Trespassing with… Kenny Whizz, Michael Jackson impersonator

By
Victoria Hughes
– March 3, 2011Posted in: Arts, Dance/Theatre, Featured, Interviews, Music

Straight from Las Vegas, the History Does Repeat & This Is It tour will be arriving in Australia this June. If you’re a fan of Michael Jackson, here’s your chance to relive some of the singer’s most-loved songs with dance moves to match. Starring one of the best Michael Jackson impersonators in the world, Kenny Whizz, the tour presents a musical biography of the King of Pop with tracks such as ABC, Smooth Criminal, Beat It and many more making a showing.

Victoria Hughes interviews Kenny Whizz about his latest tour.

You are touring Australia for the first time. Have you planned breaks in your tour for sightseeing and what cities are you most looking forward to experiencing?

Yes this is my first time to Australia – it’s a very big tour starting in Perth and finishing in Townsville, so I will get to see a lot of the country in a very short amount of time. I’m looking forward to seeing the big twos – koalas and kangaroos.

How often do you tour and how long does it take to prepare and rehearse for each one?

History: This is it tour will be on tour until 2013 with 27 countries booked so far. The preparation has been done and all rehearsals were completed before we started the tour in South Africa in January 2011.

What are your personal highlights of the History Does Repeat & This Is It tour?

I think for me it’s the great cast we have on tour. The band is so amazing and my dancers are great. The personal highlight is the crowd’s reaction; it has been amazing – they show me and the cast so much love with all the screaming and standing ovations during the performance.

You’ve been described as one of the best Michael Jackson impersonators in the world. How much time have you dedicated to transforming yourself into a world class impersonator and how much of your act comes naturally? What aspects have had to be worked on the most?

For me I was lucky to have been given the gift of dance and voice and with my love of Michael Jackson the dedication was easy. I do have to keep very fit and keep my voice well trained to deliver the performance the fans expect to see.

You’ve dedicated your life to the music of Michael Jackson - which other artists inspire you?

I enjoy many styles of music; I love the sound of gospel and I’m always inspired by any great artist that gives the public a great performance.

It is well known that Michael was a great philanthropist and gave a great deal of time and money to charities, which helped victims of famine and supported disadvantaged children, as well as setting up the Heal the World Foundation. Do you believe in supporting similar causes or do you have your own interests?

Apart from Michael’s great talent I have been inspired by his humanitarian and good will to the world and I’m looking forward to being able to carry on any work that will make this a better world.

People sometimes find it difficult to separate life from art. Have you encountered any mad fans and if so, what is the craziest proposition you’ve had?

There are many fans that miss Michael and if I can fill their loss to put a smile on there face then I’m happy.

For every fan of Michael Jackson, there are also sceptics who believe that he should have stood trial in 1993 to answer to child abuse allegations. He was tried two years later for similar crimes and found not guilty on all counts. Have you ever encountered anger at the hands of MJ critics due to the accusations against him, and if so, how did you deal with it?

This is something I really can’t comment on sorry.

Everyone remembers where they were when they heard the tragic news about Michael’s death. How did his passing affect you personally? How has it impacted on your career?

I still do not believe he will never perform again, for me it was something I had to deal with. I now know that the fans will always miss him and they appreciate my performance in keeping the memories alive.

What are your proudest career moments, and what lies in store for fans in the future?

I love to perform and I love it that the Michael fans around the world love what I do, for me it is just a great privilege to have been given the gift of dance and voice and also to perform as the great man. I will always give the MJ fans 110% of myself in every performance and look forward to showing Australia that the Michael Jackson sprit is alive and well around the world. This makes me very proud to see the fans still loving the music and my performs.

History Does Repeat & This Is It Tour Dates:

Melbourne: Friday 3 June & Saturday 4 June 2011, The Palms at Crown

Geelong: Sunday June 5 2011, Geelong Performing Arts Centre

For more information, visit: http://www.mjhistoryshow.com/

About Victoria Hughes

Victoria Hughes is a U.K. born Italophile with a Very Busy Head and far too few hours in the day to express all the wonderfully inane ideas which gush forth from it. She and her giant of a husband have fallen at a Sydney shaped hurdle whilst attempting to travel the world. Having reconciled to herself that there are far worse places to end up, Victoria is spending her time writing, blogging, eating, exploring and doing lots of lovely stuff, most of which seem to end in 'ing'. You can find her on Twitter as @firebirdasusual.