Image Credits: Claire @ Flash Gordon Photography
Daniel “Dantanio” Goodman’s Michael Jackson impersonation is so good an audience member who had seen the real King of Pop seven times couldn’t tell the difference.
The South African born performer takes on the role he has been waiting his entire life for in the Michael Jackson HIStory Show currently touring New Zealand.
“I have always wanted to be Michael on a world stage,” Dantanio said in a soft voice reminiscent of Michael but with a South African twang.
The connection to Michael Jackson, who died in 2009, is spiritual, he said.
“He has influenced so many areas of my life.”
Dantanio got his first taste of Jackson when his older brother brought home a copy of Thriller on cassette which Dantanio stole and played on repeat.
“I’ve always emulated him from a young age ever since I saw him dancing.”
Dantanio started to perfect his impersonation and sent videos of his performances all around the world to touring companies.
He was almost ready to give up when he got a call back from Showtime Australia.
“When you want something really bad and it feels like it’s never going to happen you just never give up.”
The key to Dantanio’s Michael Jackson comes from this early fascination with the record selling pop star.
“It helps that I started at such a young age.
“But you have to let yourself go, that’s the key.
“Forget everything, become the music, become the person, become Michael.”
By 15 Dantanio was doing performances at his school as Michael Jackson and getting similar reactions to the King of Pop.
“I had girls crying and screaming when I sang ‘The Way You Make Me Feel’, it was crazy.”
His transformation takes two and a half hours and by the end of it Dantanio no longer exists.
“You look into the mirror and you walk out of the dressing room and everyone’s like ‘woah’.
“You become Michael Jackson.”
However it’s not always easy emulating the biggest entertainer of all time.
“They want to see more, they want to see better.
“It’s very hard because I can never be Michael Jackson but I can continue to push myself.”
The Michael Jackson HIStory Show plays at TSB Showplace in New Plymouth on Saturday March 3.
Tickets available via Ticketek.