Janet Jackson chose not to be a character in “Michael,” the highly anticipated Antoine Fuqua-directed biopic about her late brother, Michael Jackson.
Despite the film’s deep exploration of the Jackson family dynasty and Michael’s rise to global superstardom, the “Rhythm Nation” singer reportedly opted out of having her likeness included in the project.
Latoya Jackson speaks:
LaToya Jackson confirmed her sister’s absence during the film’s world premiere at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on Monday night. Speaking on the red carpet, LaToya revealed that producers reached out to Janet regarding the production, but she decided to maintain her distance from the cinematic retelling of her brother’s life. “I wish everybody was in the movie,” LaToya Jackson said during an interview at the event.
“She was asked and she kindly declined, so you have to respect her wishes.” While Janet Jackson is missing from the screen, other family members are portrayed by a cast of veteran actors and rising stars. Jessica Sula takes on the role of LaToya Jackson, while Colman Domingo and Nia Long portray the family’s parents, Joe and Katherine Jackson. The lead role is played by Michael’s own nephew, Jaafar Jackson, whose performance has already garnered praise from the family.
LaToya Jackson spoke highly of her nephew’s portrayal of the King of Pop, noting the uncanny resemblance in his performance. She said the Jackson family often felt as though they were “watching Mike” when Jaafar was in character.
Directing the film, Antoine Fuqua noted that while Janet Jackson is not a character, she remains supportive of Jaafar’s burgeoning career and his leading role in the film. “I have so much respect and love for Janet, but you know it’s OK,” Fuqua said regarding her absence from the script. He emphasized that her support for Jaafar was the most important factor for the production team.
While Michael’s son, Prince Jackson, served as an executive producer, his daughter Paris Jackson has publicly voiced her disapproval. Paris recently claimed the film contains “inaccuracies” and “full blown lies,” suggesting the project caters to fans who prefer a sanitized version of her father’s complicated legacy.
Despite the internal family differences, Fuqua maintained that involving the Jacksons was a priority throughout production. He said it was “very important” to have the family’s input to ensure they were comfortable with how the story was being told.
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