I’VE NEVER HEARD ANYONE SAY THAT THEY DIDN’T LIKE MICHAEL JACKSON AS A PERFORMER, AND AFTER SEEING JOSE LUIS JORGE PERFORM ON YOUTUBE AND SPEAKING WITH HIM ON THE PHONE, I RATHER DOUBT THAT ANYONE WOULD BE ABLE TO SAY THEY DIDN’T LIKE JOSE. CAPTURING THE VERY ESSENCE OF MICHAEL JACKSON DURING HIS PERFORMANCES, HE POSSESS HIS OWN VERY SPECIAL PHILOSOPHY AND KARMA AND IS ONE OF THE MOST POSITIVE PEOPLE I’VE EVER INTERVIEWED.
From the very first moment I spoke to Jose, I couldn’t help but detect an air of excitement in his voice that proved to be quite contagious. His performances are exhilarating and filled with an energy that brings down the house.
It must have been really cool to see Michael Jackson on the Billboard Awards show the other night.
Yes…I almost started to cry when I saw it. I loved it, seeing people’s reactions. He was very, very, very inspiring.
I think that you’re better.
Oh my God, thank you very much!
How long have you been Michael Jackson?
Actually I started in the ‘80s. Back in the ‘80s I used to dance. I was a professional dancer and actor. Working in the gay clubs, some of the people in the show suggested
to me that I do Michael Jackson. My first reaction was “NO”; I didn’t want to do it, actually. I kept postponing it and postponing it until one of those days I said, OK, I wanna do it. I said, “I’m gonna do something different.”
The first time the people in the group that I was working with did everything – the costumes, the makeup, the wig – it was amazing. It was a lot of fun seeing people’s reactions about the show. Everything made me feel like I wanted to keep doing it. I mean, I’ve been working all around, Japan, China, South America.
The incident of doing Michael Jackson has changed my entire life.
How so?
Just because I wanted to become an actor, a professional dancer, a Puerto Rican superstar. But I went in another direction. I never thought I would be an impersonator.
Do you impersonate anyone else?
Doing Michael Jackson takes so much time, because he has so many details. When I do Michael Jackson, I want to create the costumes, the music, the dance. So all my focus is on doing all these things. I have people that help me with the costumes and things, but basically I try to do everything. It’s a lot of fun, but it’s a lot of work.
Before you began to impersonate Michael, were you a fan of his?
Actually, yes. Before I started doing Michael Jackson I loved his music, but when I actually started getting more information about him and seeing the person behind
the music, the way he was charming. So then I loved him.
You must have been devastated when you heard of his death.
Oh definitely, definitely. I couldn’t believe it. I couldn’t believe it. I thought I would have to start doing something different. A change. But the people’s reactions from the past shows were amazing. They loved the music, the dancing. I saw it as a new opportunity to reconnect with the action and the excitement that Michael Jackson showed the world.
Now, Jose, you said you started to do Michael in the ‘80s. How old were you, four?
I am ageless now, yeah. I stopped having birthdays.
Jose, are you gay?
I’m…open-minded. I think it’s all about love. Love yourself and love everything. You can have the option; we shouldn’t go by labels.I know you perform in many gay clubs. I am grateful to perform at gay clubs, but I also do birthday parties.
Where were you born and raised?
I was born and raised in Puerto Rico. Yes, a tropical Island. A beautiful Island. I remember when I was very young. I used to watch TV and wanted to be an actor and a dancer, but I never thought it could happen.
Were you formally trained to act and dance?
Yes. Actually, as an actor first.
When you do Michael, are you actually singing or lip syncing?
Lip syncing.
As you were growing up, who or what influenced you?
Oh my, many things. I liked musicals.
What’s your favorite color?
Purple. For some reason, purple. I love all the colors, but I have a connection with the color purple.
Favorite music besides Michael Jackson?
To perform, I prefer club music, like house music with a lot of beat, but I also like relaxing music when you can sit down and let your mind flow and be connected with nature.
When you get up each morning, what do you think about? What motivates you?
Oh, I’m just happy to be alive!
You talk a lot about “people’s reactions.” What do you like to see in your audiences?
The joy…the joy and the love. I think we are all connected with love. I think that sometimes we forget that our nature is to love and have compassion.
I love your karma. You are a very happy person.
Oh yes, definitely.
You seem to have fun with your life.
I think life is good. Sometimes we have some challenges, so we have to approach that at a different level.
What’s your favorite cocktail?
A little wine.
And what’s your sign?
Sagittarius…fire!
You have lot of energy.
Oh really? You know, sometimes I just like to be quiet. I like to meditate.
Anything that you would like us to promote?
I’m going to Puerto Rico, and then I have a couple of things coming, but now with the new album…I’m very excited. Especially for the young people and the new generation to experience Michael Jackson. Sometimes I perform for schools and those little kids… they are very excited about Michael Jackson. It’s amazing how connected they are with him.
So he lives through you.
I’m very excited to see what is coming next.
For those who are fans of Michael Jackson, and even for those who aren’t, Jose Luis Jorge is a MUST see.
