‘Reacher’ Star Alan Ritchson (43) Stuns Fans With a Surprisingly Soulful Michael Jackson Cover
Most fans know Alan Ritchson as the towering, fist-first hero of ‘Reacher’, but the ‘Reacher’ star has just reminded the internet that his talents stretch well beyond throwing punches. Since its 2022 debut, the Prime Video series has become one of the platform’s most-watched shows, and Ritchson’s imposing take on Lee Child’s drifter has made him one of streaming’s most recognizable action leads.
It has been a busy stretch for the actor. ‘Reacher’ Season 4, adapted from Lee Child’s ‘Gone Tomorrow’, premiered on August 12 and wrapped its run on September 16, the same day the spinoff ‘Neagley’ dropped all 8 of its episodes. Cameras are now rolling on Season 5, which adapts ‘Make Me’, the 20th novel in the Jack Reacher series.
In the middle of that hectic schedule, Ritchson took to Instagram with something nobody expected: a video of himself singing Michael Jackson’s “Human Nature.” Wearing a black T-shirt, a black cap, and a watch, he jokingly framed it as a modest hotel room attempt, inviting viewers to either enjoy it or mock it.
The clip features an acoustic instrumental of the song playing in the background as Ritchson belts out the vocals. For anyone used to seeing him in brutal fight scenes, hearing him hit those notes has come as a genuinely pleasant surprise.
The performance quickly spread far beyond his own page. A version shared on X went fully viral, while other accounts praised the action star’s impressive vocal range and smooth tone.
Ritchson’s comment section turned into a full-blown fan club. Followers praised his vocals, with one dubbing him “Reacher Jackson” and others marveling at how the hulking action hero apparently has the voice of an angel.
The reaction speaks to how rarely audiences get to see this side of him. Some outlets even mused that he could have been a chart-topping artist instead of a sought-after actor, while noting there’s no word yet on whether the clip signals any return to music.
For longtime followers, the singing chops aren’t entirely new. Ritchson auditioned for ‘American Idol’ during its third season, where Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson questioned his commitment to the music industry but were impressed by his talent.
Music was actually his first ambition. He reportedly received multiple scholarship offers to study voice but found formal musical education absurd, later describing songwriting as his first love and claiming it came naturally to him.
He has also expressed some frustration over how the show’s editors shaped his story, though he generally looks back on the experience with a sense of humor. After ‘Idol’, his career quickly shifted toward acting roles that had nothing to do with singing.
The song choice adds another layer to the moment. “Human Nature” was released in July 1983 as the 5th single from Jackson’s album ‘Thriller’, and it’s known as a slower, more intimate track than the record’s other hits.
Its staying power has been remarkable. The ballad recently cracked the top 10 of the U.K. Singles chart more than 40 years after its release, so Ritchson’s cover lands at a moment when the classic is already enjoying a fresh wave of attention.
For now, Ritchson is focused on bringing Jack Reacher back for another round of hard-hitting justice. Still, a viral clip like this shows that audiences are hungry to see the man behind the muscle, and it may not be the last time he puts his voice front and center.
Would you like to see Alan Ritchson explore his musical side beyond ‘Reacher’?
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