As sad as it sounds, with the passing of Michael Jackson, we all somehow knew that media would inundate us with one scandal after another about Jackson.  As the time of publication, the latest news was that his three children were not his biological children. This is just one more item in a long list including his finances, marriages, relationships, health and so on. 

Still, it did not matter to the audience attending the show, “American Superstars” at the Stratosphere June 26, one day after Jackson’s sudden passing. They were there to experience the tribute artists, especially the one honoring Michael Jackson.  Close to the stage sat a nine-year old Las Vegas native in full Jackson attire, including a wig, as he expressed his love and adoration for the King of Pop. 

Nicolas, a fifth-grade student, has emulated Jackson since the age five when he first grabbed a microphone with his tenor vocals of Jackson’s music and mimicked his dance moves.  This means that Jackson was 41 when Nicolas as born. When Nicolas started almost worshipping Jackson, it was during Jackson’s very public trial for allegedly molesting a young boy.  Obviously, Nicolas’ family believed in Jackson’s innocence and Nicholas saw Jackson as an icon, not a flawed man. 

So four years later, the quasi Pupil of Pop, (as blogger Jay Barber named him,) has won several talent contests at his East Las Vegas elementary school as Michael Jackson. It would appear that many people, adults and children alike, believed in Jackson and chose to ignore his trials and tribulations and celebrate his music instead. 

Nicolas did turned a few heads at the 6:30 p.m. performance of American Superstars. First, the Jackson impersonator "Damian" took the stage and asked for a moment of silence before opening with "Jam" from the 1991 "Dangerous" album. 

The Jackson tribute artist, just one-week into his gig at the Stratosphere, then walked into the audience toward Nicolas, seated at a table with his grandmother. The audience watched amazed as Nicolas demonstrated his obvious talent. It would have made Jackson proud. 

Dressed in a silk-screened, white t-shirt showing a younger Jackson, a sequined black jacket, black pants, sparkly socks and black shoes, a sequined glove on his right hand, and topped by a black Fedora with several Jheri-curled strands falling over his face, Nicolas was Michael Jackson.  

After the show, the audience raced to the foyer to have their photos taken with the tribute artists, especially with “Michael Jackson.”  The emotion, both sadness and joy, were expressed in the eyes of those being photographed as they stood next to Damian.  People clamored to get close to Damian, with cameras and phones poised to get those all-important photos to be uploaded and shared. 

Nicolas, standing at just over four feet, could not be overlooked. Many of the audience members also politely asked to be photographed with Nicholas and, despite his shyness, agreed and posed.  His grandmother beamed with pride. There was never a mention of scandals, of a trial, of pay-offs, of anything negative about Jackson. Only tears, smiles and memories of what Michael Jackson brought to each of us.  

Nicolas, with his family’s encouragement, will continue to honor Jackson. Who knows what the future will bring for this child. But Nicolas’ admiration for Jackson demonstrates the current mood of the American public towards Jackson.  It was a nearly sold out show, as the producers and performers of American Superstars proudly acknowledge their tribute to Jackson. While people might learn of the salacious details of Jackson’s life, they seek the genius of his dance and music, as demonstrated through the eyes of one child. 

American Superstars

Stratosphere Hotel and Casino

www.stratopsherehotel.com