I am a 63 year old man and that means that I am the same age that Michael would be now. And that means that I grew up loving Michael's unbelievable talents since he and I were both 11 years old. Which has made me his number one fan. With that said, I would like to share my thoughts on your performance. Young man, you were simply amazing!! Your attire, your attitude, your dance moves were all on point!! I couldn't help but smile throughout your awesome performance!! Thanks for loving Michael's talents as much as I do. I have a KZfaq Playlist entitled "Michael" and guess who's amazing KZfaq performance just got added to that Playlist!!😁💯💯! Bless you young man!!

Props to your friend that came in to take the spotlight off you so you could get ready for the lean (3:52). Even after knowing the trick behind the lean, it never gets less amazing to see it. This was amazing and I wish you all the best.

3:52 I hope that you felt how Michael felt when he made crowds of people scream out of their minds!😁 And please don't forget to bow as Michael always did at the end of all of his performances.. it's a show of gratitude to the audience! You were simply AMAZING 👏!

Sir, you absolutely SLAYED this. I swear, I lost it at that lean! Absolutely brilliant!

Fun fact: Michael jackson actually had special shoes in order to do the lean. It used pegs in the floor and holes in the shoes to lock him into place. If you watch on the stage you can see he used the same idea because theres 2 pegs on stage. That shows me he did his homework on that lean

Legend says on that very night, everyone fell in love with this man and he won over the female lead, his bully evaporated into air, and everyone started dancing, and everyone clapped

You SMASHED it mate! I did a smooth criminal performance at my school at age 15 (I’m 37 now) Yours was top notch! Never give up on dancing man don’t let life weigh you down! Much love ❤

Brilliant and that "YEAH JOHNNY", reminded me of Karate Kid, lol

It’s almost like it’s Micheal himself on stage!! This was incredible that you memorized all of this!! Great work dude!

I’m 63 African American. I used to dance three hours a day. Seen Michael live. Watched him thousands of times just to see him move. I can dance. I said all that to say this. Excellent. Smooth. Rhythmic. Polished. Bravo ! Bravo ! Sublime. I give you 9.9.9. Only Mj gets my 10. You young man gifted. You have talent. You made my day. Bravo . Bravo

absolutely incredible. never stop dancing. Doing the lean on stage is a huge w. also idk how you were able to see on stage when the lights went out! freaking awesome bro.

Absolutely phenomenal and utterly fantastic to see Michael's work continuing to influence the youth of today. Great job, Jonny!

I grew up in the 80's. I'm not gonna lie this choked me up. I had to wipe my eyes by the end. Thank you for bringing me back to those magical days, young sir. Thank you for honoring one of the most beautiful performance artists this world has ever known with such a dedicated performance of your own. Even through blurry eyes, this was amazing. Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you.

That lean was crazy!!

That was awesome and spot on. My mother took me out of the shower to see MJ do the moonwalk for the first time at the Apollo Awards in 1983 because he was the man. Rock on brother.

Can we all just appreciate all the high quality camera angles and editing that went into this, instead of it being recorded shakily and vertically on one person's potato-pixel phone camera and uploaded straight to youtube?

What an OUTSTANDING performance! The choreography that had to go into this performance must have been extremely difficult and time consuming. What dedication and hard work that must have gone into this performance in mind boggling. Well done young man! I'm absolutely certain the "King of Pop" would have been very proud and flattered by that performance! You KILLED it!

Awww brings tears to my eyes seeing people still loving MJ and keeping his spirit, music, and dancing, alive, through excellent performances like this. I think Mike will be inspiring artists for generations upon generations to come

He could have been in the video with MJ. I have seen many tried this. Nobody was this flawless. Fantastic!

ENTERTAINER! That's what Michael was. You captured his spirit.

It feels like that crowd couldn’t fully appreciate how 🔥 this was. You killed it my friend.

Just proves that Michael still is spanning more than three generations and has been an inspiration to so many. I’ve been a fan since my brother allowed me one cassette tape from his Columbia subscription. I chose wisely: Thriller!

Wow. I'm an old lady who watched MJ develop his skills from the very beginning, and I'll tell you: You're extremely talented. I hope you're able to continue your hard work and have access to the resources you need to follow your dreams. You could definitely go places if you do, and I'll be thrilled to see it.

This guy is a smooth criminal because you just stole everyone’s hearts

Dude... this is amazing! Mj was "the" ultimate entertainer of our time. He put so much into every performance. It had to be perfect, no exceptions and that is what I see here. He would be proud of you!

I love all of the Michael Jackson imitators on KZfaq and everywhere! Your performances will keep Michael’s memory alive forever!

