It was Houcine from Star Academy 2 who surprised us by popping into the dressing rooms after a show.

Houcine is a huge fan of Michael Jackson, and has even put together his own Michael Jackson tribute show.

Gérard Sibelle has passed away, but he will live on forever in the hearts of many in the performing arts. His kindness, his humanity, his wit.

I wanted to pay tribute to him by publishing this extract from my university dissertation.

As I wrote those lines, I was smiling; today, I’m crying.

13 August 1994 – in a dressing room in Ruoms.

My Pygmalions: Gérard Sibelle, head of promotion at RMC, producer, talent scout and creator.

Gérard Sibelle is a very charismatic man.

The RMC office is situated on the second floor of an upmarket building on Rue de la République.

The secretary is keeping me waiting; my hands are sweaty.

He gave me a warm welcome; we spoke about Nantua, the Ain, Bourg-en-Bresse, and his current protégé, the artist Laurent Gerra, and offered me – an unexpected stroke of luck for me – the chance to be the support act for stars of yesterday and today, as he put it.

That day, he went on to explain his proposal by asking me three things:

I am available on 9 October 1993 from 3 pm to 7 pm.

If I’d like to play in front of 2,500 people

If I know Dave...

He offered me a generous fee after I answered «yes» to those three questions, and that’s how I found myself celebrating the 10th anniversary of Part-Dieu station on Radio Monte Carlo’s stage truck, as Dave’s special guest.

The term «American headliner» has nothing to do with the nationality of the person I’m impersonating: it’s the expression used to refer to the artist who will perform just before the main act

.I watch Gérard Sibelle every time, and I learn a great deal

Later, from 1993 to 1999, with a single phone call he booked me onto major stages to support these American stars – singers whose glory days were behind them but who still attracted a sizeable audience (Herbert Léonard, Dave, etc.) alongside boy bands and the latest female singers (Alliage, G-Squad, Larusso).

Gérard Sibelle manages me on these stages, and I quickly notice the respect he commands, thanks to the rigour and precision of his work on the ground.

Indeed, I am learning the ins and outs of the trade and the hierarchy of tasks and people within this regional show business scene.

For example, when I arrive behind the stage, I locate my dressing room and check how far it is from the stage. After greeting everyone, I head straight to the control room to hand over my soundtrack, along with a carefully written lighting cue sheet in large print (as the stage managers work in the dark once the auditorium lights have been switched off).

I watch, I learn and I keep quiet.

My job was to turn up on time for «soundcheck» – a word I pretended to understand once or twice back then, before anyone explained what it meant to me.

«Balances» are the moments a sound engineer sets aside for you to test your audio track and adjust the volume balance between the monitor speakers (the speakers at your feet) and the front-of-house speakers (the speakers positioned on stage facing the audience).

Rehearsals are used to go over my entrance, the interludes, and my exit – which is also crucial for a performance.

November 2019 – Maison du Peuple, Pierre Bénite.

I will never forget you.

I learnt a great deal from him as a professional, but he also knew how to speak to people on a personal level, from one human being to another.

Because, in fact, the first thing he’d ever ask when he met you was, »How are you?», a genuine »how are you?«…

Thank you, Artist.

Thinking of his family, Théo and Thomas.

Recently, I had the pleasure of being invited to take part in a brand-new television programme.

During that recording, I had the good fortune and honour of meeting some of my idols, with whom I even shared the stage for the duration of the programme.

I might as well tell you that it was quite a special moment for me!

Before I reveal the broadcast date in a few weeks’ time and tell you a bit more about this wonderful adventure, I’d like to share a few memories of that day with you.

And what could be better than a few selfies? I’ll be sharing them with you regularly here on the blog!

To start with, here are my first two encounters: Jamy Gourmaud, the unforgettable face of *C’est pas sorcier*, and Laurent Baffie, who needs no introduction….

.Two people I was really pleased to meet…

Other artists were there to give their performances…

In 2007 and 2009, I created and organised two major events in Villeurbanne, near Lyon, entirely dedicated to Michael Jackson: Michael Jackson Night I and II. I wanted to use the name of the party organised by NRJ on the eve of the concerts in Lyon and Paris. A simple title that resonates with people.

My aim was to bring together the Michael Jackson fans centred on their shared passion, through shows, dance and singing competitions, exhibitions, get-togethers and various events.

Nearly 700 fans at each event

The first Michael Jackson Night took place on 6 October 2007, followed by a second edition on 10 April 2009.

Each event was attended by around 700 people, from all over France, but also from Belgium, Switzerland and Monaco.

Up to 80 artists and participants One after another, dancers, singers, lookalikes and comedians took to the stage. The first edition featured around 4 hours and 30 minutes of entertainment, whilst the second ran for nearly 8 hours of entertainment.

A human story centred on Michael Jackson

Every night, Michael Jackson performed for around eight months of preparation and involved around forty people on the day of the event.

Beyond the figures, what I remember most of all are the hundreds of enthusiasts gathered in one place to celebrate music, dance and the world of Michael Jackson.

I had personally asked Aphrodite Jones, a famous American journalist, to send me about ten copies of her book: *MICHAEL JACKSON CONSPIRACY*, the plot against Michael Jackson. This enabled me to give these books away to the fans who were there.

