The New York Liberty’s resident scene-stealer is back at it again. On May 21, Ellie the Elephant delivered another music-inspired halftime performance, this time honoring Michael Jackson during a Liberty game at Barclays Center. Videos from the night quickly spread across TikTok, showing the WNBA mascot dancing to some of Jackson’s biggest records, including “The Way You Make Me Feel,” “Billie Jean,” and “Human Nature.”
The performance added another viral moment to Ellie’s growing reputation inside the WNBA. Fans online shared clips of the mascot recreating Jackson-inspired choreography while backed by a dance crew on the Barclays Center floor. The routine leaned heavily into Jackson’s signature performance style, with Ellie mixing dramatic poses, synchronized movement, and even a moonwalk throughout the set.
Ellie the Elephant has become a recognizable figure for the New York Liberty since debuting as the team’s official mascot in 2021. According to the organization, the mascot was created to represent qualities tied to both elephants and the franchise itself, including resilience, determination, loyalty, and community.
In recent seasons, Ellie’s halftime appearances and courtside antics have regularly generated attention online, especially when tied to New York music and pop culture references.
Recently, Ellie also went viral for a halftime tribute performance dedicated to Mary J. Blige.
The Michael Jackson tribute arrives during a renewed wave of attention surrounding the late pop star. The recently released biopic Michael, directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring Jackson’s nephew Jaafar Jackson, has become one of the year’s biggest theatrical releases.
Interest in Jackson’s legacy has also extended beyond the film itself. Recent reporting from USA Today highlighted renewed public attention around Ali, an African elephant once owned by Jackson at Neverland Ranch.
Ali now lives at the Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens, where the elephant has become the subject of viral TikTok videos following Michael’s success.
