An influencer from Portugal and now residing in the United States has taken the internet by storm due to their striking resemblance to the late King of Pop. This viral sensation has amassed a staggering 11.2 million followers and 137 million likes on TikTok alone. 31-year-old Fabio Jackson, born Fabio Miguel, doesn't just look like Michael Jackson; he embodies the pop legend's spirit in every way. "Growing up, I was bullied for resembling Michael, especially after my 11th birthday, which was around the time Michael was in the news for abuse allegations," Fabio explained. "At the time, without widespread internet access, I only had newspapers to rely on, but deep down, I didn't believe the negative portrayals of Michael. To me, he represented innocence and love for others. I was also teased for looking like Mowgli from The Jungle Book because of my long hair. I had a unique appearance with features that were a mix of Caucasian and Caribbean traits - a big nose, large ears, and plump lips. I stood out and didn't resemble anyone else in my family. My mom used to joke that she met Michael in Lisbon, Portugal, and that I'm his son, but it was all in good fun. No one knows why I look like him. I just attribute it to God. By the time Fabio reached high school, the resemblance was uncanny, and he was mistaken for the late singer almost every day. "As a teen, I faced a lot of accusations that I had had plastic surgery to look like Michael. Michael died when I was 18. After his death, my features changed, and I looked even more like him than when I was a child. My jaw widened, and my facial features became more pronounced, just like they do for everyone as they grow older. Back then, I had never undergone surgeries. These changes were part of my natural development, not the result of cosmetic procedures." In late 2022, Fabio had a rhinoplasty to reduce the size of his nostrils, which he shared on his YouTube channel. This was the only procedure he had done. After school, Fabio realised that looking like Michael Jackson wasn't necessarily bad. "I didn't set out to make a career out of looking like Michael; I wanted to pursue my own path. I wanted to have a normal life, go to college, and graduate from university, which I did," Fabio shared. "But I couldn't escape the fact that I looked so much like him. The first time I posted a video of myself online, people immediately noticed the resemblance, saying, 'Wow, he looks like Michael.' I always wanted to be a streamer and create YouTube content, so I continued down that path. I still do that today, and while people see Michael in me, I've embraced it as part of my unique identity." Fabio's extraordinary likeness to Michael has profoundly impacted his life. In addition to being a magnet for attention his resemblance to the late King of Pop has landed him in numerous documentary movies, including Fatal Addiction: Michael Jackson (2022) and The Last 24 Hours: Michael Jackson (2018). "Working on The Last 24 Hours was incredibly challenging. I felt the same pain and pressure in those scenes that Michael must have felt. It felt so real because it was done so well. I was very sad and felt incredibly vulnerable, almost like I was in Michael's situation. I was so emotional. The director, producer, and camera crew tried to cheer me up. Despite the emotional toll, I'm happy to do documentaries if they do justice to Michael and tell his real story. Although my appearance has given me significant exposure and opened many doors for my career, being associated with someone as famous as Michael has its downsides. Hate often comes from people who don't know you, and I try to ignore it as much as I can, but going outside gets hard," admitted Fabio. "I choose places where I'm not so vulnerable. Recently, I was invited to a water park with my stepkids, but I declined because I was worried photos would spread everywhere. I often have to stay indoors. Even in the car, people at traffic lights point at me and say, 'There's Michael Jackson.' I've had people follow me, especially in the UK. Once, while visiting Hollywood Boulevard in the US, I was taking a photo at a star, and some tourists followed me for a three-minute walk until I turned around and asked if they wanted a picture. Some people are nice and ask for a photo, while others are rude and sneak one. My wife is very supportive; she always asks shy fans if they want her to take a picture for them. She is also protective when people are recording or taking pictures without asking. Outside of his career, Fabio enjoys watching movies, playing video games, and shooting hoops in his yard. He is passionate about collecting items he didn't have as a child, including action figures and stylish clothes. His wardrobe features iconic Michael Jackson outfits, from the famous red Thriller jacket to the glittering white glove. All his clothing is tailored, and his MJ collection is valued at about $10,000 (£7,700). Fabio's TikTok account is a treasure trove of MJ-inspired content, where he recreates classic music videos and performs impromptu street dances. "I used to watch Michael's dance videos but never thought of doing them myself. I was too shy and didn't want to sing and dance. I wanted to stay outside the entertainment business. However, that changed after I got a job as a PR performer at a bar. They hired me because I looked like Michael and asked if I could move like him. They put me on the bar stage, and I started dancing to the music. People went crazy. That experience helped me overcome my shyness, and I wanted to do more and learn more," explained Fabio. "Honestly, I still don't think my moves are spot on. I have a lot to learn. I've only been dancing for two years. After a car accident, I stopped dancing for a while. My back wasn't doing well, and I was very stiff. I still worry about my back today and go to the chiropractor regularly. Even though I'm still learning to sing, it's what people expect me to do. It's never too late to start, and I'm enjoying the journey." While he has a ton of female admirers, Fabio is quick to confirm he's a taken man. He and Ana Lyrio met on Instagram in 2022 and married on 11 May, 2023. They had a private ceremony in Las Vegas. Ana is a Brazilian singer, songwriter and actress and has degrees in Economics and law from UC Berkeley. Beyond the glitz and glamour of being a social media star, Fabio is also deeply involved in charitable activities and incredibly passionate about helping animals. He leverages his fame for good causes, often participating in fundraising events and supporting various charitable organisations. At the core of Fabio's story is a powerful message about embracing what makes you unique. In a world where people often strive to fit in, Fabio stands out by simply being himself. His resemblance to Michael Jackson, once a source of ridicule, has become his greatest asset. "Embrace who you are. Your uniqueness is your strength and something to be celebrated. Don't be afraid to stand out," he concluded. Featuring: Fabio Jackson Where: United States When: 23 Jul 2024 Credit: officialfabiojackson/Cover Images **EDITORIAL USE ONLY. MATERIALS ONLY TO BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH EDITORIAL STORY. THE USE OF THESE MATERIALS FOR ADVERTISING, MARKETING OR ANY OTHER COMMERCIAL PURPOSE IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. MATERIAL COPYRIGHT REMAINS WITH STATED PHOTOGRAPHER AND/OR SUPPLIER.**