*A group of elementary school students in Los Angeles is earning praise from Michael Jackson fans around the world after a spirited tribute performance went viral during Black Music Month.
Nearly 30 students from Baldwin Hills Elementary School in Los Angeles took the stage wearing some of Jackson’s most recognizable looks and performed a choreographed routine to his hit song “Jam” as part of the school’s annual spring arts fundraiser.
The performance, featured during a 1990s-themed school program, quickly gained traction on social media, where viewers celebrated the students’ energy, enthusiasm and appreciation for one of music’s most influential artists.
The viral moment arrives as interest in Jackson’s music continues to surge thanks to the record-breaking success of the blockbuster biopic “Michael.”
A New Generation Discovers Michael Jackson
The tribute was organized by fourth-grade teacher and part-time dance instructor Malinda Jackson, a longtime fan who wanted her students to experience the artistry and performance excellence that made Michael Jackson a global icon, according to ABC7 (KABC).
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The students had just three weeks to learn the choreography.
“A lot of our students have never taken a dance class, but here they are,” Jackson said. “I’m tapping into what’s inside of them.”
Beyond learning dance moves, the performance became an opportunity for students to build confidence, teamwork and self-expression.
For many of the children, the experience pushed them beyond their comfort zones.
“They taught me to push myself more and keep dancing,” said 10-year-old Carter Crump. “I got really excited and I was like, ‘This is for you Michael.’”
Eleven-year-old Liberty Williams admitted she initially felt nervous about performing in front of an audience.
“At first, I’m shy doing it but once I, like, get in the mood, I’m like, ‘Alright, I got this,’” she said.
Nine-year-old Ethan Turner said dance allows him to express emotions in a positive way.
“I love dancing,” he said. “I like how you get to let out your feelings. Either when you’re mad or you’re excited, and you just let all of your energy out.”
A Full Circle Moment
The performance also carried special meaning for former Baldwin Hills student Francis Bucknor, who returned to help choreograph the routine.
Sixteen years ago, Bucknor performed in his own school production of Jackson’s classic “Thriller.” Returning to help the next generation celebrate the entertainer’s legacy felt particularly meaningful.
“It’s a full circle moment for me,” Bucknor said.
His involvement connected generations of students through a shared appreciation for music, dance and creativity.
The Success of ‘Michael’
The students’ tribute comes at a time when Michael Jackson’s legacy is reaching new audiences through the success of “Michael.”
Following its April theatrical release, the film has become the highest-grossing music biopic of all time, earning approximately $911.9 million worldwide.
The movie surpassed both 2022’s “Elvis” and 2018’s “Bohemian Rhapsody,” which previously held the record with $910.9 million in global box office revenue. With “Michael” still playing in theaters, industry observers expect its total to continue climbing.
The film has also become the highest-grossing biopic ever released domestically, introducing Jackson’s music and story to a new generation while reigniting interest among longtime fans.
According to Billboard, Jackson has now become the first artist to maintain chart presence in every decade since the 1970s.
For Malinda Jackson, the students’ performance demonstrates exactly why the entertainer’s influence continues to resonate decades after his death.
“This is how he lives forever … it’s by passing it on to the next generation,” she said.
Fans Celebrate the Tribute
As the video continues to spread online, fans have applauded both the students and their teacher for creating a heartfelt tribute that celebrates Michael Jackson’s impact on music, dance and popular culture.
Bucknor believes the late superstar would have been thrilled by the performance.
“If he could sit in this auditorium, he would have been sitting front row with a big smile on his face,” he said. “I know he’s beyond proud of all these kids.”
What began as a school fundraiser has become a viral reminder that Michael Jackson’s influence remains alive through the artists, educators and young performers who continue sharing his music with new generations.
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