Despite being born in a country with artists such as Elis Regina, Tim Maia, Chico Buarque and Caetano Veloso, among others, Lenny JaySince he was a child, he had as an object of veneration Michael Jacksonthe undisputed King of Pop who died in 2009.
Mimicking with the creator of eighties hits like Thriller or Billie Jean, the Brazilian performer, singer, dancer and musician performed for the third time in our country on December 17 with the show named “This Is Michael”which features Jennifer Batten, Michael Jackson’s original guitarist.
Born in São Luis, Lenny Jay lived for decades in Belo Horizonte, capital of Minas Gerais, in a family of musicians that always encouraged him to be an artistic and intellectual child, in the style of the youthful characters that populate Wes Anderson’s filmography.
Upon seeing Moonwalker, Lenny Jay realized that he could sing and dance at the same time, he began to try his first steps, the hobby became a profession and the rest was history.
Shy, cordial, with a certain Brazilian mischief that appears in dribs and drabs beneath a studied kindness, Lenny Jay welcomes NOTICIAS. His musical ability was fundamental and gave him the possibility of living a perpetual double life. As if Clark Kent went out through the neighborhoods to present a show dressed as Superman. But for the Brazilian there is no kryptonite that will make him give up on his dreams.
News: What is the first childhood memory you have of Michael Jackson’s music?
Lenny Jay: When I was seven years old, they gave me the BAD album on vinyl., Michael Jackson appeared on the cover as a very mysterious figure. When I played it I started on side B with “Another part of me” and every time I hear that song it’s like going back to childhood. At that moment I started singing his songs, I was crazy, passionate about Michael, it was like that all my life.
News: Have you already dreamed of imitating Michael Jackson?
Jay: At first it was just for fun, I was a lonely child. I liked being alone with music. The area I lived in had favelas, a lot of drugs, violence, Belo Horizonte was difficult at that time. After school I would go home, play Michael Jackson music all afternoon and dance. Now in a certain way I think it has saved my life, because that passion was transformed into a job that today allows me to travel all over the world. It’s living a dream for me and all thanks to Michael.
News: When did you start working doing shows as Lenny Jay?
Jay: Around 2010, after his departure as a tribute. I started with different events, birthdays, weddings, later came festivals, international shows and tours until it reached a point where I was living more in Europe than in Brazil and decided to move. I currently live in Italy, I reside in Milan with my wife, who is Italian-Brazilian.
News: Living in Milan, do you enjoy the world of fashion?
Jay: Yes, fashion is very strong in Milan. Coming from Brazil was something new because in my country there is not as strong a fashion presence as there, as soon as you arrive you clearly see that in Milan it is an important issue. All the people dress very well and over time I absorbed that quite a bit, I dress more like an Italian than a Brazilian (laughs).
News: Here a very popular Brazilian figure, especially for those who grew up in the 90s, is Xuxa. Did you get to know her?
Jay: Not personally, but I lived through that time in the 90s when I was on Brazilian TV every day. An interesting anecdote is that Michael Jackson met her in Brazil and Xuxa said that she proposed to him. Well, I don’t know, she says so (she laughs).
News: Apart from Michael Jackson, do you have any other figures that you admire on a musical level?
Jay: Yes, I really like Stevie Wonder, I find him incredible on every level, as a singer and composer. I also admire James Brown a lot, when I’m not listening to Michael I always listen to him. I think the best of music is in the 80s, Whitney Houston, Luther Vandross, all those classic artists can’t be missed.
News: Michael Jackson is someone who is greatly admired on an artistic level, but he is also a controversial figure. The impact of the documentary “Finding Neverland” at the time was very strong. At any point did you doubt how to continue honoring him with his work?
Jay: Before that documentary there were already FBI files, they investigated Michael’s life for ten years looking for anything that was suspicious or that would substantiate the accusations and rThey really didn’t find anything against him. According to justice, he is one hundred percent innocent and knowing that I never had any doubts..
News: “This is Michael” is a reunion with the Argentine public…
Jay: It was my third show in Buenos Aires, the first was at the Movistar Arena, the second at the Gran Rex which is a very beautiful place and this one is very special because Luna Park is a historical site. The Argentine public is closer and more loving than elsewhere. The first time I came we had a meeting with Michael’s Argentine fans that was great, I felt they were very friendly and I appreciate it very much because it is a very demanding fandom.
News: You put your body on Michael Jackson, from the physical to the gestural. What is that job like?
Jay: I do a lot of physical training, regarding my face I never modified my features to look like him, it’s just makeup. But it is something quite arduous, to transform myself I need two hours of makeup, you have to create a play of lights and shadows so that it looks more similar. There is a Brazilian company that takes care of my wardrobe. The clothes are essential because it is a two-hour show singing and dancing, I do a little more than 20 songs. I am the same height as Michael but I had to lose 14 kg to reach his weight. So when the audience sees me on stage, there is this illusion of being in front of Michael Jackson.
News: Speaking of hope, does Lula’s return mean hope for the Brazilian people?
Jay: Politics in my country is very complicated, there is no easy reading. I think that the results of the efforts can be better evaluated after a while, it takes at least two years, so for now we are all expectant.
by Leonardo Martinelli
