Jackson impersonator comes to Zayed Sports City

Wang Jie Jackson.

ABU DHABI // Wang Jie, nicknamed Jackson Wang, claims not only to be among the best, but to have been told so by the singer himself on a visit to his home in the US.

Now fans can judge for themselves when he appears at Zayed Sports City next month.

Wang Jie has performed throughout Asia, Europe and the US, and has appeared on Chinese TV. The event on January 20 will be his first Middle Eastern appearance. He is also scheduled to perform next year in Egypt, Morrocco, Tunisia, and Syria.

Mr Wang, who comes from a poor background was charmed by the American entertainer's personality and "spent most of his life impersonating Jackson", said Cheddi Bassar of Sky Event Management.

Trained by instructors in China and the US, he was also praised by the UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon after performing for an audience that included members of Jackson's family.

Since the singer's death in 2009, clubs in Dubai have hosted a few tribute shows.

The dance group Signature, 2008 runners-up on the UK TV show Britain's Got Talent, performed their Jacko tribute show this summer at Chi at the Lodge in Dubai. But this will be the first time Jackson's glittered glove will grace an Abu Dhabi venue.

Mr Bassar said the capital was opening up to new entertainment options.

"Three years ago something like this wouldn't have worked in Abu Dhabi," he said.