Hailee Steinfeld dominates Michael Jackson celebration on 'Lip Sync Battle'

George Back
·Producer, Yahoo Entertainment

It was a Michael Jackson celebration when Lip Sync Battle returned, live, on the newly rebranded Paramount Network. And big stars like Neil Patrick Harris, Taraji P. Henson, Hailee Steinfeld, and Laverne Cox kicked off the night with big performances.

The show started with a large-scale performance of “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’.” All four celebrities took turns being featured as dozens of backup dancers moonwalked and popped their hips.

Neil Patrick Harris started off the solo performances with “Smooth Criminal.” And according to people named Annie, “It was OK.” But seriously, NPH is a well established singer and dancer, and he did a great job.

Laverne Cox followed up with “Dirty Diana.” Her “hairography,” as she puts it, was on point and so were her kicks. She managed to take out a few of the smoke machines with her aggressive dance moves.

Taraji P. Henson really seemed to capture the Michael Jackson essence. She put on a performance of “Beat It” that was tough to beat.

But it was Hailee Steinfeld’s performance of “The Way You Make Me Feel” that won the night. Steinfeld rocked a sequined suit and the ultimate MJ hair curl down her face. She danced under a deluge water. And at the end of the day the audience chose her as the champion.

Lip Sync Battle airs Thursdays at 10 p.m. on the Paramount Network.

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