Impersonator: 'Some of that intensity is not there' since Michael Jackson's death

Rico Hampton | Age 40 | Ashburn | Michael Jackson impersonator

Since Michael Jackson's passing my phone hasn't stopped ringing. I've been doing this for 25 years, but lately my business has jumped 60 percent.

I don't really do it for the money. I charge $175 for a children's birthday party, and it goes up from there. I've done shows where I got paid a few thousand dollars.

I've had jobs. I worked for the city's Department of Human Services, dealing with the homeless and during the summer months doing well-being checks.

This is pretty much it now, just Michael full time.

I was actually in my man cave, my house, when I learned he died. I was in my basement where I have all my Michael Jackson posters. I was listening to Michael Jackson music, practicing and rehearsing to the "Invincible" CD. My sister sent me a text message that Michael Jackson had a heart attack. I thought it was a big publicity stunt, that it can't be real.

I turned the radio on and they had started playing Michael Jackson music. I was in a state of shock which I am still in.

Even today I have a copy of a newspaper that said he died. I can barely look at that paper.

When "Thriller" came out, that's when I really got out there and decided to perform. I don't know if in some way God put that on me.

Back then I thought this would be fun and last a little while. Twenty-five years later I'm still doing it.

In a lot of ways a lot of people who never had a chance to see Michael, they get part of that experience by engaging with me.

I thought Michael Jackson was a great artist. I never cared about the personal stuff he was doing. I loved Michael for the entertainment and the love he gave to the world.

"Billie Jean" and "Thriller" are the most excited our audience gets. "Billie Jean," it has that track that comes in and the audience just gets out of their seats. "Thriller," I'll put on the jacket and mask and chase people around and have a lot of fun with it.

I don't [wear the costumes when I'm not performing]. I don't mow the lawn as Michael Jackson.

I have three gloves. I make the gloves myself. They only cost a few bucks but it's just time consuming. It takes six hours to make.

I think once I put the makeup on and look at myself in the mirror it's show time. I get out there, the music gets on and the spirit jumps into my body. I turn into Michael for the few minutes I'm up there.

I realize some of the spirit has left me [since Jackson died]. I feel everything I do and ever since he passed it's kind of like some of that intensity is not there.

I believe I will regain that intensity but it keeps going through my mind that he's not here and he's gone. My heart flutters [onstage] but I try to compose myself.

Now more than ever everybody wants to take photos. They cry when I get on stage. Its really been hard for me to accept the whole thing. Oh God, yeah, I've cried. I haven't slept lately.

If I could, I would tell [Jackson] thank you for all the years you have given you and thanks for the life you have given me. Because, really, Michael Jackson has really changed my life for the best.