RIP MJ

NO ONE WILL EVER FILL HIS SHOES

“In a world filled with hate, we must still dare to hope. In a world filled with anger, we must still dare to comfort. In a world filled with despair, we must still dare to dream. And in a world filled with distrust, we must still dare to believe.” 

– Michael Jackson

I wil never forget where I was, when I learned Michael Jackson had died.
I find it so hard to believe it has been two years, since that day. 

I was doing a show in Melbourne at The Palms and I found out, on the radio, on the way there. 

When I arrived at the theatre, I was met with the constant barrage of "Did you hear that MJ died?"

 Being such an artistic influence to me - on every level - I sat in the dressing room like a zombie, 

in complete disbelief... It was a very surreal experience to me. 

One of my fellow cast members, Simon Bentley, was as affected as I was and we pretty much sat there in complete shock.

When MJ's funeral was aired live, I stayed up 'til the very early hours of the morning watching it all. 

I had a matinee that particular day and slept  well through my alarm. For some reason, stage management didn't notice that I hadn't signed in and the show went up as per usual. I woke up nearly at the end of the first act and immediately freaked out - no one had tried to contact me and I couldn't reach anyone as the show was playing. I got straight in my car and sped to the theatre... Luckily, in this particular show, I wasn't onstage until pretty much the end of the second act. When I got there, as suspected, my understudy was not prepared to go on. Somehow no one noticed I was missing. It was such a weird time. The adrenaline got me though the performance AND got me dressed and made up, very fast. And I must admit, I did channel Michael a bit in that show, much to the cast's delight. 

MJ was such an enormous influence to me; his music, his videos, his concepts, lyrics, quotes and even his artwork. 

"Born to amuse, to inspire, to delight. Here one day, gone one night.

Like a sunset, dying with the rising of the moon. 

Gone too soon..."

– Michael Jackson

On the left is a crayon drawing I did, in primary school (elementary), for an assignment. 

We had to run a business & make a poster to advertise. I chose to produce a concert:

"Michael Jackson singing at my place"

I blurred the address, as it is my family home. 

I found this in a scrap book the other day and it gave me such joy, so I thought I'd share it. 

I wasn't the artist I am today... But, for a child, I think I was pretty good. 

I still find inspiration in Michael's work and in his words today.

  

"And my goal in life is to give to the world what I was lucky to receive: 

the ecstasy of divine union through my music and my dance.” 

– Michael Jackson