Smooth moves. And the guy distracting the audience was very smooth so he could hook up. Very slick and killer routine

All I could do was smile throughout this performance. I am 61 yrs old and had little Mikie just amaze me every time I saw him perform. Since I was a kid the Jackson 5, then Mike on his own, have just been a joy to watch. Your performance was so on point during this show, you should be proud that you did such a fine job. I don't care about what Mike did, although he chartered this dance style, you crushed it kiddo. Good Freakin job. Don't let any haters put you down. Everybody has to start somewhere. Kudos to you kiddo.

Sensational one of the best performances I've ever seen.. one of the most complete with every aspect and move. Even the hat tilt amazing 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

And the actual lean by dear Michael Jackson wwas done with special shoes! This guy is absolutely incredible!! Amazing talent. He will be dancing in his life as a professional! Yes. Power to you guy! I hope you have all your dreams come true 💝!!!

They may forget the song you danced to....the name of the distraction guy.......what you wore. They ALWAYS REMEMBER the magic of that lean. A M A Z I N G! I come back to watch that all the time...makes me smile.

This video should have a million views. Apparently today's KZfaq audience doesn't recognize true talent.

I appear to be late to the party, dude I grew up watching the moon walker video tape on repeat. You did such an amazing job here. I can only imagine the hours of practice you put in to get it down so solid. Fantastic performance!!!! 👏

This guy has to one of the very best performers of M.J ever. 😉👍👏👏👏👏👏

I remember seeing Michael live in 1996 (I was nine years old). Being a fan of Elvis Presley, after that concert, I asked my father, "Daddy, is it ok for me to have two favorite singers?" Sir, this is the first time I'm watching a dancer and feeling the same vibes I get when watching my favorite celebrity of almost thirty years. You rock.

I hope he goes on with his talent, and keeps Michael “alive” for all of us! AWESOME performance!! ❤️

Bro prepared a very long time for this moment, and he executed it perfectly. I know I’m late, but GJ!! Absolutely amazing talent!

Wow. No other words needed for this amazing performance.

FABULOUS! I don't know how you remembered all these steps! Magnificent!

"Grandpa, how did you and grandma meet?" "Well you see kids, it all started when I absolutely nailed the moves for Smooth Criminal at my high school talent show..." That takes some serious practice to do it that well, MJ would've been proud.

I'm a 42 year old woman who grew up adoring Michael. I have long been able to moonwalk ( I actually learned by starting doing it originally on rollerskates!) In a high school lip synch show I played Jordan Knight in a New Kids on the Block song performance, purely because I cam moonwalk and he use to do that as well. You've got an excellent moonwalk down!!! I just about lost my mind when you did the lean! (Do you know I never looked into the trick behind doing that sweet move!? I don't know why!?) When MJ passed away me and my ex husband went out to a bar got drunk and sang ONLY Michael Jackson songs as a tribute to him. I still have my Michael Thriller doll. It's the size of the old school original G I Joe dolls! I still love it!! Excellent job brother! I'm happy to see people still digging MJ!!!

Michael Jackson will live on forever through every generation ♥️♥️♥️

The core strength!!! I wouldnt have been able to pull myself back up so smooth

Me and my brother was waching today in 2024. We are from Brazil. We want to congratulate you Jonny, your presentation was perfect, we loved it so much. A beautiful tribute to the king ❤

This young man is an incredible dancer, he shows he respects and appreciates M.J. ..Awesome performance 🙌💯❤️

Wow. That performance was spectacular. Who knew a school talent show could be so incredible. Dude is seriously talented. Bravo!!!

Love how you can step out and do individual moves and then come back together sp perfectly in sync.

This is how you absolutely crush the school talent show. Amazing!

This young man was excellent!♥️

I’ve never seen such fidelity to Michael Jackson’s dance chops! /Johnny Cruz is a dancer extraordinaire... 😊

Very clever misdirection with the sudden guest "invader" to keep everyone's eyes away from you during the setup for *The Lean* ™. And excellent execution, as well.

That was amazing!! Really enjoyed your performance 🔥🔥🔥

Amazing!!! 👏👏👏 you should win this talent show! You have perfect moves , Michael would be proud, keep it up! ❤️👑🤟✌️🦋🌻

Crazy isolations, my dude! So subtle & so smooth! 100% on point 🔥🔥🔥!!!

Amazing job! This is the best impression if Michael Jackson I have seen! Great job!😊

Very elegant performance, congrats, bro. If I were in the area where you live, in the country, and knew you were presenting 'Smooth Criminal' alone, I would've grabbed my three brothers and supported you as background dancers. And if I had to beat the choreography into my brothers, lol.😆😇

Even Michael himself was impressed

I was looking on the floor for the hooks to do the extreme bend forward. That’s how they pulled it off in real life. Nice job for including that.

Great Job! You would make the King 👑 Of Pop proud!

