interview by JANA LETONJA
Ilario Grant is taking on one of the most electrifying and demanding roles on Broadway, stepping into the title role of Michael Jackson in the Tony Award-winning smash MJ the Musical at the Neil Simon Theatre. For the Atlanta-born actor, singer and dancer, it’s both a major Broadway moment and a homecoming after leading MJ in Australia, where he brought the production to audiences in Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane. Now, Ilario returns to New York to perform the iconic role eight times a week, arriving at a remarkable moment when Michael Jackson’s music is reaching new generations of listeners and MJ continues its international success.
photography by BRANDON LAVAR
You’ve already played MJ for audiences across Australia. Does stepping onto the stage of the Neil Simon Theatre feel different?
Stepping on stage at the Neil Simon does feel different because this is where my MJ journey began. Being able to assume the role in a place that started my career in theater is not only nostalgic but surreal.
This is an incredibly demanding role — acting, singing and dancing at an extraordinary level, eight performances a week. How do you prepare physically and vocally for it?
The preparation to play Michael Jackson on stage eight times a week requires extreme discipline and dedication. I have a physical trainer and a vocal trainer, and we trained twice a week every week. This program is to help me stay healthy and to maintain throughout the intense week.
Michael Jackson had such a distinctive way of moving. How do you capture those iconic movements while making sure the performance feels alive rather than simply an imitation?
As we all know, Michael Jackson’s movement is very specific and unique. I work with Rich and Tone Talauega, who are Michael Jackson’s choreographers and dancers for the history tour, and they also choreographed all of his movements in the show. I was put through immense training to learn and perfect his movement. We constructed a version of the show specifically for me, so that way it doesn’t feel imitation like. We want to bring the essence of MJ alive onstage.
When you first auditioned for MJ, did you genuinely believe you could end up playing the title role?
When I first auditioned, I was nervous, and did have a bit of self doubt. But I am a believer in Christ and so I prayed and asked God to open this door if it’s for me. I went in with confidence and belief, and the rest is history.
What did you discover about Michael Jackson, as an artist or as a person, through preparing for this role that surprised you?
I discovered that Michael Jackson was a human. And I know that sounds funny, but we as fans of his, often put him on a pedestal that separates him for real life sometimes. While studying him deeply, I recognized that MJ was a man, and a person just like everyone else. And I used that to help shape my performance.
You’ve now lived with this character for quite some time. Has playing Michael changed the way you think about fame, ambition or the pressure of being a performer?
It has absolutely changed the way I think. I believe that being as famous as Michael comes with lots of pros, but lots of cons as well. There are certain things that I can do, like go to the store, or go to the movies, and just go as myself, by myself, and Michael wasn’t allowed that pleasure. Being a performer always comes with a bit of pressure, but I think having a healthy team and support system around to keep you grounded and protected can help alleviate the pressure.
There’s renewed attention around Michael Jackson’s work in 2026 across music, film and theater. What is it like to find yourself right at the center of that cultural moment?
It’s an unreal feeling. Michael Jackson is someone I looked up to as a kid and when wanting to become a performer, so to be apart of his legacy is such a blessing, and I’m truly grateful.
Before MJ, your career included everything from the R&B group Afterours to film projects like Praise This. Which parts of those experiences prepared you for the performer you have to be in this show?
I think the training for it all really helped me mentally and physically. My R&B group training was more physical and it helped me to set my mind up for hard work and resilience. The film really helped me mentally from the standpoint of getting that professional experience and being trained on the job, which was really cool.
What happens when the curtain comes down? After spending an evening embodying someone as recognizable as Michael Jackson, how do you switch back into being Ilario?
I take my time to come down, because doing the show gives me such a shock that it can take a while before being relaxed. But getting out of the wig, hair, and makeup, cooling down, taking time to myself and decompressing is how I get back to Ilario after a massive show like MJ the Musical.
Finally, if Michael Jackson could be sitting in the Neil Simon Theatre watching you perform one night, what would you hope he would see in your performance?
This is a big one. I would hope he’d see an authentic story being told and that I’m doing everything I can to show a side of him that lots of people didn’t get a chance to see.
