Stepping into the shoes of a legend is no small feat. For Jaafar Jackson, portraying his late uncle Michael Jackson in the highly anticipated biopic ‘Michael’ meant more than learning the moonwalk or donning sequined gloves. It required finding the heart, the vulnerability, and the authenticity behind the King of Pop.
“I never dreamed of being an actor or even thought of playing him. But I knew it was a calling,” Jaafar, 29, says in a behind-the-scenes video released February 10. “Embodying Michael, I really had to earn the role and prove to the filmmakers that I was capable of becoming Michael. Essentially it was starting at the roots and finding the authenticity.”
Jaafar, the son of Jermaine Jackson, was no stranger to Michael’s music or legacy, but capturing the essence of his uncle’s personality was an entirely different challenge.
© Steve GranitzOn set, he immersed himself in Michael’s life, observing every movement, every nuance of performance. The teaser gives audiences a glimpse: Jaafar flawlessly recreates ‘Thriller’ and ‘Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough,’ from stage choreography to studio sessions with Kendrick Sampson as Quincy Jones. But beyond the iconic moves, he aimed to convey the humanity behind the legend.
“I felt that love for Michael every day on set from the crew and the cast. Everybody had that love and wanted to put their heart and soul into it,” Jaafar recalls. “It wasn’t just about imitating the steps or the voice. It was about channeling his spirit, his joy, his vulnerability, and his relentless drive to be the best.”
© LionsgateDirector Antoine Fuqua, who helmed the project, watched Jaafar’s process with admiration. “Day one, all I could think of was, ‘Can Jaafar really pull this off?’ Man, when the music started and he hit those first few moves, I mean, this guy killed it. I looked at Graham and Graham looked at me, I was like, ‘Who is this guy?!’” Fuqua adds, “He has the desire — like Michael — to be the best.”
© Chris WalterProducer Graham King echoed that sentiment. “Going through this process of who can play Michael, how do you even start with that? And then, of course, I meet Jaafar Jackson.” It wasn’t simply a matter of casting a Jackson family member. It was about finding someone who could live and breathe Michael Jackson, inside and out.
© LionsgateTo capture the full story, ‘Michael’ traces his journey from the Jackson 5’s prodigious lead to a global icon. Jaafar worked alongside a cast portraying Michael’s family and collaborators. Juliano Krue Valdi as young Michael, Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson, Nia Long as Katherine Jackson, Miles Teller as John Branca, and Laura Harrier as Suzanne de Passe.
© Vinnie ZuffanteEach encounter on set offered Jaafar a deeper understanding of the relationships that shaped Michael’s life, informing how he embodied the character.
Audiences will see the result when ‘Michael’ hits theaters April 24, 2026. While the film promises a dazzling look at Michael’s most iconic performances, for Jaafar Jackson, the true triumph lies in connecting to the humanity that made his uncle unforgettable.
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