NZ Herald
  • Home
  • Latest news
  • Herald NOW
  • Video
  • New Zealand
  • Sport
  • World
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Podcasts
  • Quizzes
  • Opinion
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Viva
  • Weather

Subscriptions

  • Herald Premium
  • Viva Premium
  • The Listener
  • BusinessDesk

Sections

  • Latest news
  • New Zealand
    • All New Zealand
    • Crime
    • Politics
    • Education
    • Open Justice
    • Scam Update
  • Herald NOW
  • On The Up
  • World
    • All World
    • Australia
    • Asia
    • UK
    • United States
    • Middle East
    • Europe
    • Pacific
  • Business
    • All Business
    • MarketsSharesCurrencyCommoditiesStock TakesCrypto
    • Markets with Madison
    • Media Insider
    • Business analysis
    • Personal financeKiwiSaverInterest ratesTaxInvestment
    • EconomyInflationGDPOfficial cash rateEmployment
    • Small business
    • Business reportsMood of the BoardroomProject AucklandSustainable business and financeCapital markets reportAgribusiness reportInfrastructure reportDynamic business
    • Deloitte Top 200 Awards
    • CompaniesAged CareAgribusinessAirlinesBanking and financeConstructionEnergyFreight and logisticsHealthcareManufacturingMedia and MarketingRetailTelecommunicationsTourism
  • Opinion
    • All Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Editorials
    • Business analysis
    • Premium opinion
    • Letters to the editor
  • Politics
  • Sport
    • All Sport
    • OlympicsParalympics
    • RugbySuper RugbyNPCAll BlacksBlack FernsRugby sevensSchool rugby
    • CricketBlack CapsWhite Ferns
    • Racing
    • NetballSilver Ferns
    • LeagueWarriorsNRL
    • FootballWellington PhoenixAuckland FCAll WhitesFootball FernsEnglish Premier League
    • GolfNZ Open
    • MotorsportFormula 1
    • Boxing
    • UFC
    • BasketballNBABreakersTall BlacksTall Ferns
    • Tennis
    • Cycling
    • Athletics
    • SailingAmerica's CupSailGP
    • Rowing
  • Lifestyle
    • All Lifestyle
    • Viva - Food, fashion & beauty
    • Society Insider
    • Royals
    • Sex & relationships
    • Food & drinkRecipesRecipe collectionsRestaurant reviewsRestaurant bookings
    • Health & wellbeing
    • Fashion & beauty
    • Pets & animals
    • The Selection - Shop the trendsShop fashionShop beautyShop entertainmentShop giftsShop home & living
    • Milford's Investing Place
  • Entertainment
    • All Entertainment
    • TV
    • MoviesMovie reviews
    • MusicMusic reviews
    • BooksBook reviews
    • Culture
    • ReviewsBook reviewsMovie reviewsMusic reviewsRestaurant reviews
  • Travel
    • All Travel
    • News
    • New ZealandNorthlandAucklandWellingtonCanterburyOtago / QueenstownNelson-TasmanBest NZ beaches
    • International travelAustraliaPacific IslandsEuropeUKUSAAfricaAsia
    • Rail holidays
    • Cruise holidays
    • Ski holidays
    • Luxury travel
    • Adventure travel
  • Kāhu Māori news
  • Environment
    • All Environment
    • Our Green Future
  • Talanoa Pacific news
  • Property
    • All Property
    • Property Insider
    • Interest rates tracker
    • Residential property listings
    • Commercial property listings
  • Health
  • Technology
    • All Technology
    • AI
    • Social media
  • Rural
    • All Rural
    • Dairy farming
    • Sheep & beef farming
    • Horticulture
    • Animal health
    • Rural business
    • Rural life
    • Rural technology
    • Opinion
    • Audio & podcasts
  • Weather forecasts
    • All Weather forecasts
    • Kaitaia
    • Whangārei
    • Dargaville
    • Auckland
    • Thames
    • Tauranga
    • Hamilton
    • Whakatāne
    • Rotorua
    • Tokoroa
    • Te Kuiti
    • Taumaranui
    • Taupō
    • Gisborne
    • New Plymouth
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Dannevirke
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Levin
    • Paraparaumu
    • Masterton
    • Wellington
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Blenheim
    • Westport
    • Reefton
    • Kaikōura
    • Greymouth
    • Hokitika
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
    • Wānaka
    • Oamaru
    • Queenstown
    • Dunedin
    • Gore
    • Invercargill
  • Meet the journalists
  • Promotions & competitions
  • OneRoof property listings
  • Driven car news

Puzzles & Quizzes

  • Puzzles
    • All Puzzles
    • Sudoku
    • Code Cracker
    • Crosswords
    • Cryptic crossword
    • Wordsearch
  • Quizzes
    • All Quizzes
    • Morning quiz
    • Afternoon quiz
    • Sports quiz

