The biopic *Michael*, chronicling the life of the late pop icon Michael Jackson, premiered in Los Angeles on Monday with the Jackson family in attendance. Directed by Antoine Fuqua, the film stars Jaafar Jackson—Michael’s nephew and the son of Jermaine Jackson—in the title role. Jaafar explained that his preparation involved a deep dive into archival footage and an effort to understand Michael’s mindset after performances. “I really came with dissecting a lot of the videos and also getting as much insight into how Michael felt after each performance, which was hard to get because none of that is online,” he said. He added that learning Michael was dissatisfied with certain aspects of his Motown performances, such as the spin to the toes and the moonwalk, gave him creative freedom: “That gave me the liberty to not try and do it perfectly.”
Colman Domingo portrays Michael’s father, Joe Jackson, known for his demanding nature, while Nia Long plays Katherine Jackson, Michael’s mother, who balanced her faith with her family’s fame. Long reflected on Katherine’s character, telling reporters, “That divine feminine energy can accomplish anything. When I think of Katherine Jackson, I think of a woman who was very deliberate about her choices. She was a God‑fearing woman, is a God‑fearing woman. She is dedicated to her family.”
For Michael’s sister, LaToya Jackson, seeing her early life recreated on screen was an emotional experience. “It was touching and yes, of course I cried. However, Colman did a fabulous job as my father and I’m very proud of that as well,” she said. Michael’s older brother, Jackie Jackson, also attended the premiere and emphasized the family’s passion for entertainment: “A lot of people think that my father made us. No, we loved to entertain. That’s what we wanted to do in life. As little kids we entertained. That’s what we love to do.”
*Michael* is set to open in theaters on April 22 in the United Kingdom and April 24 in the United States, offering audiences an intimate look at the life and legacy of one of the most influential figures in music history.
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