Abstract: This month’s MJ Studies Today column looks at the use of Michael Jackson’s music by various athletes competing in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, plus the announcement of delegates from Indiana that their state was “the home of Michael Jackson” while broadcasting his music at this year’s Democratic National Convention. Kerry Hennigan considers the importance of such usage and recognition of Jackson and his work for the longevity of his creative legacy.
Column by Kerry Hennigan, editor of the free monthly newsletter A Candle for Michael, administrator of the fan group “Michael Jackson’s Short Film Ghosts” on Facebook, and an MJ blogger on WordPress. Kerry is a life-long student, has Certificates in the Archaeology of the Ancient World and the Archaeology of Ancient Britain from Cambridge University in the UK and is currently focused on the Viking Age and the overland and maritime Silk Roads.
REFERENCE AS:
Hennigan, Kerry. “MJ Studies Today CV: ‘How beautiful is that?’ Moonwalking underwater: Michael Jackson’s inspirational presence at the Paris Olympics 2024.” (14-09-2024). The Journal of Michael Jackson Academic Studies Vol 11, No. 1 (2024). https://sya.rqu.mybluehost.me/website_94cbf058/mj-studies-today-cv/
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“How beautiful is that?” Moonwalking underwater: Michael Jackson’s inspirational presence at the Paris Olympics 2024. By Kerry Hennigan
Photo montage © Kerry Hennigan
As his entry in the Songwriters Hall of Fame reminds us, “Michael Jackson spent four decades as a songwriter, performer, recording artist and public figure, and will be remembered as a consistent musical innovator and stylistic trendsetter.” [1] While his fans and pop music lovers have never forgotten nor underestimated the King of Pop’s iconic status in popular entertainment, this year, with the help of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games – and Jackson’s birth state of Indiana – the rest of the world has been reminded.
Michael Jackson fans have been pushing back against false allegations and misplaced “cancel culture” ever since the “Leaving Neverland” bombshell landed in 2019. Consequently, they would surely have been delighted and reassured to hear so much of his music being used for various routines in the Paris Olympics. The songs “Beat It,” “In The Closet,” “Thriller” and “Smooth Criminal,” accompanied Olympians from different countries, some dressed in outfits inspired by Jackson’s costumes, as they competed in their respective events.
The US Artistic Swimming team, who won the Silver medal for their MJ-inspired routine, even did a watery version of the moonwalk as part of their choreography to “Smooth Criminal.” (They had previously won Bronze with this routine at the World Aquatics Championships 2023 in Japan.) In an interview given after this year’s Olympic success, the team explained that because they were performing to Michael Jackson, they felt they had to include the moonwalk in their routine! [2][3]
Hearing the spectators clapping and stamping along with the music as Rhythmic Gymnast Taisiia Onofriichuk (Ukraine) performed her hoop routine to “Thriller,” complete with some Thriller-style moves, [4] would have been similarly reassuring to the Jackson faithful who will be satisfied with nothing less than his complete vindication in the eyes of the world. Whether or not the various performances won medals, to MJ fans the athletes in question were winners for their choice of music, costumes and choreography.
In addition to being circulated on social media, videos of the MJ-inspired performances were screened at the Q&A event hosted by the Michael Jackson Estate at their annual Michael Jackson birthday party in Las Vegas on August 28. Held in the Cirque du Soleil Michael Jackson One Theatre at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, and live streamed for fans everywhere, the Q&A was hosted by Estate representative Karen Langford with special guests Rich and Tone Tualuaga. The brothers first began working with Jackson as dancers back in 1995 when still in their teens. Referring to the Olympics footage, Rich Tualuaga said, “How amazing is it that in the 2024 Olympics, Michael Jackson’s music is being used on the global level of competition. How beautiful is that?” [5]
Following the Olympics videos, Karen introduced a clip showing delegates from the state of Indiana at the Democratic National Convention held in Chicago, August 19-22. Not only was “Don’t Stop Till You Get Enough” blasting out over the crowd during Indiana’s turn at the podium, but amongst the state’s many claims to fame, the audience was told loudly and proudly that it was “the home of Michael Jackson.” [6] The place of Jackson’s birth (Gary, Indiana) is well known to his millions of fans, some of whom have travelled considerable distances to visit the two-bedroom house on Jackson Street. But, for those at the convention or watching on TV who didn’t know or had forgotten Michael Jackson’s humble origins, the Indiana delegates proclaimed it against a soundtrack of his music in footage that has now been seen around the world.
All the video footage cited above has played a timely role in reinforcing Jackson’s legacy as a perennially popular entertainer, irrespective of the number of decades that have elapsed since Michael initially recorded, filmed or performed the works in question. The art’s iconic and timeless status is beyond dispute given its use and performance references in 2024 – fifteen years after the artist’s death.
As for the young women of the US artistic swimming team, a wholly appropriate codicil for them was a visit to Broadway in New York to see a performance of MJ: the Musical at the Neil Simon Theatre. In addition to receiving a “shout-out” from the stage, the team enjoyed meeting cast members and comparing routines – like that underwater, upside down moonwalk! The occasion was nicely captured on film and published online by Broadway World. [7]
Michael Jackson once said, “Great music, and great melodies are immortal. We still listen to Mozart today, Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff – any of the greats. It’s like a great piece of sculpture, or a great painting – it’s forever.” [8] That is certainly proving to be the case of his own art as well, which is being appreciated and interpreted in ways he probably never imagined, but would surely have loved.
Kerry Hennigan
14 September 2024
Sources:
[1] Songwriters Hall of Fame. “Michael Jackson.” Retrieved 6 Sep 2024 from https://www.songhall.org/profile/Michael_Jackson
[2] USA Today. “Moonwalking under waler…” 8 Aug 2024. https://www.usatoday.com/videos/sports/olympics/2024/08/08/moonwalking-under-water-the-us-artistic-swimming-team-did-just-that/74728594007/
[3] Olympics. USA Perform to Michael Jackson | Artistic Swimming | #Paris2024 Highlights. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1G1R2IwUBVo&t=29s
[4] My Modern Met. “Ukrainian Rhythmic Gymnast’s ‘Thriller’ Hoop Routine Goes Viral.” 12 Aug 2024 https://mymodernmet.com/rhythmic-gymnast-thriller-routine-taisiia-onofriichuk/
[5] Video of Q&A at MJ’s birthday event, Las Vegas, 29 Aug 2024. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmFnIHHoxvY&t=961s
[6] Ibid.
[7] Broadway World. “US Women’s Olympic Artistic Swim Team visits MJ: the Musical.” 06 Sep 2024. https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/PhotosVideo-US-Womens-Olympic-Artistic-Swim-Team-Visits-MJ-THE-MUSICAL-20240906
[8] michaeljackson.com “Michael Jackson on timeless music.” Retrieved 8 Sep 2024 from https://www.michaeljackson.com/au/news/michael-jackson-on-timeless-music/
Illustration: “moonwalking…” photo montage compiled by Kerry Hennigan using PhotoScape X Pro software. No infringement of original photographic copyright is intended in this not-for-profit, educational exercise.