“How beautiful is that?” Moonwalking underwater: Michael
Jackson’s inspirational presence at the Paris Olympics 2024. By
Kerry Hennigan*
Photo montage © Kerry Hennigan
As his entry in the Songwriters Hall of Fame reminds us, “Michael
Jackson spent four decades as a songwriter, performer, recording artist
and public figure, and will be remembered as a consistent musical
innovator and stylistic trendsetter.” [1] While his fans and pop music
lovers have never forgotten nor underestimated the King of Pop’s iconic
status in popular entertainment, this year, with the help of the 2024
Paris Olympic Games – and Jackson’s birth state of Indiana – the rest of
the world has been reminded.
Michael Jackson fans have been pushing back against false allegations
and misplaced “cancel culture” ever since the “Leaving Neverland”
bombshell landed in 2019. Consequently, they would surely have been
delighted and reassured to hear so much of his music being used for
various routines in the Paris Olympics. The songs “Beat It,” “In The
Closet,” “Thriller” and “Smooth Criminal,” accompanied Olympians from
different countries, some dressed in outfits inspired by Jackson’s
costumes, as they competed in their respective events.
The US Artistic Swimming team, who won the Silver medal for their
MJ-inspired routine, even did a watery version of the moonwalk as part
of their choreography to “Smooth Criminal.” (They had previously won
Bronze with this routine at the World Aquatics Championships 2023 in
Japan.) In an interview given after this year’s Olympic success, the
team explained that because they were performing to Michael Jackson,
they felt they /had/ to include the moonwalk in their routine! [2][3]
Hearing the spectators clapping and stamping along with the music as
Rhythmic Gymnast Taisiia Onofriichuk (Ukraine) performed her hoop
routine to “Thriller,” complete with some Thriller-style moves, [4]
would been similarly reassuring to the Jackson faithful who will be
satisfied with nothing less than his complete vindication in the eyes of
the world. Whether or not the various performances won medals, the
athletes in question were winners in the eyes of the fans for their
choice of music, costumes and choreography.
In addition to being circulated on social media, videos of the
MJ-inspired performances were screened at the Q&A event hosted by the
Michael Jackson Estate at their annual Michael Jackson birthday party in
Las Vegas on August 28. Held in the Cirque du Soleil Michael Jackson One
Theatre at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, and live streamed for fans
everywhere, the Q&A was hosted by Estate representative Karen Langford
with special guests Rich and Tone Tualuaga. The brothers first began
working with Jackson as dancers back in 1995 when still in their teens.
Referring to the Olympics footage, Rich Tualuaga said, “How amazing is
it that in the 2024 Olympics, Michael Jackson’s music is being used on
the global level of competition. How beautiful is that?” [5]
Following the Olympics videos, Karen introduced a clip showing delegates
from the state of Indiana at the Democratic National Convention held in
Chicago, August 19-22. Not only was “Don’t Stop Till You Get Enough”
blasting out over the crowd during Indiana’s turn at the podium, but
amongst the state’s many claims to fame, the audience was told loudly
and proudly that it was “the home of Michael Jackson.” [6] The place of
Jackson’s birth (Gary, Indiana) is well known to his millions of fans,
some of whom have travelled considerable distances to visit the
two-bedroom house on Jackson Street. But, for those at the convention or
watching on TV who didn’t know or had forgotten Michael Jackson’s humble
origins, the Indiana delegates proclaimed it against a soundtrack of his
music in footage that has now been seen around the world.
All the video footage cited above has played a timely role in
reinforcing Jackson’s legacy as a perennially popular entertainer,
irrespective of the number of decades that have elapsed since Michael
initially recorded, filmed or performed the works in question. The art’s
iconic and timeless status is beyond dispute given its use and
performance references in 2024 – fifteen years after the artist’s death.
As for the young women of the US artistic swimming team, a wholly
appropriate codicil for them was a visit to Broadway in New York to see
a performance of MJ: the Musical at the Neil Simon Theatre. In addition
to receiving a “shout-out” from the stage, the team enjoyed meeting cast
members and comparing routines – like that underwater, upside down
moonwalk! The occasion was nicely captured on film and published online
by Broadway World. [7]
Michael Jackson once said, “Great music, and great melodies are
immortal. We still listen to Mozart today, Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff –
any of the greats. It’s like a great piece of sculpture, or a great
painting – it’s forever.” [8] That is certainly proving to be the case
of his own art as well, which is being appreciated and interpreted in
ways he probably never imagined, but would surely have loved.
Kerry Hennigan
14 September 2024
www.mjvibe.com
x.com
video.corriere.it
