When Brett Nichols, a teenager with no formal dance training, showcased his talent at his school’s talent show, he had no inkling that the video of his performance would take the internet by storm.
At 17, the Pitman High School junior had been dancing for nine years and aimed to present a special performance for his friends.
“I just figured my friends, they work really hard and encourage me, and I figured this is more for them than it is for me,” he shared with Turlock City News.
Dressed in a classic black suit, black hat, and white gloves, Nichols channeled his inner Michael Jackson, ready to dance and moonwalk to Jackson’s hit, “Billie Jean.”
The moonwalk, synonymous with Michael Jackson, was not his creation.
As performer Toni Basil mentioned to Biography, “In the street, it was old news.
The Electric Boogaloos were doing it on Soul Train in the 1970s.”
Jackson learned the moonwalk from choreographer Jeffrey Daniel, but his innate dancing abilities lent the move a polished and perfect flair.
Despite not being the inventor of the moonwalk, Jackson played a significant role in its popularization during a live performance of Billie Jean.
This moment is celebrated for bridging the divide between West Coast street dance and East Coast break dancers, marking a significant event in dance history.
It propelled the moonwalk into mainstream dance, where it continues to be honored and relived through performances like Nichols’.
As the music begins, Nichols instantly captivates the audience, eliciting cheers from the crowd.
He impeccably embodies Jackson, executing the choreography with effortless grace and fluidity.
Mimicking Jackson’s iconic hip thrusts and high-kicks, Nichols leaves no stone unturned in his performance.
When Jackson’s vocals start in the track, the teenager seamlessly grabs a mic from the stand in front of him, lip-syncing to the lyrics.
His movements, precise and on-point, make him a mesmerizing sight on stage.
The climax of his performance, a flawless moonwalk, sends the crowd into a frenzy of cheers and applause.
The video of Nichols’ extraordinary performance was shared on the school’s Facebook page.
It caught the attention of alumnus Jaydeep Bhatia, who further shared it on Reddit.
“I just knew it belonged on Reddit and the rest is history,” Bhatia remarked in an interview cited by Huffington Post.
MTV later showcased the footage, lauding Nichols and stating he “does Michael Jackson better than Michael Jackson’s [Billboard Music Awards] hologram.”
The buzz didn’t stop there.
Jackson’s estate noticed the performance, sending Nichols two copies of Jackson’s posthumous album and an invitation to the Michael Jackson Cirque de Soleil show in Las Vegas. An elated Nichols expressed, “It’s really exciting that I’m being recognized by such an iconic family in American history.”
Even years after Nichols’ performance, the video resurfaces online, continuing to amaze viewers.
Comments on the video echo the awe and admiration of viewers.
Phrases like “That moonwalk!”, “Got chills down my entire body when he did that moonwalk! Flawless!”, and “Michael Jackson would have been proud,” fill the comment section, highlighting the lasting impact of Nichols’ tribute to the King of Pop.
Brett Nichols’ incredible routine stands as a testament to his talent and the enduring legacy of Michael Jackson’s artistry.
His performance, resonating with many, continues to garner attention and admiration, proving the timeless appeal of exceptional talent and dedication to craft.
His moves are impressive, watch below!
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