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Sharon Cain
Time for Life Correspondent
4:37 PM 18th November 2018
arts

World’s Top Michael Jackson Tribute Thrills Alhambra Audience

 
Navi - the world's No 1 Michael Jackson impersonator - didn’t stop until the Alhambra audience had had enough - leaving them whooping and shouting for more.

The 46-year-old Trinidadian-born performer, the only tribute to receive a standing ovation by the King of pop, smashed the Alhambra gig with eternal hits including ‘Beat It’, ‘Thriller’, ‘Don’t Stop Till You Get Enough’ and ‘Man in The Mirror’.

Stunning staging, lavish lighting, authentic costumes, talented band and a trio of cool dancers enhanced the winning formula.

At no point does Navi let us forget that Jackson was the real star - “There is only ONE Michael Jackson” he emphasised - as the screen filled with footage and pictures reinforcing Jackson’s diverse talent and skills range.

Commissioned as Michael Jackson’s official body double, the enigmatic superstar booked Navi to perform at two of his lavish birthday parties in New York and Los Angeles, giving him a standing ovation which was captured live on film by a local news crew. Navi said: "To meet Michael was one thing, but to perform in front of the greatest entertainer of all time and to perform his songs was no easy feat and extremely nerve-wracking."

His passion to look more like his idol has entailed Navi undergoing several plastic surgery operations between 1992, when he first met Jackson, and 2012 - which Navi has been very open about. Highlights of his 30-year career include being invited to spend a day with Jackson at Neverland - visiting his cinema, zoo, sampling a few of the theme park rides and enjoying a barbeque.

Since Jackson’s death in 2009, Navi has continued to work alongside the MJJ Estate and has performed his tribute worldwide in 59 different countries. He also played the starring role in the film ‘Searching for Neverland,' based on the last three years of Jackson’s life.

Navi regaled the audience with fascinating insights into hair-raising experiences as his hero’s decoy, so Jackson could avoid the crowds which included a scary incident in Thailand in 1993 when around two and a half thousand people were chasing him.

Commanding a standing ovation from the audience ranging from age 7 to 70 plus, the show most definitely goes on - continuing at Weymouth, November 24, Bacup November 30 - December 1, Motherwell, December 2 and Neath, December 8.
If you’re looking for a dynamic tribute to Jackson - a prolific songwriter, singer and dancer - you’ve ‘Got to be there’.

For more information on Navi’s future performances visit https://www.ents24.com/uk/tour-dates/navi-as-michael-jackson
For future performances at the Alhambra, visit https://www.bradford-theatres.co.uk/whats-on