Regions

  • Northland
    • All Northland
    • Far North
    • Kaitaia
    • Kerikeri
    • Kaikohe
    • Bay of Islands
    • Whangarei
    • Dargaville
    • Kaipara
    • Mangawhai
  • Auckland
  • Waikato
    • All Waikato
    • Hamilton
    • Coromandel & Hauraki
    • Matamata & Piako
    • Cambridge
    • Te Awamutu
    • Tokoroa & South Waikato
    • Taupō & Tūrangi
  • Bay of Plenty
    • All Bay of Plenty
    • Katikati
    • Tauranga
    • Mount Maunganui
    • Pāpāmoa
    • Te Puke
    • Whakatāne
  • Rotorua
  • Hawke's Bay
    • All Hawke's Bay
    • Napier
    • Hastings
    • Havelock North
    • Central Hawke's Bay
    • Wairoa
  • Taranaki
    • All Taranaki
    • Stratford
    • New Plymouth
    • Hāwera
  • Manawatū - Whanganui
    • All Manawatū - Whanganui
    • Whanganui
    • Palmerston North
    • Manawatū
    • Tararua
    • Horowhenua
  • Wellington
    • All Wellington
    • Kapiti
    • Wairarapa
    • Upper Hutt
    • Lower Hutt
  • Nelson & Tasman
    • All Nelson & Tasman
    • Motueka
    • Nelson
    • Tasman
  • Marlborough
  • West Coast
  • Canterbury
    • All Canterbury
    • Kaikōura
    • Christchurch
    • Ashburton
    • Timaru
  • Otago
    • All Otago
    • Oamaru
    • Dunedin
    • Balclutha
    • Alexandra
    • Queenstown
    • Wanaka
  • Southland
    • All Southland
    • Invercargill
    • Gore
    • Stewart Island
  • Gisborne

Media

  • Video
    • All Video
    • NZ news video
    • Herald NOW
    • Business news video
    • Politics news video
    • Sport video
    • World news video
    • Lifestyle video
    • Entertainment video
    • Travel video
    • Markets with Madison
    • Kea Kids news
  • Podcasts
    • All Podcasts
    • The Front Page
    • On the Tiles
    • Ask me Anything
    • The Little Things
  • Cartoons
  • Photo galleries
  • Today's Paper - E-editions
  • Photo sales
  • Classifieds

NZME Network

  • Advertise with NZME
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • BusinessDesk
  • Newstalk ZB
  • Sunlive
  • ZM
  • The Hits
  • Coast
  • Radio Hauraki
  • The Alternative Commentary Collective
  • Gold
  • Flava
  • iHeart Radio
  • Hokonui
  • Radio Wanaka
  • iHeartCountry New Zealand
  • Restaurant Hub
  • NZME Events

SubscribeSign In
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Home / Lifestyle

Michael Jackson fan spends $44K on plastic surgery to look like idol

By Shireen Khalil
news.com.au·
27 Jan, 2019 10:25 PM4 mins to read

Subscribe to listen

Access to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Subscribe now to listen.
Already a subscriber?  Sign in here

Listening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech.
‌
Save

    Share this article

Leonardo Blanco is taking drastic steps to look like his idol Michael Jackson. Photo / Getty Images

Leonardo Blanco is taking drastic steps to look like his idol Michael Jackson. Photo / Getty Images

A man has gone to great lengths to look like the King of Pop.

Leo Blanco, from Argentina, spent more than $44,000 on 11 plastic surgery procedures to look like his idol, Michael Jackson.

Blanco, who has made a living as the "ultimate" Michael impersonator, also underwent numerous cosmetic procedures and yet the 22-year-old still isn't content with his looks and is due to go under the needle again

"Each surgery takes me closer to my objective," Blanco told Barcroft TV.

View this post on Instagram

Me da mucha vergüenza pero aquí estoy con 10 años menos #10yearschallenge #michaeljackson #kingofpop #michaeljacksonfan

A post shared by Leo Blanco (@leoblanco1) on Jan 15, 2019 at 5:24pm PST

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

He recently had mandibular contouring which will give him a more square, masculine chin and jawline — but said there are three surgeries missing on his nose and chin.

"I'd like to have my eyebrows a bit more lifted up, this could be done by getting injections," Blanco said.

"I'd like to get a face lifting, although all the surgeons refuse to do it because they say I'm not old enough. It's a constant fight between what my parents want, what I want and what the surgeons are willing to do."

His mother told the network that she fears for her son's life and that he is taking his obsession too far.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
View this post on Instagram

Hoy abro mi candidatura a Presidente de la nación Argentina. Lo hago por qué hay quienes me llaman ridiculo, y no hay nada más ridiculo en el mundo que un político. (Para los que no saben un presidente argentino dijo en los 90 que podríamos estar en 1 hora a Tokio ). Necesito su voto para poder llenarme de dinero , a cambio puedo poner los simpsons 24 hs en la Tv pública. Ph: @dislxeia

A post shared by Leo Blanco (@leoblanco1) on Jan 12, 2019 at 5:13pm PST

"I approve of him being a fan of Michael Jackson and impersonating him, but the plastic surgeries?" she told Barcroft TV

"I am worried because he talks about surgeries so relaxed as if he was going to a hairdresser, but I fear a lot that he is going to die in one of the surgeries."

