Jackson Wang is a global icon known for his electrifying performances and magnetic stage presence. Originally from Hong Kong, he rose to fame as a member of the K-pop group GOT7 and has since built a successful solo career spanning music, fashion, and philanthropy. Before entering the entertainment world, Wang was a national-level fencer, following in the footsteps of his athlete parents.
Wang’s passion for performing was sparked early in life by legendary artists like Prince, James Brown, and most significantly, Michael Jackson. “As a kid, my interest in music and performing rose from several legends — definitely Prince, Michael Jackson and James Brown,” he recalled. “I still remember one day I was really sick, and my mom brought me a concert DVD of Michael Jackson. I was at home for around four to five days. Every single day I would just watch it over and over again, and I started to fall in love with it.” His fluid dance style and expressive stage energy continue to reflect that influence. He even was spotted dancing to Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” last June.
Recently, Wang appeared on WIRED’s YouTube channel to answer the internet’s most searched questions about himself. When asked about his name, he explained that while his Chinese name is Wang Jiaer (or Wang Ka-yee in Cantonese), his official name is Jackson Wang—chosen by his mother, who was a fan of Michael Jackson. “She wished that her kid could sing and dance like him,” he said. The clip quickly went viral, with fans charmed by the irony that Jackson once had to convince his parents to let him leave behind a promising fencing career for music—the very dream his name quietly carried all along.
