Christopher Gaspar: Michael's "Little Twin"
By Valmai Owens Thu, Dec 02, 2010
Christopher Gaspar, talented artist and VIP on the Michael Jackson Tribute Portrait, has gained a large following for his remarkable representation of Michael Jackson’s performances. He shares with us the inspiration behind his becoming Europe's Official Michael Jackson Impersonator, and talks about Michael 4Ever, The Show.
As a young boy growing up in France, I wasn't very aware of Michael at that time. I first became a fan of Michael Jackson when my brothers had a house party with their friends and I heard the album Off the Wall.
I have to say that I really became a fan with his release of Thriller, and that's when I first became interested in learning his moves and wanting to dance like him. Once I became a fan, I remained a fan forever. Friends and acquaintances started to ask me to do the choreography for Michael's music because they thought I was the best they'd ever seen. So I started doing choreography and doing my makeup to look like Michael. I had friends in the business and they helped me to find a costumiere, and they designed my first outfit which was for "Bad."
When I first began performing as Michael in 1988, there weren't any agencies in France who represented the Michael image. I was originally supposed to go to the United States as a foreign exchange student. Prior to leaving to go to Florida, I saw a cabaret and I was very interested in dance and the whole music scene. I had applied for a part in a cabaret and I got a call saying come the next day for an audition.
I went to the audition and they loved me. They asked me to do Michael Jackson and that's when my career took off. I called the family in Florida that I was supposed to stay with for my schooling and said, "I won't be coming; I have a job dancing as Michael Jackson and I really want to do this." I began my professional career as Michael in 1988, and joined MJJ Productions in 1992 to perform as Michael Jackson in France and all of Europe. I am the Official European Michael Jackson Impersonator to this day.
Performer, singer, dancer and actor, I am best known for my uncanny incarnation of the King of Pop through my live performances (Pepsi, Fuji, PKC at the Zenith in Paris), my participation in clips ( Mylène Farmer "Que Mon Coeur Lâche" ("Let my heart coward) which was unanimously welcomed and accepted by Michael Jackson’s public.
I established myself as the playmaker for this trip evident in the most beautiful moments in the history of Pop.
Meeting Michael Jackson was the highlight of my career. He referred to me as his "Little Twin.” Being in his presence was like being with someone who had God on his side. He was angelic and a real down-to-earth, honest, full-of-life, loving person. Although we met on several occasions, our meetings were short, but time seemed to stand still. He was very busy, but always took the time to make you feel welcomed and loved.
My inspiration came from the way he performed and how he would get wrapped up in his music and dance, like they were the only thing in the world that mattered at that moment. I was inspired by his unselfish ways, his humanity, his outlook on life, so upbeat and positive even though it was clear that life was extremely difficult at times.
Five years ago, I put away my dance shoes and stopped performing as Michael. He was no longer performing and out of respect for him, I did the same. I was so excited to hear in 2009 that Michael would be making a comeback in London. Sadly, on that dreadful day in June, we lost Michael forever. This is when I made a decision to make my own comeback, a Tribute to the King of Pop, not for myself but for him, the person who I most admired in this whole world. I came back and put my dancing shoes back on out of respect for our Legend.
If there is one thing I am most proud of, it would be my costumes. My costumes are 100% replicas of Michael's costumes. They were all hand-made by my own costumiere (my designer) and very authentic. I can't tell you how many hours were spent by my designer and my family making these outfits. It was very labor-intensive, but very much worth the time and cost of putting them together. I take pride in being Europe's Official Michael Jackson Impersonator and that means representing Michael in the best possible way.
My show, Michael 4Ever, is just kicking off, with great response from both Michael's fans and mine. My first show was on June 11, 2010, at the Casino de Paris and it was a hit. I immediately had calls asking for interviews and I had several TV appearances that followed. I am currently working with my partners to bring my show on tour. My first tour date is set for November 28, 2010, at the Zenith in Paris. I am also confident that I will take my tour into the United States, which is a thrill for me since the very first show I did for Michael was in Florida (sadly I haven't been back since).
My show isn't about making money; rather it's to honor and respect the man who enriched all of our lives with his music, dance and humanitarianism. I will continue to honor him until I am no longer able to do so. I am extremely happy that I can make the fans happy by bringing a little of Michael back into their lives, even though it's only for a short time. I truly believe that he left such an impact on all of our lives, and I want to bring some happiness to their lives when there is so much sorrow in the world.
Lastly, I want to dedicate my show to Michael. I say this to him, "Michael, I-we-love you so much and you are sadly missed. I will do everything in my power to honor, respect and love you as you should be loved. This world is lost without you, but I am doing my best to keep your dream alive. You are, and will forever be, our King!”
Christopher Gaspar
Michael 4Ever, The Show
Official Michael Jackson Impersonator (France)
*Another proof that MJ used official doubles.
This article came from the MJ Tribute Portrait site
