The ‘MJ Kid’ – poised for the Broadway stage
Bradley Hartmann was dubbed the 'MJ Kid' thanks to the way his dance moves are similar to that of the late Michael Jackson.
POLOKWANE – At the tender age of 11, Bradley Hartmann ascended onto the South Africa’s Got Talent stage and wowed the judges.
Hartmann was dubbed the ‘MJ Kid’ as his dance moves resemble that of the late Michael Jackson.
“I was very young at the time but South Africa’s Got Talent was good publicity and gave me the chance to show other people what I can do. People around the country started contacting me to do bigger gigs at places such as Emperor’s Palace, Monte Casino and Sun City. I started to get paid for doing what I love and I realised that I could make a career out of doing what I love, which is performing.”
The kid became a young man who moved on to study musical theatre at Oakfields College after he matriculated at Hoërskool Pietersburg. Hartmann said this three-year course changed his life completely and opened doors for him.
“I started dancing when I was seven years old, but only started to take it seriously when I was 15. During my time at Oakfields, I did multiple theatre productions at big theatres, gigs with some of the best dance companies in South Africa, music videos with famous South African stars, TV work as well as corporate events.”
Bradley said he never really had dance lessons as a child but added that his older brother, Warren, taught him some moves. They also taught themselves from videotapes and adapted their styles as they grew older. His favourite styles are hip-hop, tap and free-styling.
Bradley also participated in SA Championships of Performing Arts, Satch and SA Association of Performing Arts.
“I was lucky enough to have parents who fully supported me and drove miles to take me to participate in every competition. All these competitions have helped me grow and develop to the dancer and performer that I am today. My best memories came from winning these competitions and having the chance to go to the US and win overall dance awards, while meeting people in the industry whom I work with today. It has opened many new doors such as singing, acting and other styles of dancing.”
Dancing took Bradley to Paris and Orlando, Florida. He was scouted by two agents where he got the chance to do an audition for Universal Studios and meet established people in the performing arts field. This whole experience helped him grow as a person and more so as a performer. It opened his eyes to what the arts industry is all about.
“I do not have a dancing school yet but I teach private classes. I also work as a freelancer in the arts industry. Covid-19 forced me to offer online Zoom classes where I teach hip-hop, tap, jazz and contemporary dance classes. At this moment, artists are left with no work and the only thing that is running is TV and film, which I am currently auditioning for.”
Bradley’s dream is to open up his own production company overseas and perform on “the biggest stage of them all”, Broadway.