For me, those two evenings remain an extraordinary experience, created by a fan, for fans.

France 2 was even there that evening for MICHAEL JACKSON NIGHT 1

REPORT: MICHAEL JACKSON II NIGHT

On the website, you’ll find a whole page dedicated to these events, featuring photos and articles.

MICHAEL JACKSON: THE NIGHT 1 AND 2

You might be surprised… But if I told you that I shared my dressing room at the Moulin Rouge with some lion cubs… You certainly wouldn’t believe me!

Of course, accompanied by a professional at the Moulin Rouge, we were lucky enough to meet these magnificent lion cubs just a few minutes before our performance on stage.

It naturally made me think of Michael Jackson and his wild animals – for the *Thriller* album, in his park or whilst on tour in South Africa.

Hélène Ségara is celebrating 30 years in the business with *Hélène Ségara & Friends*, an album on which she revisits her greatest hits in duets with artists including Julien Doré, Florent Pagny, Garou and Laura Pausini. The album was released on 28 August 2026.

I had the great pleasure of meeting her on a TV programme. She’d chosen me to represent her team, and we beat the opposing team 😉

She is one of those singers with a great voice – one of France’s greatest voices.

Today, 29 August 2026, Michael Jackson would have turned 68.

What would he be doing today? A film director? A songwriter for other artists? A business leader in the new technologies sector?

We’ll never know.

For his 68th birthday, I think I’ve got a surprise in store for you!

! Have you heard of Struts?

It’s London rock-pop with a blend of Freddy Mercury and Mick Jagger. .

And I reckon they’re big Michael Jackson fans!

Here they are performing their cover of ‘Stranger in Moscow’, or in a duet with Paris, or in a brilliant cover of ‘Dancing in the Streets’ – a Motown classic (Martha and the Vandellas)!

Enjoy!

Finally, Paul McCartney has just released the video for ‘Say Say Say’ in 4K quality to mark MJ’s birthday! What a brilliant and classy gesture on his part…

He remains the benchmark for French rap. He is more than a rapper; he is also a poet, and his lyrics are studied academically. I had the chance to perform my show in...

I had the chance to perform my show as the opening act for this great gentleman and later meet him again. With his kindness and sense of humour, I asked him, as I often do, to wear one of my costume jackets.

Of course, we talked at length about Michael Jackson, whom he naturally admires.

Here with my team of dancers and MC Solaar.

He also captures wonderfully, and with humour, what it is like to be an artist growing older…

A masterpiece: Sonotone

In 2008 and 2009, I no longer wanted to drink Coca-Cola Zero!

I was therefore given the opportunity to launch my own drink, a Swiss product made with green tea, presented in a 250 ml can featuring the colours of my “Dance, Passion & Fire” universe.

This project notably echoed the famous Michael Jackson Mystery Drink, launched several years earlier, in 1996, during his HIStory World Tour, in collaboration with his manager, Dieter Wiesner.

I wanted to create something fun as a nod to Michael’s drink, while also replicating the slim shape of its can.

This drink contained no guarana or added caffeine—just chilled green tea. Simple and not too sweet.

Available in 2 designs.

It was sold for €2 at the refreshment stands in every venue where I performed. Audience members could then have their cans signed at the end of the show.

A unique and short-lived adventure that remains a cherished memory from my journey to this day.

It is worth noting that Michael was not the first to launch his own drink. His father, Joe Jackson, had already released his own JOE COLA!

My performances include shows lasting 1 hour 30 minutes, for venues with a box office or open-air venues.

But there are also the performances known as «happenings», which I’m particularly fond of.

These are short performances, lasting between 3 and 25 minutes, designed to create a surprise in completely unexpected circumstances.

An interview with Nâdiya, a star of the 2000s.

'Wanna Be Starting Something' has been out of the show’s set list for a long time.

In fact, a 1½-hour set was usually the time limit. ‘Wanna Be Starting Somethin’ is a very energetic song, often placed at the start of the set, and one that demands a great deal of physical stamina. It now follows ‘JAM’ and ‘THEY DON’T CARE ABOUT US’.

A few days ago: rehearsing the song:

Wanna Be Starting Something: Tahiti – Place Toata.

It was the opening ceremony for the square in front of Puteaux Town Hall, at La Défense in Paris. .

Technical challenge: To make us dance on the water without slipping, thanks to a special coating!

It’s a Quebec institution, held at the legendary Dagobert nightclub.

Thousands of people… it’s impossible to talk about that era without thinking of the legendary Pinch of Love parties. Moustaches, sunglasses, neon colours, leopard print and looks straight out of the 1980s: for one night, bad taste became a real source of pride! Pinch of Love drew huge crowds and transformed the Dagobert and the Grande Allée into one massive retro party. People went there to dance, laugh, show off their outfits… and, above all, to experience a night they’d be talking about for a long time to come.

I was lucky enough to be invited there as the evening’s performer –

Production: NRJ CANADA

Thank you to everyone! Thank you to the council team and the technical staff.

An incredible setting, a dressing room by the sea, and a brilliant audience.

I had a lovely time with you.