Hollywood rising star Tyriq Withers recently spent an evening at Broadway’s MJ The Musical, taking in the Tony Award-winning production before meeting members of the cast backstage.
Withers attended the performance at the Neil Simon Theatre on Saturday, August 29, where he was photographed alongside the company following the show. He also spent time with Matte Martinez, who was preparing to give his final performance as Michael Jackson the following evening.
The visit came at an exciting moment for the Broadway production, as Martinez was saying goodbye to the role of ‘MJ’ after his run. Beginning Sunday, September 15, Ilario Grant will take over the title role. Grant previously made his Broadway debut as a standby for both ‘MJ’ and ‘Michael’ in 2023.
Following the performance, Withers greeted the cast and posed for photographs with the full company, as well as with Martinez. The MJ The Musical social media accounts also welcomed the actor, sharing photos from his visit and thanking him for “jammin’ with us” at the Neil Simon Theatre.
Who Is Tyriq Withers?
For those who may not recognise the name, Tyriq Withers is a 28-year-old American actor who has rapidly become one of Hollywood’s rising stars. Born in Jacksonville, Florida, Withers originally played Division I football at Florida State University before pursuing acting.
His breakthrough came with an acclaimed appearance in Donald Glover’s Atlanta, followed by roles in Tell Me Lies and The Game. He has since appeared in films including I Know What You Did Last Summer and HIM, before taking a leading role in Reminders of Him opposite Maika Monroe. He is currently working on the tennis-themed romantic comedy Love Love.
As for whether Withers is a Michael Jackson fan, there does not appear to be a clear public statement from the actor identifying himself specifically as a Michael Jackson fan. However, his choice to spend an evening watching MJ The Musical, followed by meeting and celebrating with the cast, certainly shows an appreciation for the show and the legacy of Michael Jackson. The production itself describes its visit from Withers as a meeting of “star power” with “star power.”
A Special Weekend For MJ
Withers’ visit also coincided with an important transition for MJ The Musical. After playing Michael Jackson, Matte Martinez was celebrated by the company following his final performance on Sunday, August 30.
Since beginning performances in December 2021, MJ The Musical has welcomed more than two million people on Broadway and more than seven million worldwide. The production has also broken the box-office record at the Neil Simon Theatre 11 times.
Withers’ visit adds another familiar Hollywood face to the growing list of celebrities who have stopped by MJ The Musical to experience the production and meet the talented performers bringing Michael Jackson’s music and story to the Broadway stage.
With a new ‘MJ’ preparing to take over the role, the Broadway production continues to celebrate Michael Jackson’s extraordinary musical legacy night after night.
