Marina Galperina

Baba Valya: Michael Jackson Super-fan, Dancing Granny, Engima

This dancing granny from Minsk might be Michael Jackson's most sincere fan... or just loaded.

Belarussian Multimedia Magazine 34 recently produced this mini video profile of Valentina Mileshka of Minsk. Seen here fearlessly flailing in a smooth-n-spastic Jackson imitation behind a bunch of "Thriller" revivalists, Baba Valya shares her love and compassion for the late pop star, wishing him a happy birthday and, in a true babushka way, "health, health, health!" So she's not up on the news, but grandma's got heart.

"I love the music, adore it, " says the lively oldie. "From what I've read, he's had so many operations... he is sick," she shakes her head in empathy. But Baba Valya seems to be in good health, high-kicks and all.

Her extra good spirits, excited rambling-offs and just a tint of red-face makes you wonder though. Could Baba Valya really be such an anachronistic delight or is this reportage some well-timed Herzog-style puppeteering? It's not fair to accuse every dancing elderly Jackson fan of being a drunk, so let's not. Dance on, grandma, dance on.


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