Michael Jackson fan in Delaware, 11, moonwalks into 'MJ the Musical' cast on Broadway

Jackson Hayes of Middletown remembers when he was about 6 years old wearing a Michael Jackson "Beat It" jacket with a glittery silver glove.

The pint-sized MJ impersonator was set to sing the inspirational tune "Man in the Mirror" as part of a tribute to pastor Jerome Lewis at Seeds of Greatness church in New Castle.

"I got stage fright, and it was probably my first time. I was like, 'Oh, what's this feeling?!'" Jackson, now 11 years old, said to Delaware Online/The News Journal.

"I stood up there and started crying," he explained.

Jackson now has tears of joy when he thinks about the King of Pop. He moonwalked into his first Broadway performance of "MJ the Musical" at Neil Simon Theatre in New York on Friday, Dec. 1.

The sixth grader at Cab Calloway School of the Arts is cast in the role of "Little Michael," or the child version of the late pop star, in this production that's won four Tony Awards.

It's a unique experience whenever the Delaware actor hears the song "Man in the Mirror" in the show.

"Every time he sings it he's like, 'Mom, it's a full-circle moment. The thing that I was scared to do is the thing I now get to do,'" Lori Hayes, Jackson's mom, said.

From 'Lion King' to Michael Jackson

Jackson's big break in acting came this year when he did his first show as Young Simba on the national tour of Disney's "The Lion King," which took him to famous theaters across the country like the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

He lived on the road (with his mom) doing six shows per week from March until November.

Jackson auditioned for "MJ the Musical" in August. He was offered a second contract for "The Lion King," but he couldn't pass up the chance to perform as his favorite music artist.

"In this industry, you're always auditioning," his mom said. "When he was offered the opportunity to represent the King of Pop, I saw [Jackson] and was like, 'I love 'Lion King,' Mommy. But I'm going to go over here to Broadway.'"

Jackson said one of the biggest differences from "The Lion King" to "MJ" is it's more physically demanding, and he has five times the number of costume changes. He averages four performances a week.

"Being in 'MJ,' I feel it tests my stamina because I have to dance and I have to do a quick change, and I gotta run back on and sing," he said.

Michael Jackson actor misses siblings

The biggest hurdle for Jackson off stage in New York is being away from his dad and two big brothers: Jordan, 15, and Jared, 18, a freshman at Delaware State University.

Jackson and his mom are living in New York until he leaves the show in June. The mom and son are still close to Delaware, yet they're also not.

"That's one of the hardest parts about it because with touring, since you're far away, you know you're not going to be able to come home. You've expected it," Jackson said.

"But now [in] New York on Broadway, you're right there [near Delaware]. So close. But you can't go [home]."

King of Pop's flaw: 'Always strived to be perfect'

Jackson has been a fan of MJ since he was born, his mom said. Their home always played the superstar's hits, and Jackson has impersonated the King of Pop for ages.

"Michael [Jackson] and I used to date in my mind when I was little," the actor's mom said.

Being in "MJ the Musical" has deepened Jackson's appreciation for MJ since he learned how obsessed the music artist was with delivering flawless performances.

"He always strived to be perfect, and he never understood that perfect isn't a real thing," Jackson said.

The young actor said he learned perfection was an illusion years ago, which is how he bounced back from stage fright when he impersonated MJ at church.

Now Jackson is thankful to pay homage to the superstar on musical theater's biggest stage.

"I feel happy that I get the opportunity to now carry on his legacy and all the things that he accomplished in his life."

If you have an interesting story idea, email lifestyle reporter Andre Lamar at alamar@gannett.com. Consider signing up for his weekly newsletter, DO Delaware, at delawareonline.com/newsletters.

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This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: 'MJ the Musical' taps Delaware actor Jackson Hayes for Broadway