Backstage: the Michael Jackson Immortal World Tour by Cirque du Soleil

Dancing Shoes.
Backstage: the Michael Jackson Immortal World Tour by Cirque du Soleil
Photo: Priscilla Obermeier

My first interview (and one of my first assignments) I conducted as a fashion journalist took me behind the scenes of the Cirque du Soleil 'Alegria' show. As pretty much a Rookie in Fashion, I was highly nervous (to say the least), but all my worrying (of stuttering, of tripping, of breaking something I would touch, of losing my way, of...) left my body, mind and soul, as soon as amazement took over. And it took over fast. The talent and dedication of the acrobats, the Costume Designer and the Make - Up Stylist, who were so kind to share their stories from life on tour, to talk about their creative vision and their work with me, felt like an amazing version of what life can be. And the show? A dramatic mix of Circus, Magic and Theatrics. I reluctantly left. After an evening of Cirque... Reality seemed so, well...blah.

Many years and many interviews later, I find myself walking towards the O2 Arena in Berlin to meet Head of Wardrobe Bettina Bolzer-Bowles and Dancer Gianinni Semeido Moreira backstage at the Michael Jackson Immortal World Tour by Cirque du Soleil. I can't help but feeling a bit nervous. Not anymore out of worrying, but out of utter excitement. Like Alice returning to Wonderland.

It's not only the intensity of life on tour and on stage that leaves me in awe, invokes my imagination, triggers all my senses, but as well the theme of this particular show. The spirit, passion, artistic genius and heart of Michael Jackson.  

There is no song of Michael that has not crossed my path or evoked my emotions. From listening to my BAD tape on my walkman (yes, I experienced life before cell-phone, I-phone, I-pad...), learning to sing 'BEN' in music class, performing to 'SCREAM' with my ballet group at a local theater, wearing a white glove and a black fedora (and feeling very fab), to using Michael's songs to get over heartache (I Just Can't Stop Loving You, Give In to Me), deal with anger (Beat It, Dangerous, They Don't Care about Us), get rid of fear (Thriller, Smooth Criminal), sadness (Childhood, Leave me Alone), falling in love (The Way you Make me Feel), and to celebrate (Jam, Wanna Be Starting Something). Through his songs, Michael has been a constant and close 'friend' who I happily shared and share all my growing up-high school drama-falling in love-getting married-having a baby-runway-writing-drawing-designing-adventures with.

Magic Box
Backstage: the Michael Jackson Immortal World Tour by Cirque du Soleil
Photo: Priscilla Obermeier

While walking through the hallways of the O2 Arena carefully guided by kind and warmhearted Cirque du Soleil publicist Laura, I understand how Charlie must have felt when he entered the Chocolate Factory: Terrific.

Laura explains to me that the King of Pop was a lifelong fan of Cirque du Soleil himself. He had hoped to work together with the artistic entertainment organization at some point and it's bitter sweet that the partnership only happened after Michael’s passing. To honor Michael's legacy and celebrate who he was as an artist, the Michael Jackson Estate and Cirque du Soleil decided to create a Tribute. The Estate reached out to Jamie King, a friend and colleague of Michael’s and the leading concert director in pop music today, to helm the project as a Director and bring together a team of people who were involved with Michael personally and professionally, and a team of Cirque du Soleil creators. The outcome of their efforts I will see later on stage, but first....

Leave your Dirty Laundry here.
Backstage: the Michael Jackson Immortal World Tour by Cirque du Soleil
Photo: Priscilla Obermeier

We follow a girl pushing racks filled with costumes to the Wardrobe Department and here we wait for Bettina, who I will interview. While waiting, my inner Sherlock (and his camera) observes the environment I'm in. On the pin board I find a quote that describes the intoxicating positive energy I feel flowing around me. 'Life is about the people you meet and the things your create with them. Life is short. Live your Dream and Wear your Passion'. 

A quote at the Wardrobe pin board.
Backstage: the Michael Jackson Immortal World Tour by Cirque du Soleil
Photo: Priscilla Obermeier

A passionate dream life. That's what Cirque du Soleil captures so well. On stage and backstage. Which makes them the right choice indeed to give us access to Neverland. 

xxx