New Delhi: Jaafar Jackson has quickly become one of the most talked-about new faces in Hollywood. Not because of his lengthy filmography, but because of the huge legacy he is stepping into. Jaafar is now at the centre of one of the most ambitious films ever made, Michael.
The biopic is about the life of the superstar and his uncle, Michael Jackson, who died in 2009 at age 50 from acute propofol and benzodiazepine intoxication, causing cardiac arrest.
Backed by Lionsgate, Michael is set for release on 24 April. Rumours surrounding a possible sequel to the film have already begun circulating. The film, directed by Antoine Fuqua, promises an expansive look at the life of the King of Pop from his childhood in the Jackson 5 to his rise as an international superstar.
Jaafar is the son of Jermaine Jackson, MJ’s older brother. He grew up in a world of music, filmfare, and global fame, which were constants in his growing-up years. Jaafar’s early public appearance was on the reality series The Jacksons: Next Generation (2015), following which he released his debut single ‘Got Me Singing’ in 2019. But apart from a few singles over the years, Jafaar’s career remained relatively low-key until he was cast to play his paternal uncle.
Ever since Michael was announced, Jaafar has been a permanent fixture in headlines and on social media.
But why Jaafar Jackson?
A common question circulating on social media is: “Why Jaafar?” At first, the obvious answer is lineage. But reducing the casting to that wouldn’t be ideal.
Jaafar also brings an uncanny physical resemblance to his uncle, one that extends beyond facial features into posture, movement, and performance style. His background as a singer and dancer also played a crucial role in him landing the film.
Biopics live and die by their central performances. In recent years, portrayals like Rami Malek’s Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody (2018) and Austin Butler’s Elvis (2022) have shown how transformative these roles can be, for both the actor and the audience.
But for Jaafar, the stakes may be even higher. He isn’t just playing a global icon. He is portraying a family member whose life continues to evoke admiration, debate, and controversy in equal parts.
In a recent interview with Today, Jaafar opened up about how he wanted to portray MJ in a balanced way, both through his acting and his dance moves.
“I wanted to set goals for myself to nail the mannerisms. It was the voice of it was just his essence and how he goes about in a conversational way. But I wanted to make sure I had everything in a balanced way, I didn’t want the dancing to outdo the acting and the acting outdo the dancing,” Jaafar said.
Another possible reason for casting Jafaar to play his uncle is that the film is closely tied to the Jackson estate, and casting a family member ensures a degree of trust and alignment in how the story is told. For a star like MJ, who remains as complex and debated as ever, control over the storytelling is of utmost importance.
MJ’s mother, Katherine Jackson, had given the seal of approval to the casting when it was announced in 2023. His daughter, Paris Jackson, however, has been critical of the film, saying that she wasn’t involved and that it has some inaccuracies.
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The highs and lows of playing the King of Pop
If Michael succeeds, it won’t just reintroduce the King of Pop to a new generation but will also cement Jaafar’s presence as an actor. If it doesn’t, the attempt itself will be relegated as one of the boldest casting decisions in recent history.
Reflecting on his journey, Jaafar described the role as something he had to truly earn.
“It was a process that I really had to earn, and it really proved to the filmmakers and myself and my family that I can get to that point where I can pull it off,” Jafaar said.
Speaking about the magnitude of the project, he acknowledged the weight of responsibility that comes with portraying such an iconic figure.
“There’s definitely a responsibility that you feel going into something this big, and the scope, and to tell it in a cinematic way. There’re so many moments that I wanted to nail and make sure I had the true essence and that feeling. I had to feel it to make sure I believed in it, first,” the singer added.
During a press interaction to promote the film, Jaafar shared fond memories of playing hide-and-go-seek, going on rides and watching movies with his uncle as a child.
“I remember growing up, we would have family time. Michael would come over to where I was growing up … and we’d have some days where we’d all get together, play family game day. We’d have wonderful times at Neverland and just playing hide-and-go-seek, getting as much candy, going on rides, and watching movies. It was all fun,” he said.
But Jaafar is no longer on the sidelines of Michael Jackson’s legacy. He is front and centre, redefining it for the screen and for himself.
(Edited by Insha Jalil Waziri)