Onaje Bell - Photo by LeVaughn Flynn

Onaje Bell has applied and removed the make-up and lipstick from his face a dozen times since June 25. The diminutive singer and dancer has been in high demand over the past four months since Michael Jackson's death. His MJ impersonations have been part of the global frenzy as fans sentimentally cling to anything, or anyone, representing the late King of Pop.

However, Jackson's sudden death and the subsequent appearance requests was bad timing for Bell, as he was in the middle of producing his debut album.

"The MJ thing was always something I did on the side. What I'm really about now is my singing career," said Bell as his make-up artist, Ramona Sirju, began his transformation at The Gleaner yesterday.

Bell, who turns 30 today, said he first impersonated Jackson at a school function while attending St George's College in 1993. Later in life he said he developed a greater appreciation for Jackson's talent and studied him in detail.

He said he was always exposed to music which helped shaped his love for the performing arts.

"My father (Russell) is a strict academic, but he's a serious music man as well, so I was well exposed," Bell said. "I use to break the record needles all the time trying to get it to a particular song."

Formal introduction

Bell got his formal introduction to the performing arts with the acclaimed Cathy Levy's Little People and up until early this year was a member of Xaymaca dance group and an instructor of Wolmer's Dance Troupe. Currently, he freelances, is a music video choreographer, teaches biology and chemistry at the CSEC and CAPE level and is one of the faces of the CLARO 'Move Up' ad campaign.

His main focus, though, is his album, which he describes as multi-genred.

"There are some R&B and club tracks. I did a dance song with Busy Signal recently," he said.

Like his multi-genred album, Bell said he had lived a multifaceted life.

"All my life I've been doing many things at once. When I was in high school I swore I was going to be a footballer," said Bell, pointing out that his father and several uncles (Neville, Jackie, Howard and Vernon) had played for Jamaica.

Throughout his life though, performing is where he has always felt most comfortable.

"I'm quite passionate about a lot of stuff. Teaching is something I really enjoy (but) where I feel most comfortable is onstage," he said. "I like creating something magical. I like the process of rehearsing and preparing for a performance."

Major events

Bell: The MJ thing was always something I did on the side. What I'm really about now is my singing career.

Over the last four months, Bell has got to fulfil that desire in an unprecedented way. Tens of thousands of people have seen him perform, albeit in disguise, at major events such as Reggae Sumfest, the Independence gala at the National Stadium and most recently at Carib 5 for the premiere of Michael Jackson's This Is It last Thursday.

Despite adoring Jackson as a performer, Bell said he was still overwhelmed by the requests and reactions for performances.

"This guy was so brilliant that persons are willing to pay to see someone who just looks like him perform. When I was younger listening to his songs and doing his moves, I would have never believed that people would pay me to dance like MJ," he said.

With five more 'MJ' performances left before the end of the year, Bell said he was eager to refocus on completing his album for a possible February release. But the MJ mania might not die anytime soon. Pretty soon there'll be plans for the tribute concert in London in June and other events recognising the first anniversary of his death.

"Lord have mercy," Bell exclaimed when The Gleaner pitches that possibility to him.

Luckily, he's enjoying what he does and the transformation is just a make-up kit away.

levaughn.flynn@gleanerjm.com