Michael Jackson, the performer, consistently transcended racial and gender perceptions; Michael Jackson tribute artists, impersonators and lookalikes reflect this in that they embody a wide span of inspiration and intention. The current crop of impersonators are people who take great care in their appearance - some spend a lot of money and time on their make up and clothing, while others are more concerned with the physical gestures associated with his dances while expressing very little concern in the creation of an illusion.

The Michael Jacksons is a photographic study of people from around the US who make a living or perform as Michael Jackson. The project is both an index of the refraction of Michael Jackson's public persona, and a look the exploration issues of fantasy, reality and representation as influenced by and filtered through cultural experience. Ultimately the project is a quest to photograph the tribute artists, impersonators and lookalikes in the aftermath of Mr. Jackson’s death, and along with a written ethnography which focuses on the interpretation of 'blackness' by the performers, is intended to interpret, understand and evaluate what seems to be an emerging subculture within the world of professional mimicry.