His obsession with Jackson began when he was just a child and since then he wanted to transform into the pop singer.

His first modification began age 15 — he went on to have two otoplasty surgeries to reshape his ears, three liposuction surgeries, four rhinoplasty surgeries, and two hyaluronic acid and botox applications to enhance his cheekbones.

Discover more

Lifestyle

Crazy surgery men are spending $1k on

13 Apr 08:30 PM

Speaking to Barcroft TV, the 22-year-old admitted he had put his body, soul and all his money on the line to become the world's best Jackson impersonator.

"It's impossible to have just one or two surgeries done, you want more and more," he said. "I spent around $US30,000. It was not what I imagined but to reach my dream, it's worth it."

View this post on Instagram

Mi madre cuando vio esta foto me dijo que era un monstruo , pero que se le va a hacer ? Soy así... ahora me dedicaré al grafitti 😂 @kitch_tech Ph: @dislxeia #michaeljackson

A post shared by Leo Blanco (@leoblanco1) on Jan 6, 2019 at 10:51am PST

Blanco, who has even called his home Neverland, has dreams of being the best Jackson impersonator in the world.

The Buenos Aires entertainer often shares videos and pictures of himself performing throughout Argentina to this more than 41,000 Instagram followers.

BLANCO STRUGGLED WITH SELF-ESTEEM ISSUES

View this post on Instagram

GRACIAS ESTUDIO MAYOR 😍 PH: @DISLXEIA

A post shared by Leo Blanco (@leoblanco1) on Dec 17, 2018 at 5:19pm PST

The 22-year-old said he has struggled with self-esteem issues from a very young age.

He told Barcroft TV that he never had many friends at school.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

"I thought that there is something wrong with me and that I had to form my body, so I went to the gym and I bleached my hair blond," he explained.

"Despite being muscular and blond, I have never managed to connect with pupils of my age.

"I can say that today I'm surrounded by people who I love and not with people that the high school imposes on me."

Save

    Share this article

Latest from Lifestyle

New Zealand

Why Matariki has become one of NZ's most meaningful public holidays

16 Jun 03:37 AM
Royals

Prince Harry celebrated as 'the best' dad in touching Father's Day tribute

16 Jun 03:30 AM
Premium
Lifestyle

How to divorce well: Kiwi lawyer on how to avoid mistakes many couples make

16 Jun 01:30 AM

It was just a stopover – 18 months later, they call it home

sponsored
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Latest from Lifestyle

Why Matariki has become one of NZ's most meaningful public holidays

Why Matariki has become one of NZ's most meaningful public holidays

16 Jun 03:37 AM

Matariki falls on Friday, June 20, with events throughout the weekend.

Prince Harry celebrated as 'the best' dad in touching Father's Day tribute

Prince Harry celebrated as 'the best' dad in touching Father's Day tribute

16 Jun 03:30 AM
Premium
How to divorce well: Kiwi lawyer on how to avoid mistakes many couples make

How to divorce well: Kiwi lawyer on how to avoid mistakes many couples make

16 Jun 01:30 AM
'Quite fun': Hamish's quail egg business takes flight

'Quite fun': Hamish's quail egg business takes flight

16 Jun 12:09 AM
Sponsored: Embrace the senses
sponsored

Sponsored: Embrace the senses

NZ Herald
  • About NZ Herald
  • Meet the journalists
  • Newsletters
  • Classifieds
  • Help & support
  • Contact us
  • House rules
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Competition terms & conditions
  • Our use of AI
Subscriber Services
  • NZ Herald e-editions
  • Daily puzzles & quizzes
  • Manage your digital subscription
  • Manage your print subscription
  • Subscribe to the NZ Herald newspaper
  • Subscribe to Herald Premium
  • Gift a subscription
  • Subscriber FAQs
  • Subscription terms & conditions
  • Promotions and subscriber benefits
NZME Network
  • The New Zealand Herald
  • The Northland Age
  • The Northern Advocate
  • Waikato Herald
  • Bay of Plenty Times
  • Rotorua Daily Post
  • Hawke's Bay Today
  • Whanganui Chronicle
  • Viva
  • NZ Listener
  • Newstalk ZB
  • BusinessDesk
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • iHeart Radio
  • Restaurant Hub
NZME
  • About NZME
  • NZME careers
  • Advertise with NZME
  • Digital self-service advertising
  • Book your classified ad
  • Photo sales
  • NZME Events
  • © Copyright 2025 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP