After what feels like an eternity of waiting, the massively anticipated Michael Jackson biopic, simply and boldly titled Michael, is finally making its way into cinemas this week. For fans of the King of Pop and cinema lovers alike, this is a moment that has been a long time coming, and the buzz surrounding the film’s release has been nothing short of extraordinary.
The film takes audiences on a deeply immersive journey through the early chapters of Michael Jackson’s extraordinary life and career– starting from his humble but electrifying beginnings as the youngest and most magnetic member of The Jackson 5 in the 1970s, and charting his remarkable transformation into one of the most iconic and celebrated solo artists the world has ever seen through the 1980s. It is a story of talent, ambition, fame, and complexity all rolled into one.
Now, it is worth acknowledging that the film does come with its share of controversy. Given the serious allegations that have surrounded Michael Jackson’s legacy in the years following his death, many have been watching closely to see how the filmmakers choose to handle those aspects of his story. That debate is very much alive and ongoing. But regardless of where one stands on that conversation, there is very little argument that Michael is positioned to be one of the biggest and most talked-about films of the entire year.
The Casting Decision That Has Everyone Talking
Without a doubt, one of the most fascinating and widely discussed stories surrounding the making of this biopic is the casting of Jaafar Jackson– Michael Jackson’s own nephew- in the title role. It is a casting decision that is equal parts bold, emotional, and deeply personal, and Jaafar’s performance has already been generating significant attention and conversation ahead of the film’s release. But who exactly is Jaafar Jackson, and what do we really know about the young man who has taken on perhaps the most daunting acting challenge in recent Hollywood history? Here is everything you need to know.
He Is Jermaine Jackson’s Son
Jaafar Jackson is the son of none other than Jermaine Jackson, one of Michael’s older brothers and a fellow member of the original Jackson 5 lineup. Within the group, Jermaine played a crucial dual role- he served as the second lead vocalist alongside Michael and also handled bass guitar duties, making him one of the more musically versatile members of the iconic family act.
Jermaine’s own career has had its fair share of twists and turns over the decades. He departed from the Jackson 5 back in 1976, going on to carve out a solo career that yielded several notable hits during the 1980s. He eventually found his way back to the fold, rejoining the Jacksons later in that same decade and continuing to perform with various iterations of the group all the way through to 2020. In many ways, music and performance have always been the lifeblood of the Jackson family, and Jaafar is very much a product of that rich and deeply ingrained legacy.
Jaafar Is One Of 12 Siblings
Family has always been at the core of the Jackson story, and Jaafar’s own family life is no exception. Through his father Jermaine and his mother Alejandra Oaziaza, Jaafar grew up surrounded by 11 siblings– a mix of nine brothers and two sisters- making for quite the full and lively household by anyone’s standards.
The family’s larger-than-life dynamic was even put on public display when Jaafar, along with his family, appeared on the reality television series Living with the Jacksons, which aired back in 2015. The show offered viewers a rare and candid glimpse into what daily life looks like behind the scenes for one of the most famous families in the history of entertainment.
He Once Dreamed Of Becoming A Professional Golfer
Given the family he was born into, it is perhaps not the greatest surprise that Jaafar Jackson eventually found himself drawn to the world of music and performance. He first began singing and dancing at the age of 12, and has even dipped his toes into the music industry as a solo artist- releasing singles along the way, including his 2019 track Got Me Singing.
However, here is something that might genuinely catch you off guard- Jaafar did not always have showbusiness on his mind. Believe it or not, there was a period during his childhood when he had his sights firmly set on an entirely different career path altogether. For a time, young Jaafar harboured a serious ambition to become a professional golfer. It is a detail that feels almost hilariously at odds with where his life has ended up, but it speaks to the fact that even kids growing up in the most famous musical family in the world are allowed to dream in unexpected directions. Needless to say, the golf career never quite materialised- and given where he is today, it is safe to say things have worked out rather well.
Jaafar Has Warm And Cherished Memories Of His Uncle Michael
Michael Jackson passed away on June 25, 2009, when Jaafar was just 12 years old– the same age at which he had only recently begun exploring his own love of singing and dancing. Despite being so young when he lost his uncle, Jaafar has spoken openly and warmly about the memories he holds close from their time together.
The two would cross paths regularly at family gatherings, and Jaafar was also fortunate enough to spend time at Michael’s legendary Neverland Ranch– the sprawling and almost mythical private estate that was famous the world over for housing its very own theme park and zoo on its grounds. In an appearance on the popular NBC programme Today, Jaafar fondly recalled the simple, joyful moments they shared together- watching movies, playing around, and eating candy. It is a tender and very human image of one of the most famous people who ever lived, seen through the eyes of a child who simply knew him as his uncle.
He Spent Years Perfecting Michael’s Iconic Moves
Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of Jaafar Jackson’s journey to this role is just how little acting experience he had going into it- and yet how completely and utterly he has committed to getting it right. Before being cast in Michael, Jaafar had no formal acting background to speak of. Despite that, he came to the attention of the film’s producer, Graham King, back in 2020, who approached him about the possibility of taking on the role.
During the audition process, Jaafar did something that was both creative and deeply personal- he recorded and sent King a voice note of himself performing in character as Michael, giving the producer an early taste of what he was capable of. Clearly, it left an impression.
From that point on, Jaafar threw himself into an intensive period of preparation. Michael Jackson was, of course, not just a singer but a complete and total performer- his dance moves alone are the stuff of legend, studied and imitated by millions around the world. Understanding the sheer weight of that responsibility, Jaafar spent a significant amount of time working closely with both singing and dance coaches, dedicating himself to capturing the essence of his uncle’s performance style as faithfully and authentically as possible. In fact, he worked with those coaches for the better part of two full years before his casting was even officially confirmed- a testament to just how seriously he took the challenge and how determined he was to do justice to Michael’s legacy.
Jaafar Is Engaged
While Jaafar has been largely successful in keeping his personal life away from the glare of the public eye, one significant and joyful piece of news did make its way into the spotlight earlier this year. In February 2025, Jaafar got engaged to his long-term partner, Maddie Simpson, a singer and content creator with whom he has been in a relationship since 2016. The couple have, for the most part, chosen to keep their romance quietly out of the headlines over the years- a refreshing choice given the level of fame that comes attached to the Jackson name.
That said, the two were recently spotted together publicly at the Berlin premiere of Michael, making their red carpet appearance as an engaged couple and giving fans a rare and welcome glimpse of Jaafar’s life outside of the spotlight.
With the film now in cinemas and the world watching, all eyes are firmly on Jaafar Jackson- a young man who has spent years preparing for a moment that is as much personal as it is professional. Whether you are heading to see Michael for the music, the spectacle, or simply out of curiosity, there is no question that Jaafar’s performance will be one of the most talked-about aspects of the entire film.
