‘Michael’ drama: Which Jacksons said ‘no thanks’ and why the film cut the sexual abuse claims

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It was amazing to see so many of the Jackson family at the premiere of the new Michael Jackson biopic! Though, it’s also been a little sad to hear that some family members aren’t supporting the film and actually didn’t even come to the event.

At the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on Monday, members of the Jackson family praised the new Antoine Fuqua film about Michael Jackson. The movie tells the story of his life, from his childhood beginnings to becoming a global superstar in the 1980s.

Jaafar Jackson, Michael Jackson’s nephew and Jermaine Jackson’s son, played the lead role in the film, and his family members praised his performance. Marlon Jackson said the movie was so convincing, it often felt like they were watching Michael Jackson himself.

La Toya Jackson praised his performance as “absolutely excellent,” and like Marlon, she was so captivated she felt like she was watching her own brother instead of the performer.

Not everyone in the Jackson family was enthusiastic about the film. Janet Jackson, Michael’s sister and a famous singer herself, and his daughter, Paris Jackson, both didn’t attend the premiere. Rebbie Jackson, the oldest sibling, also chose not to be there. In fact, some Jackson siblings, including Janet, even requested that they not be featured in the movie.

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Dancing around controversy, the empathetic ‘Michael’ bows out before getting dark

Jaafar Jackson, Michael Jackson’s nephew, strikingly resembles his uncle and delivers a convincing performance as the King of Pop. However, the biopic directed by Antoine Fuqua feels incomplete, leaving many details of Michael’s life and career unexplored.

I was at the premiere with La Toya Jackson, and she told Variety she really wished everyone in the family had been in the movie. Apparently, someone was asked to participate but politely said no, and La Toya emphasized that we all need to respect their decision.

Last month, reports surfaced that singer Janet Jackson wasn’t happy after seeing an early screening of the movie. According to Page Six, she and her brother Jermaine had an argument, with Janet offering criticism throughout the film.

At the premiere on Monday, La Toya Jackson addressed the recent controversy surrounding her, immediately dismissing it as untrue. She stated firmly, “There were absolutely no issues at all. Please believe that.”

Both of Michael Jackson’s sons, Prince and Bigi, have shown support for the film, with Prince even taking on an executive producer role and frequently visiting the set. However, his daughter, Paris Jackson, has publicly stated she wasn’t involved in the project.

She revealed last year on social media that she’d given notes on an early version of the film, but the filmmakers didn’t incorporate her suggestions. She’s since decided to let it go, saying, “It wasn’t my film to begin with, so they’re free to make it however they choose.”

Paris Jackson, a model, actor, and musician, explained she’d been hesitant to share her true feelings about the recent project, knowing many fans would enjoy it. She felt the film catered to a particular segment of her father’s fanbase who prefer to see a romanticized version of his life.

She explained that biopics, being Hollywood productions, aren’t truly factual. They present a constructed narrative as reality, often containing inaccuracies and outright lies, which she finds problematic.

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Early versions of the “Michael” script included details about the 1993 allegations made by Jordan Chandler, who was 13 at the time, regarding sexual abuse. However, the Michael Jackson estate discovered a contract preventing the depiction of the Chandler family, forcing the filmmakers to remove those scenes from the script.

I was so excited for this movie when it was first announced, but it got delayed because they wanted to rework the ending. Apparently, they had to do a lot of extra filming to get it right! The version we’re finally seeing wraps up in 1988, and honestly, it ends on a note that makes you really hope they make a sequel! It definitely feels like there’s more story to tell.

Colman Domingo and Nia Long, who play Michael Jackson’s parents, Joe and Katherine, recently discussed the controversial aspects of the new movie about his life during an interview on “Today.”

As a film buff, I’m really intrigued by this new movie. It covers Michael’s life from the 1960s up to 1988, but interestingly, it doesn’t delve into the initial accusations against him. Instead, the filmmakers are really focusing on how Michael became Michael – it’s a very personal look at his life, told from his perspective. That’s what makes this film so unique, it’s truly an intimate portrait through his own eyes.

He added that a sequel is possible, potentially exploring events that follow the current story. This film focuses on Michael’s upbringing and his journey to establish himself as an independent artist and find his unique creative voice.

Long added that there might be a sequel, “if the price is right.”

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2026-04-23 05:01