks but, at MJ fans always do... out group took it to the next level,

When I got to the park entrance, I immediately knew which direction to head. Why? Well... my friend brought her speaker and was blasting some cool MJ tracks loud enough to be heard throughout the area. 

And what's a movie without a full picnic spread, including some drinks to get us all a little loose and relaxed on a Thursday night?

We also had fun reading the closed captions- some of them accurate, some of them not so much so.

After the movie we stayed in the park and listened to music together until well after midnight.

The last event I attended was seeing Who's Bad, my favorite Michael Jackson tribute band, perform at Brooklyn Bowl.

It was my seventh time seeing Who's Bad and each time feels like the first. You can read about my reviews of the band HERE and HERE but, I've said it before and I will say it again- they are THE BEST at what they do! 

I can only speak for myself but. I LOVE Michael Jackson tribute shows because I love hearing Michael's music played loud and live by fellow fans. 

James Times III is my new favorite tribute artist. He performs with awesome precision and you can tell that he has practiced a lot and takes a lot of pride in capturing Michael's energy on stage. You know how certain artists remind you of certain eras? 

Well, James is 100% Dangerous Tour to me and I think that's pretty good. (Most rank around HIStory tour or are frankly, only comparable to Michael's tour dancers.) Who's Bad has always done a pretty good job at selecting their main Michael leads and James is no exception.

He is also incredibly kind and took multiple photos with my friends and I, with a smile.

The Who's Bad band is also SUPER good! They have a new guitarist that I noticed did a great job fitting right in with the team. If you're interested to find out when they will be in your town, check out their official website whosbadmusic.com.

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I had a moment this week that really reminded me what my love for Michael Jackson and his music is all about. Someone asked me at the Forever Michael party, what I loved about Michael.

I gave him a smart-ass answer... "EVERYTHING."

He challenged me further 

"No-- really?" he said... "What is it about Michael Jackson that you love? You say you're a real fan... so tell me... what is it?"

I looked around the room and held my hands out towards my friends. "You see all of these people?... This is why I love Michael Jackson.... he gave me all of this".

Michael Jackson is so loved, in part because of how he brought (and continues to bring) people together. Since the age of 14/15, I've been blessed to be a part of the fan community and have created so many bonds and friendships since then. My very best friends are people I've met through being a fan. Although we may not always see eye to eye, it's ALL LOVE. And that's the truth. 

I hope that you all enjoyed this post and special shout out to my friends who appear above and gave me permission to include them here.

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This post is dedicated to Michael Jackson. 

Michael- Thank you for all of the music & the memories. 

You are missed.

Why do YOU love Michael Jackson?

How would you answer that question briefly, to someone you've never met?

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Weekend Snapshot- Invincible – A Glorious Tribute to Michael Jackson

I woke up last Saturday morning and decided that I was in the mood for Michael.

When things get busy and stressful, is when I most urgently feel the need to reconnect with some of the things and people that make me happy. Of course, Michael Jackson is usually at the top of that list.

Invincible- A Glorious Tribute to Michael Jackson is one of the many tribute shows I’ve attended over the years.  Produced by Darrin Ross and choreographed by one of Michael’s former choreographers, Lavelle Smith, Invincible is a theatrical production featuring two well-known tribute artists.

Both Pete Carter and Jeffrey Perez are talented and hardworking guys! Whenever I see this show, I know that some “MJ Fan” energy is going to come out of the performance, which I also enjoy.  I saw them last at NJPAC in New Jersey, during the summer of 2016.

On a whim, I decided to head all the way to one of the outer boroughs of the city to see the show again.

I took one of my close friends from college with me. 

Let me preface this by saying, she is not a Michael Jackson fan. She is a woman who, like most people, loves Michael as an artist in general. To be honest, she’s a Janet Jackson fan more than anything else. She has always respected my dedication and loyalty to Michael Jackson and for that especially, I’ve considered her a true friend. Friendship is so much about acceptance for me. It takes a lot to see someone’s flaws and shortcomings and still go out of your way to cherish them and their role in your life. And she’s one of those people for me.

Despite this, I’ve always kept my “MJ world” compartmentalized from most people. Outside of knowing that I’m a fan, people don’t know much else. And I like it that way for the most part. I’ve had MJ fan friends since I could access the internet, so the need to have other companionship at events or to discuss Michael-related things was never there. But, last weekend I took the plunge and decided to ask her to tag along.

