Hollywood Boulevard transformed into a glittering tribute to the King of Pop on Monday night as the highly anticipated Michael Jackson biopic “Michael” held its Los Angeles premiere at the iconic Dolby Theatre, just days before the film hits U.S. theaters on Thursday, April 24.
The star-studded event drew an impressive roster of celebrities including Magic Johnson, Usher, Martin Lawrence, Raven-Symoné and Miles Teller, all dressed in black and sequined attire befitting a celebration of the legendary performer who died nearly 17 years ago. The premiere featured a striking black and gold carpet that set the stage for what many are calling one of Hollywood’s most emotional film events of the year.
At the center of attention was Jaafar Jackson, Michael Jackson’s nephew and son of Jermaine Jackson, who portrays his famous uncle in the film. For the 29-year-old actor making his film debut, the experience remains surreal. “(This) being the first time that I’ve ever got into acting and to be able to portray my Uncle Michael, it’s so surreal,” Jaafar told AFP. “I’m still taking it in and not really realizing how much it’s going to hit me or when it’s going to hit me. But, you know, it’s incredible.”
The Jackson family turned out in force to support the film, with La Toya, Marlon, Jackie and Jermaine Jackson all walking the carpet. La Toya Jackson offered perhaps the highest praise for her nephew’s transformative performance. “I was flabbergasted. I have to tell you that you think it’s Mike,” she told The Hollywood Reporter. “You forget it’s Jaafar, you think it’s Michael.”
Jackie Jackson echoed the sentiment, telling AFP that watching the film brought tears to his eyes as he watched what appeared to be his brother performing on stage once again. The family’s involvement in the project extended far beyond premiere night, with Michael Jackson’s estate playing a major role throughout production.
Producer Graham King revealed that Prince Jackson, Michael’s eldest son, was on set every day during filming and participated actively in the development process. Prince attended the Los Angeles premiere after previously walking the carpet with his brother Bigi at the film’s world premiere in Berlin on April 10.
However, the premiere also highlighted tensions within the Jackson family. Notably absent were Michael’s other two children, Paris and Bigi Jackson. While Bigi supported the film at the Berlin premiere, Paris has been vocal about her opposition to the project, writing on social media that she read an early draft of the script and gave notes about what she found “dishonest” and what “didn’t sit right” with her, only to have those concerns go unaddressed.
Paris is currently embroiled in a legal dispute with her father’s estate and its executors, John Branca and John McClain, questioning how the estate’s finances are being managed. Screenwriter John Logan, who received sole writing credit on the film, has acknowledged that the project navigated complicated family dynamics, with some members choosing not to participate in the process.
The film, directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by Logan, chronicles Michael Jackson’s journey from child star with The Jackson 5 to his breakout as a solo artist through the release of “Bad” in 1987 — the first installment of what is planned as a two-part biopic. The film features Nia Long as Katherine Jackson and Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson, with Miles Teller portraying entertainment lawyer John Branca.
Director Fuqua expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming support at the Los Angeles premiere, telling AFP, “It’s beautiful to see all these people here to support Michael Jackson and support the movie, and to show love for Michael.”
The film’s production involved navigating complex legal and ethical considerations. The original script included depictions of child sex abuse allegations against Jackson, including those made by Jordan Chandler in 1993. However, Chandler’s settlement with Jackson contained a clause preventing his depiction in any dramatization of Jackson’s life, forcing the filmmakers to reshoot portions of the story and push back the release date.
Despite family disagreements and controversy surrounding the film’s scope, the Jackson siblings who attended emphasized their unity. Marlon Jackson reflected on the family’s dynamics, telling AFP, “I think people understand and realize that the Jackson family is no different than any family. We go through our trials and tribulations, ups and downs, but we learn to agree to disagree.”
“Michael” premiered in Berlin before its U.S. release, generating significant buzz and polarized reactions from fans and critics. The film has drawn generally negative reviews — holding a 32% score on Rotten Tomatoes — though Jaafar Jackson’s performance has earned widespread praise. As audiences prepare for Thursday’s release, the question remains whether the film can satisfy both devoted fans and skeptics while navigating the complex legacy of one of music’s most influential and polarizing figures.