Last Chance To Visit Michael Jackson Exhibit in Atlantic City
Written by L. Burner on 10 August 2025
The King of Pop’s legacy is alive and well thanks to a New Jersey couple, Ryan and Vernay O’Neal. Currently, the couple is housing their massive collection of Michael Jackson and Jackson 5 memorabilia at The MJJ5 Exhibit at Showboat Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey until August 31st. Both were avid collectors before a chance meeting at Ryan’s MJ Exhibit in Wilmington Delaware, Vernay’s hometown. A match made in heaven, the two collectors tied the knot in 2020, in a ceremony with a wedding theme based on…what else?
Michael Jackson!
Once they married and combined their collections, it became a thing of legend! Fox News came calling and their collection was even voted, by fans, as The World’s Best MJ Collection. Now they own and operate their own gallery. Vernay collects memorabilia from Michael’s solo efforts and started during The Bad Era, while Ryan’s enthusiasm started with the group’s early popularity and he focuses mainly on The Jackson Five’s career, boasting collectibles from their cartoon and a forgotten but satisfying Alpha Bits Cereal campaign.
An ultra rare item in their collection is one of Tito Jackson’s actual guitars, signed by The Jacksons. Vernay has, in the collection, an autographed Invincible CD from Michael himself and the picture to prove it. Fans over 40 will probably remember Michael Jackson’s full-size arcade game, Moonwalker. Now they can play it for free when they visit The MJJ5 Exhibit. Other interactive experiences include, a hands on Michael Jackson slot machine (cash free), and fans can enjoy the ultra-cool experience of riding the 360 machine with a life-size MJ mannequin. And of course, there are countless, magazines, albums and dolls, and unique commercial brand items like Michael Jackson LA Gear sneakers, Michael Jackson View masters, and endless collectibles (you probably didn’t know existed), that span throughout the Pop star’s stellar and unmatched career. Souvenirs are also available.
Fans of all ages and colors have visited the exhibit, reflecting Michael Jackson’s diverse appeal. The exquisite display often overwhelms, and sends fans down memory lane, where they spontaneously offer up stories about which jacket they had or which member of the Jackson Five they had a crush on, even sharing with other visitors they don’t know. One simply gets a sense of unity and wonderment just by being there and connecting with other fans. It’s not unusual to see a family visit together and have their 9 year old, break out in signature MJ moves, while the parents sing and egg him on; thus proving that not only does Michael Jackson’s music transcend time, unify strangers and bridge the generation gap, but that his fans are still being born, 16 years after his passing… And perhaps, most of all, that there will always be those superfans like Vernay and Ryan who will go that extra mile to preserve his legacy and take his fans on a journey to Neverland.
What: MJ/J5 Exhibit
Where: Showboat Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City
Day: Tuesdays-Sundays
Time: 11am-7pm
Cost: $10
Ends August 31st 2025
More Info: Facebook and IG @ Vernay Lewis ONeal
Follow #MJJ5Exhibit on IG and FB
Fox News Interview
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