It was a rainy and gloomy day. After enjoying a movie and indulging in lunch from my favorite burger spot (SHAKE SHACK!) we were on our way to the Staten Island venue.

Overall, we both enjoyed the show. They do many of the big hits associated with dance numbers (“Thriller,” “Smooth Criminal,” etc), the big ballads (think “Man in the Mirror” and “Human Nature”) and to my delight, a couple of Jacksons songs that usually don’t get much attention from tribute shows. Pete Carter performs as “Dancing Michael” and Jeffrey Perez performs as “Singing Michael” and it makes for a good balance. Before we went to the show, I sat my friend down and had her watch THIS – Jeffrey’s appearance on the Ellen Show last year.  

A lot of people have asked me why I attend tribute events. 

I guess it's a "thing"- some Michael Jackson fans just don't like them. And I understand it- I used to be that fan. 

But, I love the music and the atmosphere. I love the idea of going to a Michael event because no matter what it is, as long as it’s being done well and in good faith- I enjoy supporting other fans. And I love dressing up in my MJ gear and representing my hero. 

If you follow me on Instagram, you might remember that I was having trouble deciding what to wear that night. I posted this photo:

Here’s what I ended up wearing:

And here I am with the tribute artists: 

Overall, I had a good experience that night. And as for inviting my friend? 


She got a chance to step into my life for a bit and met about 6 or 7 of my Michael Jackson fan(girl) friends. Listening to Michael music, being around fans, and sharing my love for MJ with others has always been something I’ve been so passionate about. 

It felt good to let someone into my world, even for just a few hours. 

I might do it again sometime. 

Do you guys attend MJ-related events often?

Do you go solo, with your regular friends, or exclusively with other fans?

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5 Reasons Why Who’s Bad is the Best Michael Jackson Tribute Band Around

Who's Bad is my favorite Michael Jackson tribute band.

Friends have been inviting me to Brooklyn Bowl for ages to go see different DJ sets, out to eat, and of course, to bowl. But, to be honest... I’ve never been there for any of those reasons.

There’s only a few times a year I am willing to make the trek to Brooklyn Bowl and that’s when Who’s Bad comes to town.

Founded and based out of North Carolina, Who's Bad is a Michael Jackson tribute act that travels all over the United States and overseas to perform Michael's music. They are the longest running Michael Jackson tribute band and the ONLY ONE to predate Michael's passing in 2009. From the choreography, to the ad libs, to the set-list- all the details of the show have been carefully crafted for the Michael Jackson fan in mind. 


The first time I saw Who's Bad was in 2011. I had recently founded Legacy of Love, a Meetup for Michael Jackson fans in New York City a year prior and made a bunch of girlfriends that I felt very close to. At the time, Michael’s death was still something that weighed heavily on all of us. When it was announced that Who's Bad was playing B.B. Kings Blues Club on my birthday- I knew it was the perfect way to celebrate and the ladies were happy to join me. Now I sometimes prefer to attend concerts and Michael events alone but, I really appreciated the company and support back then.

Located in the heart of Times Square, B.B. Kings was a great place to see them for the first time. The venue not only had a great sound system and a large dance/standing room floor but, also boasted two LCD screens on either side of the stage. They played videos of Michael and other unique silhouetted imagery of themselves in the background. It was one of the best fan gatherings I can remember.

You may have read my first blog post about Who’s Bad, where I talked about how much I enjoyed the show.  That was written almost 3 years ago and after seeing them again at Brooklyn Bowl, I knew it was time to write a follow-up.

Since the initial review, a few band members have changed (including one of the lead performers, fan favorite Taalib York. I will get back to that later,..) And although it's 7 years later and the shock of losing Michael has somewhat dissipated, Who’s Bad still played to a totally packed house. 

Let me be completely transparent; I used to be THAT girl. The kind of fangirl who, like many in the fan community, didn't like tribute acts.  I was quite outspoken about not wanting to see anyone else do Michael songs. Who's Bad changed that.

Who's Bad was the first tribute act I saw after Michaels death and though I’ve seen a handful of others since then, NO other experience (besides the Jacksons concerts) comes closer to seeing Michael Jackson live. Yep, I said it… and I have seen Michael Jackson live and the Jacksons live, six other times (including once with Michael in 2001). Keep reading to find out why...