Amazing dude I love MJ so much u did such a good job man 🔥

Honestly this is soo good, It would be awesome if you could tryout for AGT or something like it, even if you didn't make it you would still have all of us appreciating your work

As a LIFE-LONG Michael Jackson fan, I can truly say. This was the best Michael Jackson impersonation I've ever seen. I hope you're studying dance young man. Because THAT'S WHERE YOUR FUTURE and FORTUNE IS. God forbid you're studying accounting, or medicine or something like that. You have a gift; use it. Many blessings!

Nailed It! Amazing!

That was amazing. I bet Michael would be proud

Dang son! That was Smooth as quality silk. Talent and practice took you far.

Everyone died at the lean. This performance was amazing and I could see you doing it way more performances in the future.

WOW! Im so impressed ! I"m 56 years old and grew up with Michael Jackson , very good :)

That's a long hard set. Even for a professional Dancer....mad respect I couldn't do it , very entertaining.

Absolutely spot on amazing talented dancer this young man is congratulations! 🎉🎉🎉

JONNY CRUZ!!!!! You killed it!!!!!!!! You did such a good job!!! Thank you for sharing with us! 🩶🩶🩶

You've Been Hit By! You've Been Struck By! A Smooth Jonny! *YAHHH!*

That Is an Awesome Preformance .Thank You For Sharing Liked an Subscribed Please do More of Michael Jackson Thank you

SERIOUSLY YOU MADE ME CRY! THIS IS SO WONDERFUL. ITS AMAZING SEE YOU DOIN THAT. CONGRATS

Congrats Mr. Cruz astounding performance! your crisp moves make this a remarkable routine ! Thanks for sharing your skill with us!

I’m surprised no one saw the metal things on stage after the lean but great muscle just to do the lean

Dude leaned further than MJ did in his performances, that's crazy

I saw Jackson live in Detroit Michigan when i was a kid. It was the Jackson Victory tour. I lost my voice screaming for Jackson. Brother, i never believed in reincarnation but maybe this one time, i do. You are amazing ❤

I love the distraction so he can get his shoes hooked up on the floor for the antigravity lean. Very well done!

Wow! Really stunning and had me watching all the way through.❤️👏🏻👏🏻Michael def would be proud .👆🏻😎

That was freakin awesome!! I’m a huge Michael fan and you killed this.

Wow bravo!!! What an amazing talent. So glad I got to see you perform...

You absolutely CRUSHED IT! AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!😱😱😱😱

Very professional performance 🎭

I imagine MJ would be very proud of you. Great job.

Holy crap THAT WAS AMAZING!!!!! The lean was my favorite part by far!!

Are you kidding me??? Bravo, sir! Well done. Very well done. 👏👏

Great lean execution. As kids in the 80s we all practiced the lean but never could figure it out.

Your performance was top notch! Bravo!

that was pretty damn sweet, Michael was as passionate about his performaces as you, great talent, great entertainment, thanks to whoever phonecammed this, or it would have been lost, ( unless theres another camera version ) but thanks for the show

Fantastic! This is my fav M. Jackson song and video and you nailed it! Couldn't believe how amazing you are!

Amazing energy and crisp moves!

Dude those moves were so goood

Dear Jonny, You showed...TALENT (not vulgarity) ; I am grateful for that and I thank you so much for being such a handsome model for your generation (and others!!! ;) I congratulate you on the choice of your attire....you look fantastic! Bravo again and again for this humongous amount of work!!! helene (Qc, Canada)

Best smooth criminal dance I've seen, topped only by Michael himself. Well done man

Yo Johnny, you gave me chills watching you. I used to kill this when I was younger, it’s nice to see ppl still doing it!!

Huge inspiration to me as I have learned smooth criminal and Billie Jean,I can always look to you as a reference lol,amazing as always

That was such an amazing show of dancing brilliance. You had so many of MJs movements down that it was somewhat disconcerting to see that you weren’t also emaciated and black. (Possibly biracial?) Not that it matters. It was just impossible to tell with the lighting. Which was yet another great part of the act. With everything that was said about him at the end, ppl seemed to forget that he was just an awe-inspiring, magnificent dancer! Yes, I loved his music but i especially loved watching him move. Fred Astaire was a God to me as I was growing up (from old movies and such) and his elegance and grace was unmatched until I saw Michael Jackson live. Not that I just switched over (and they were doing different types of dancing) but definitely a child of those same smooth lines and body movements that were JUST SO. MJ was like a rebirth of Fred Astaire, in a different time and with different music. But most definitely with the talent. And what you just performed out there was just as studied, just as practiced, just as perfectionistic as anything MJ or Fred Astaire would do. It’s truly the highest honor I ( personally) could give another performer!!

I don't care what the other talent show people did Jonny WINS!!!

You have some moves, great timing and Michael would appreciate the work you put in on the hand details. Those movements you did are always missed even by professional Michael impersonaters

This guy is amazing wow i would not say i was huge fan of michael but love his music