Deja Halder is only seven, but says he’s been a Jackson fan for ”a lot of years”, and did a stunningly realistic imitation during a show of support for the embattled ”king of pop”.
Clad in a shiny black jacket, a rhinestone glove and dress pants that revealed his white socks, he was one of half a dozen Jackson imitators who showed off their talents at the gathering of about 200 fans in a Santa Maria, California, hotel late on Sunday.
The fans broke out in a frenzy as their heard their idol ask: ”Can you hear me?” The voice came from a loudspeaker set up in the hotel hall; Jackson spoke from his Neverland Ranch 50km away.
Fans screamed ”Innocent, innocent” and ”We love you, Michael”, to which the superstar answered: ”I love you more.”
They shrieked as Jackson told them: ”Welcome to California, I know you’ve travelled from around the world. Thanks for all your support, your prayers … your gifts and your caring. Thanks for believing in me, all of you.”
Jackson is on trial in Santa Maria on charges that he sexually molested a 13-year-old boy at Neverland two years ago.
Seany O’Kane, a chubby young Irishman clad in a red leather jacket similar to the one his idol wore in the Thriller video, was shaking with emotion.
”It feels like a big blur,” he said.
On Saturday night, he joined about 40 fans for a candlelight vigil at the gates of Neverland, where tears flowed as the supporters listened to some old Jackson hits.
He went back on Sunday because it was the birthday of Jackson’s daughter, Paris. The fans got no further than the gate of the fantasy-themed estate, but the 23-year-old Irishman was thrilled nonetheless. He left a stuffed toy for the girl.
”Sitting on the fence, you could hear birthday music. It was a beautiful feeling in my heart,” said O’Kane.
Corrie Bryson (42), a mother of eight and a hardcore fan, was there too. She is not only confident of Jackson’s innocence, but believes his trial is demonstrating it more every day.
She says she is not in the least worried that jurors will hear testimony this week about five other boys Jackson allegedly molested.
”I don’t feel nervous about it, those are false accusations and the public is going to find out. It’s a chance to clear everything up.”
But not all fans are entirely convinced of Jackson’s innocence.
”He is truly talented, whether he is innocent or guilty,” said Karen Kerr (43), who travelled from Los Angeles with her daughter Jade and her tap-dancing group, which performed at the pro-Jackson show.
She fervently hopes her idol did none of the lewd acts of which he is accused.
”I’ve been a Michael Jackson fan since I was a child. I would not like to see that memory tarnished at all.”
Michelle Rendon runs a hotel where many of the fans have set up residence, some for a few days or weeks, some for the duration of the trial. Every day she watches Jackson’s convoy pass en route to the courtroom.
”He drives past us, he sees us before he sees anything. Sometimes, he rolls down his window and waves,” said the 50-year-old woman, a boa draped around her neck and matching the pink of her hair.
She’s followed Jackson’s career since he was five.
”Before these people were ever born,” she said proudly, pointing to the young fans.
She’s not too sure what’s going on in the courtroom, but she too would like to see the eccentric superstar acquitted.
”I truly hope he is not guilty. Unique is good, weird does not make you a criminal.” — Sapa-AFP