5 Reasons Why Who's Bad is 

THE BEST Michael Jackson Tribute Band around!

1. They're fans.

One of the things I know to be true, is that 99% of Michael Jackson impersonators and tribute acts are FANS. Why would anyone spend countless hours learning choreography, Michael's mannerisms, perfecting the lyrics, and even a developing time consuming stage makeup routine, if they weren't a fan?

Sometimes impersonators and tribute acts can give off vibes that make you question whether or not they’re still fans, whether or not they are simply on stage just going through the motions... things like that. I don’t really know how to explain it but, if the performers aren’t passionate about what they’re doing, tributes can come off as dry and mechanical. What I've found in Who's Bad, is that you can literally feel energy of a stage full of people who love Michael Jackson and his music. What other tribute show do you know of, where the guys in the band play instruments, do a little background singing, and even some dancing? They're having fun the entire show and the crowd really feeds off that.

2. They are respectful of Michael Jackson. 

I have seen a lot of tribute acts over the past few years and some have been surprisingly kitschy. Others have been somewhat offensive. About 4 years ago, I went to see a tribute show and the lead performer made distasteful jokes in between songs. As a fan, I was hurt to see another fan make fun of Michael just to get laughs out of the audience... but, I guess it comes with the territory. It’s frustrating but, from a business standpoint, I understand it. Sometimes shows do need to be tailored to their respective audiences but, it's still not MY cup of tea. Who's Bad reminds the audience at every show, that they are celebrating the life and the music of Michael Jackson. And to me, that's the way it should be.

As Michael once said himself during his acceptance of the Grammy Legend Award in 1993, “It feels good to be thought of as a person, not as a personality.”  I wouldn't be able to enjoy the show without knowing that the performers up there were representing and celebrating my hero with dignity and class.


3. They are super talented individuals.

Of course, the Who’s Bad features all the classic hits that folks want to hear but, they also play a couple of surprises, including “Love Never Felt So Good,” which was cool hearing accompanied by live instrumentation. The Michaels, James Time III & Joseph Bell both have outstanding voices and do a great job at performing the songs live. Michael was so much more than a dancer and an entertainer… his voice was also a key element of that overall "King of Pop" stage performance. Who’s Bad consistently features performers with vocal talent who are naturals on the stage.

4. The BAND is amazing.

The BAND! I cannot say enough great things about them. The musical direction is on point and I have to give great props to those guys. No other tribute show has got the live Michael/Jacksons sound down like they do. The live music is played with soul and exuberance. One of the main reasons why I feel so pumped after Who's Bad shows, is because of how authentically well they play Michael's music and interacting with the crowd.

5. They do lots of meets and greets and come down to take photos after the show!

One of the reasons I love this act is that I've gotten a chance to speak to several of the members. They are super down to Earth and gladly take photos with fans, when time and venue permits. (I actually haven't met Joseph, AKA "Jobell" yet but, I look forward to meeting him in the near future.)

After the show, I was anxious to meet the Michaels. I had the chance to meet the band’s newest front man, James. He exceeded my expectations both on stage and off. I was impressed with his sharp dance moves and a graceful stage presence reminiscent of Michael’s. But also, how kind he was to take multiple photos and chat with each person who wanted to.

Oh- and BONUS points because he gave me a shout out during the show to compliment me on my CTE shirt!

Me in my CTE Shirt...

...and Michael in his! * via Dangerous Tour- MITM performance*

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Seeing Who’s Bad this was time around was a fun experience and I am glad I went on that Friday night. Oh and last but not least... I want to address something that has been a topic of conversation among the fan community lately... What Happened to Taalib York?  Well, after attending the show, I am glad to say I finally found out the answer. That night they announced a special guest in the audience and it was Taalib!

James, Taalib, and Jobell on January 6th at Brooklyn Bowl.

They mentioned that Taalib left the group to explore other opportunities. Very happy for him! The cool part I have to mention, was that he joined current lead men on stage during a memorable performance of “Man in the Mirror”. So awesome to see, ending the evening on a high note!

If you’re interested in seeing when Who's Bad will be in your city, visit their official website whosbadmusic.com or follow them on facebook, instagram and twitter @WhosBADMusic. Tickets are VERY reasonably priced (I don't think I've paid more than $30 USD to see them General Admission in New York but, I would because they are worth sooo much more). They travel all over the world and are probably going to be playing at a town near you sometime soon.

