KERNERSVILLE, N.C (WFMY) – In the summer of 2009, headlines everywhere shook the world.
Michael Jackson, the ‘King of Pop,’ had died at the age of 50.
“I was six months pregnant and I remember it was all over the news, him passing,” says Brittany Chilton, a mother of four from Kernersville.
August 29, 2018 marks what would’ve been Jackson’s 60th birthday.
That same year he died, Levi Jones was born.
Meeting the boy now would make you think he’s the “kid” MJ references in his major 1982 hit ‘Billie Jean.’
Except, Levi actually would be his son.
“Little Michael Jackson in the making,” said Chilton, Levi’s mom.
There is no reason for Levi, a 3rd grader at Piney Ridge Elementary School, to be so thrilled when he listens to the King of Pop.
“I just feel too excited,” Levi says about whenever one of Jackson’s songs comes on the radio.
But it all definitely makes sense to him.
“I think he’s obviously the greatest dancer in the world,” Levi shared in an interview with WFMY News 2. “I just say, “Who doesn’t like Michael Jackson?” in my head.”
It’s not just about the moves, though. Levi’s love for Michael Jackson has also helped him love himself.
“Everybody said that they really liked my curly hair and I really, really, really hated it,” Levi explained. “Now I actually like it because it looks a lot like his.”
“He’s not afraid to be different, which you know, some kids can be mean and pick on him or whatever, but he doesn’t care, it doesn’t bother him and he still stays passionate,” his mom added.
That same passion may even help him make a living one day.
“I’ve been wanting to do, whenever I grow up, is be a famous Michael Jackson dancer,” the 8-year-old said.
In the meantime, we know Levi won’t stop ‘til he gets enough, and that includes competing in the NBC show, America’s Got Talent, or performing for Ellen DeGeneres on her show.
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