Following in King of Pop’s dance steps

A YOUNG Gisborne busker says he wants to be like his idol Michael Jackson and become the next “King of Pop”.

Shaun-Lindsay Kiwara-Harrington, 9, has the late pop star’s dance moves down to a “T”.

He has performed them outside stores such as Countdown, The Warehouse and Elgin Four Square since he was seven, mother Serayan Harrington says.

“We tried contacting talent agencies around New Zealand but we realised it would take too long for him to get a chance, so he started busking to get himself noticed.”

Feedback has been overwhelming. People can see he has a lot of talent, she says.

“It is amazing how many people stop and start videoing him or taking photos. He must be on thousands of cameras. We have even had people ask him for autographs.

“We are grateful to the stores for letting him dance and Gisborne people for supporting him.”

Shaun-Lindsay dresses like his idol, with a fedora and glove, and a portion of the money he makes goes to charity boxes around town and to other buskers.

“Michael used to give money to charity so it is something he wants to do as well,” Mrs Harrington says.

“The remainder is spent on things like new outfits, Michael Jackson memorabilia and shoes. He goes through a lot of those.”

Around the time he started busking, he was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Dancing is a way for him to release his energy as he is “like a lightning bolt” from the morning to the night, Mrs Harrington says.

The Cobham School student is inspired by other musical legends such as James Brown and Smokey Robinson, who Jackson grew up watching.

“We believe he has a classic soul,” Mrs Harrington says. “He is trying to find an original sound of his own but is still developing.

“A lot of times when I bring him out, he will show me something that I have not seen before.”

He also dreams of meeting Berry Gordy — the founder of the American record company Motown Records, which signed artists such as the Supremes, The Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye.

Dance and music run in the family. Sister Dallas has joined him during performances as well as his friends.

“It is the closest they will get to dancing with Michael Jackson,” Mrs Harrington says.

She has no doubt he will make the most of his “natural talent”.

“I expect to see him in Hollywood, California, representing our town and our people.”

In doing so, she hopes he can inspire others to pursue their dreams.

“He can lead the way for others to recognise their talents and go for their dreams. Hopefully I can encourage parents to support their kids in this as well.”

Shaun-Lindsay will be fundraising over the school holidays to help pay for a road trip through the North Island.

SOURCE: Gisborne Herald