Don’t forget to tag me too and let me know how you enjoyed the show :-)

Be sure to follow MJFANGiRL on social for more! 

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Until Next Time, xoxo

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Who's Bad the Ultimate Michael Jackson Tribute Band Review (03.07.2014)

Life has been nothing short of crazy lately but, as most Michael fans know, nothing soothes the soul like a good dose of Michaeling. 

the Who's Bad guys

The first time I went to see Who’s Bad was in 2011, at BB Kings here in NYC. That day just happened to be my birthday so, it was a special treat for sure. At the time,  I had just made a ton of great MJ fan friends and seeing this band was just one of many events that we frequented. Recently my life has changed so much in terms of what I do on a day to day basis, so this time I really had to push myself to go. After working almost a 70 hour work week, I found myself sitting at my desk on a Friday night still having paperwork to do. At 7:30 I finally pulled myself together and made my way to Brooklyn to meet up with good friends of mine.

The show was slated to start at 8pm but, Who’s Bad didn’t come on until 2 hours later. The opening act was pretty cool though (Kwame Bones) and performed lots of fun songs like Stevie Wonder’s “Superstitious” and the Rolling Stones “Satisfaction”. When Who’s Bad came to the stage, we were totally amped up and ready to ROCK!

The Who’s Bad show has several points that make the show super enjoyable and something that I will see time and time again. First of all, the band is awesome. It’s one thing to listen to Michael Jackson music in a club setting but, to hear the music played live and to see band members interact, dance, sing background vocals, AND play instruments is pretty much unheard of. The two background dancers were also a great addition especially for songs like "They Don't Care About Us," "Thriller," and the Drill. 

I have to talk about Taalib York, the lead and main tribute artist who performs as Michael.

I have never been a fan of the tribute artist or the “impersonator” in general but, I was so impressed and touched by Taalib’s performance. On stage he seemed to be himself and wasn't on stage trying too hard to be Michael-esque, had on just the right amount of makeup, and didn't try to change his speaking voice (that I could tell) to mimic Michael’s in any way. That being said, Taalib captured the essence of Michael Jackson and totally embodied his spirit and on stage personality- not to mention his interaction with the audience was great. He is also very down-to-earth and came down to take photos and chat with family, friends, and fans. I left Brooklyn Bowl last night with an extreme feeling of gratitude. I believe that when Taalib is on the stage, he is a vessel for Michael’s performing spirit to shine through. For that, I am grateful that he has dedicated a part of his life to doing this show for the past ten years. Not every tribute artist can evoke that type of feeling in a fan (and I’ve seen my fair share of these type of shows).  

Overall, it was an exhilarating time and just what I needed. They perform all of the hits and even some unexpected songs. I would love to hear see them perform some different songs but, that may come in time I suppose. I plan on seeing them again whenever they come to town and recommend the Who’s Bad Ultimate Michael Jackson tribute band show to any and all MJ fans.

(love this place)

(me with Taalib)

You guys, going to see that show last night was like hitting the reset button for me. I just needed it. I needed it and I am so thankful to have the passion and love for Michael in my life that I do. It's something that has kept me sane and helps put so much into perspective for me. What has your experience been with tribute bands? Have you ever seen Who’s Bad before?

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MJFanGirl Introduces- Jovan, of 3 Legends

Hey everyone! 
Welcome to a new series here on MJFanGirl, called MJFanGirl Introduces! 

I have so many awesome fan friends and meet new fans through the blog each and every day. I thought it would be a great opportunity to feature interviews with fans who are doing some awesome things in the fan community. For this first feature, we will be chatting with Jovan Carter, a Michael Jackson tribute artist from Gary, Indiana. He's had awesome reviews and is an up and coming artist who really knows his stuff! I really enjoyed chatting with Jovan and learning more about what inspired him to become a Michael Jackson impersonator. Take a look at what makes him tick and learn more about the story behind his brand, Michael Jackson Impersonator-3 Legends.


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Q. It's to great to finally meet you Jovan! Tell us a little bit about yourself.

A. My name is Jovan Carter I am a Tribute Artist/Impersonator who currently lives in Chicago, IL but who is originally from Gary, In. like Michael. Also like Michael I am one of the youngest of a large family I don't think about it alot but there are actually 6 boys and 3 girls like the Jackson family and even my Dad's name is Joe.


