A Michael Jackson "tribute artist" performing in Melbourne says he was approached to perform in a British comedy show that had an episode cancelled this week amid controversy over Anglo actor JosephFiennes' portrayal of the late singer.
Damian Brantley, part of the Las Vegas show Legends in Concert at The Palms at Crown, said he had been offered a role in the Sky Arts comedy Urban Myths but turned it down because he "didn't like what the storyline was portraying".
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Brantley said his name had been put forward by Jackson's family for the episode of Urban Myths.
"This is a rough one because people hate to hear the real [sic], but it's the truth: the family would more than likely prefer someone of their – at least partial – ethnic background portraying their son," Brantley told Fairfax Media.
Brantley has a white mother and black father, who was also a musician and performer, touring with BB King and starring in a Little Richard tribute show in Vegas.
"They [Jackson's family] asked for me personally because they knew me ... I'd known them for a long time.
"There were several people in the running. For them [the show's producers] to pick the gentleman that was fully caucasian – I mean, that's a director's choice, it's their project, but I'm sure that the family's not happy with it."
Brantley said he respected Fiennes' decision to take the opportunity but that he wasn't the best man for the role.
![Legends in concert: Adele (JC Brando), Michael Jackson (Damian Brantley), Madonna (Kim Goltry), Elvis Presley (Kevin ...](/web/20170126171756im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/t/p/y/z/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gttxqc.png/1484791179077.jpg)
"You're talking about someone who does it [impersonates] probably almost never," he said. "We know the talent, we know who the top five [Michael Jackson impersonators] in the world are, and while I mean no disrespect to this gentleman, he's definitely not in the top five. He's not even close."
Sky Arts and the Michael Jackson Estate have been contacted for comment.
![Joseph Fiennes as Michael Jackson.](/web/20170126171756im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/p/w/y/0/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gttxqc.png/1484791179077.jpg)
Brantley has been performing his tribute act for more than 20 years, with audiences regularly astounded by his moon walking skills. The dimples are natural, but he does change the shape of his nose with a nick of tape, and contoured make-up.
He and many of his co-stars in the Legends in Concert franchise – which has, astoundingly, been running in Las Vegas and around the world since 1983, last visiting Melbourne 15 years ago – have had the honour of meeting their tributes in person.
He's definitely not in the top five. He's not even close.
Michael Jackson tribute artist Damian Brantley on Joseph Fiennes
Both he and David Brighton, who plays David Bowie, had honed their acts long before the men they portrayed died.
Brantley said he met Jackson on several occasions, and that Jackson and his family had come to see him perform.
![Damian Brantley performing as Michael Jackson in Legends in Concert.](/web/20170126171756im_/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/u/1/y/n/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gttxqc.png/1484791179077.jpg)
While their passing was heartbreaking they said demand for their acts skyrocketed in the wake of the stars' deaths.
"It exploded to the point where we couldn't keep up with it and it got very overwhelming, like a little flood," said Brighton in his thick Californian accent.
Brighton filmed an ad with Bowie in 2003, playing various incarnations of the singer with the real Bowie as himself.
Other acts on the bill include Adele, Elvis, Madonna and Prince.
Legends in Concert is on at The Palms at Crown until January 29.
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