LOS ANGELES, Jan. 28 (UPI) -- Business for Michael Jackson impersonators has been declining since the pop icon was charged with molesting a young boy at his Santa Barbara, Calif., estate.
If Jackson ultimately is convicted of the charges, many look-alikes of the entertainer fear their careers also are doomed, ABCNews.com reported Wednesday.
"I'm concerned, simply because I love what I do," said Kenny Wizz, a Las Vegas-based entertainer who has been impersonating Jackson for 20 years.
"I worry that I won't be accepted in the same way. I wouldn't want to develop another character at this point. I love doing his character, and with everything that goes on, that I see in the media, it makes me nervous."
Indeed, the industry has noticed a decrease in the demand for Jackson characters.
"I've had some corporate parties where they had booked Michael Jackson (performers) and then they pulled out," said Ron Bartels, owner of the Massachusetts-based Lookalikes USA. "Then I've had some corporations where they hire a Michael Jackson impersonator and then when the charges came up, they said, 'Oh, you better calm it down.' So you have to be careful how you book (Jackson impersonators)."