Q. How long have you been a Michael Jackson fan?

A. I don't know if I can be precise because he was already everywhere on TV and in his prime at the time I was born in 80's. But I can definitely remember at age 4 watching all the new videos on B.E.T and MTV and wishing that the next artist would be him and then wanting everyone in the house to be quiet when he came on.

Q. What are your favorite MJ songs? 
A. Billie Jean. That was the song that introduced the world to Michael on an iconic level. The total arrangement of it and it's creativity reminds me of James Brown coming up with Papa's Got a Brand New Bag, which was during a time that just about all music counts were on two and four-- James Brown was so unique in that song because the counts are on one and three. Billie Jean the grindy baseline, the whole sound and spirit is so unlike anything else before it. For example, look at the pattern of rhyme in the 1st stanza before the chorus and how it differs from the pattern of rhyme in the second stanza after the chorus... it's just something that I can only describe as raw innovation, pure creativity and one of my favorites. You can always play Billie Jean almost anywhere and people will feel like dancing. I also like Remember the time, Bad, Butterflies, Off the Wall and the list goes on.

Q. When did you first become a MJ impersonator? 

A. When I was 15 in Gary, In at Roosevelt High School. The same place where Michael and his brothers won their first  talent show, Roosevelt High School was also the place I won my first talent show as a MJ Impersonator. 

Q. There are so many impersonators out there. What makes you unique? 

A. You're right you have all nationalities too there are Hispanic ones, Black ones, people from India and other parts of the Middle East it really shows how much of an extensive mark he left on people around the world. But there are two main things that make me unique in a specific way. The first is having a foundation which we talked about that is so similar to MJ in terms of the same neighborhood in Gary and a family setup that is just uncanningly close. When you talk about artistry you can only pull from yourself and your experience. And you can't copy that, people think that you can but even Actors have to draw from something that's real. The second is that Michael not only studied but performed on a professional level tributes to Jackie Wilson and James Brown. You can find studio recordings of him singing "Lonely Teardrops" (Jackie Wilson) and of course "I Got the Feelin'" (James Brown.) I am the only Michael Jackson Impersonator I'm aware of who for a little over 10 years have like Michael also not only studied but performed on a professional level tributes to Jackie Wilson and James Brown. If Michael had to study these guys to become what he became it really puts an Impersonator further out of reach if they don't do the same. It's the 3 Legends I pay tributes to as to why I'm listed as: Michael Jackson Impersonator - 3 Legends, and the reason why my site is entitled www.michaeljackson3legends.com!

Q. What kinds of events do you usually perform at? 

A. I perform for all ages at all types of events. I always say Chicago and beyond and I've been able to travel to many cities to do Parades, Festivals, Quinceanera's, Wedding Receptions, Anniversary Parties, Kid's parties (there are alot of Michael Jackson themed parties I do). The Senior events, Family Reunions, and Retirement parties are usually the ones I get the requests to combine Jackie Wilson, James Brown, and Michael Jackson into one show. All of these I would say are the ones I usually perform at, although I just received a request to do a show for a Circus, and will be performing on a Cruise Ship the beginning of next year. I'm open to new ideas and love getting in front of new people.

Q. What's the most rewarding thing about being a Michael Jackson impersonator/ tribute artist? 

A. Seeing the same excitement that I had when I was a boy on Children's faces today and when an Elderly person tells me in the most genuine way how much they enjoyed the show. Also just as when I do Jackie Wilson and James Brown, performing as Michael Jackson seems so natural to me and it is really an extension of my personality. I'm one of those person's who if I hear a song that drives me it could be anywhere I have to move, if the song is new to me and really has that effect on me I have to play it at my house to see what it will teach my body to do. So as someone who before being a professional would rehearse a grueling 3 hours just for the insatiableness of it this allows me to express something that I would otherwise have to harness if I wasn't a Michael Jackson Impersonator. 

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Thanks for chatting with us Jovan! It was awesome to learn more about this fan doing great things in the fan community. 

If you are interested in booking Jovan, Michael Jackson Impersontor- 3 Legends, 

please do so via telephone 630-631-8581  or on the web at www.michaeljackson3legends.com,

Be sure to follow MJFANGiRL on social for more! 

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