He is not standing on a stage.
There are no photographers surrounding him.
There is no dramatic setting suggesting that the image was deliberately created as a celebrity impersonation.
He simply appears to be sitting on public transportation.
That contrast makes the resemblance even more surprising.
Michael Jackson was one of the most recognizable entertainers of the modern era. For decades, his appearance was seen on television screens, magazine covers, concert posters, album artwork and newspapers around the world.
His face became deeply familiar to generations of music fans.
So when someone appears in an unexpected place with features that remind people of Jackson, recognition can happen almost instantly.
A hairstyle, the shape of the face, the eyes, the nose, an expression or even the angle at which a person is photographed can create a powerful impression.
For a moment, the brain fills in the rest.
That appears to be much of the appeal surrounding this photograph.
