New-gen influencers are obsessed with recreating hit Michael Jackson performances - including 13-year-old girl from Stoke-on-Trent

He was known as the King of Pop - and despite past controversies which mired his legacy - it appears the crown is still very firmly on Michael Jackson's head. The late singer, who passed away in 2009, made a flurry of hits, from Thriller, to Smooth Criminal and Beat It. And although he recorded his last album, Invincible, in 2001, 24 years later there are aspiring performers as young as three years old who are still absolutely obsessed with the star.

Social media has seen a wave of Gen Alpha and Gen Z impersonators, who don the hitmaker's signature hat and glitzy suits while moonwalking and high-kicking their way through renditions of Billie Jean. Children from all over the world are mad for Michael, including one 13-year-old girl who does a tribute act to the singer in pubs across the country. Tiffany Jackson, who calls herself the 'UK's female MJ' lives in Stoke-on-Trent, wows crowds with her impression of the idol.

Her performance, dubbed The Return of Jackson, can feature two 45-minute sets with '100 per cent live vocals' from Tiffany. Sometimes, she is also joined by guitarist Matt Swan - who dresses up like musician Slash while on stage. Tiffany Jackson, who calls herself the 'UK's female MJ' lives in Stoke-on-Trent, wows crowds with her impression of the idol. Speaking to Radio Erewash Sound Derbyshire in December, Tiffany - who has recently revealed that she will be taking part in Britain's Got Talent - explained that she had been 'a fan of Michael Jackson her entire life'.

It was by chance that she discovered her passion for impersonating him. She explained: 'One day I was at school and I just started singing a Michael Jackson song randomly and they told me I sounded like Michael'. Speaking to Radio Erewash Sound Derbyshire in December, Tiffany - who has recently revealed that she will be taking part in Britain's Got Talent - explained that she had been 'a fan of Michael Jackson her entire life' because she grew up with her family listening to it.

It was by chance that she discovered her passion for impersonating him. She explained: 'One day I was at school and I just started singing a Michael Jackson song randomly and they told me I sounded like Michael. 'I took an interest to it, and I started looking into it. I thought, this is cool, I can do that.'. 'I do design my own outfits,' she added, but also said she gets a lot of her kit from Amazon.

Elsewhere across the Atlantic is Sebastián Suarez, from Ecuador, who is now 18 - but was 16 when he went viral for his impressive MJ-inspired dance moves, and even took part in a contest, sporting the signature diamond glove ensemble. Landon Dickerson Jr. from Texas - known on social media Boopsalot - was only three years old when he appeared on Jennifer Hudson 's talk show in 2022 to demonstrate his dancing skills, dressed like Michael.

Meanwhile, in New Zealand , it's Shaunlindsay Kiwara-Harrington, 18, that was at nine years old not only one of Gisborne's youngest buskers, but also MJ impersonators. Speaking to fan site MJ Vibe in 2022, the teenager said he had been a fan of Michael's since he was six years old and decided to try and perfect his choreography during the pandemic. Sebastián - who has been dubbed 'the Ecuadorian Michael Jackson' online also discovered his voice's similarity to the King of Pop after his rendition of Billie Jean impressed classmates at a talent show.

'I don't want this to end, I never imagined that I was going to be the sensation on social networks, my dream is to be a singer and record with great artists,' he said. 'Now I require the support of people. I am motivated to learn the English language more and improve pronunciation.'. He currently has more than 1.8 million followers across his social networks. Meanwhile, in New Zealand, it's Shaunlindsay Kiwara-Harrington, 18, that was at nine years old not only one of Gisborne's youngest buskers, but also MJ impersonators.

His family was still promoting his MJ-themed dance performances on TikTok in 2022, and in 2016, his mother told MJ Vibe that he became a bit of a celebrity around town, having performed outside stores since he was seven years old. 'We tried contacting talent agencies around New Zealand but we realised it would take too long for him to get a chance, so he started busking to get himself noticed,' the parent added.

Elsewhere across the Atlantic is Sebastián Suarez, from Ecuador, who is now 18 - but was 16 when he went viral for his impressive MJ-inspired dance moves, and even took part in a contest, sporting the signature diamond glove ensemble. Sebastián - who has been dubbed 'the Ecuadorian Michael Jackson' online also discovered his voice's similarity to the King of Pop after his rendition of Billie Jean impressed classmates at a talent show.