There are many people on this planet who could be — and are — Michael Jackson impersonators, but they aren’t C.J. Williams.
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If Williams had his way, he’d have taken the stage during the Gary Community School Corp.’s 7th Annual Michael Jackson Tribute performance Friday descending from the sky onto the stage on Roosevelt Academy’s football field on a jet pack. The idea was shot down by organizers, however, over safety issues.
Still, if you’re going to do M.J., one needs to stand out, he said.
Costumed in a black and gold suit adorned with mirrors and silver moon boots for that extra touch, Williams, of Gary, accomplished his objective and then some.
“It’s all about his character,” said Williams, who’s impersonated the Gary native and megastar for 10 years. “When you’re impersonating an icon such as Michael, you have to be true to the character, but I put my twist to it, because anyone can dress like him.”
But the jet pack?
“Michael left this world on a jet pack, so I wanted to come in on one,” he said. “But I want to give back to the world just like Michael did.”
Billed as an event to not only celebrate the singer, but as a kick-off for students to get fired up for the new school year, Dorothy Roberson, of Chicago, can relate to finding inspiration. A Tina Tuner impersonator who sang a rousing rendition of “Rollin’ on the River” for the late-afternoon audience, Roberson was going through a rough divorce seven years ago when she went to see Turner at the United Center.
She couldn’t get through the lobby without people stopping her for pictures because they thought she was either the real Tina, or at least an uncanny impersonator. The gospel singer found her calling that night.
“I was going through the same thing that she did. I was divorced at 50 with nothing,” Roberson said. “I started learning her songs and before you know it, I was fine. My goal now is to get over to Switzerland and meet the real Tina.”
A group of five 12- and 13-year-old girls said they were inspired by the performances. One said she wants to be a dance teacher while another wants her own dance team and one of the 13-year-olds wants to sing.
The girls attend the tribute each year and see themselves taking the stage one day, they said, but school comes first.
“I need to get my education,” one said.
Michelle L. Quinn is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.