Who’s Jaafar Jackson? Meet Michael Jackson’s Nephew and Star of ‘Michael’
Fans of Michael Jackson got their first look at the singer’s life on the big screen with the release of a teaser trailer for the new biopic Michae yesterday.
The film stars Jaafar Jackson, the son of Michael’s brother Jermaine, portraying the King of Pop and performing his iconic songs and dance moves.
The movie is directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by John Logan. It features an ensemble cast including Colman Domingo as Michael’s father and manager Joe Jackson, Nia Long as his mother Katherine, and Kat Graham as Motown legend Diana Ross. Miles Teller plays Michael’s lawyer and manager John Branca, while Juliano Krue Valdi appears as a young Michael.
In the trailer, Jaafar Jackson wears the signature costumes and wide-brimmed hats that Michael was famous for on stage.
MICHAEL – in theaters April 24, 2026. pic.twitter.com/xd5Mj0c8yr
— Michael (@michaelmovie) November 6, 2025
Jaafar Jackson was almost destined to play the late “King of Pop.” As the son of Michael’s older brother Jermaine Jackson and Alejandra Genevieve Oaziaza, Jaafar grew up surrounded by one of the most famous musical families in the world and decided early on to follow in their footsteps.
Born in January 1996, Jaafar is Jermaine’s sixth child. His father, Jermaine, and uncles Jackie, Marlon, Tito, Michael, and Randy formed the legendary group The Jackson 5, which sold over 150 million records. His aunts Janet, La Toya, and Rebbie Jackson are also well-known artists. Jermaine married Alejandra in 1995, and they remained together until 2003.
Jaafar first caught public attention with his 2019 debut single, “Got Me Singing.” That same year, he appeared alongside his cousins Taj, Taryll, and TJ in the short-lived reality show The Jacksons: Next Generation, which followed the younger members of the family as they built their own careers. He later collaborated with his uncle Tito Jackson and Stevie Wonder on the 2021 song “Love One Another.”
In January 2023, director Antoine Fuqua and producer Graham King announced that Jaafar would portray his uncle in the biopic Michael. Jaafar expressed his excitement on Instagram, writing, “I’m humbled and honored to bring my uncle Michael’s story to life. To all the fans all over the world, I’ll see you soon.”
His casting followed a two-year worldwide search. Producer Graham King explained, “I met Jaafar over two years ago and was blown away by how naturally he embodies the spirit and personality of Michael. Even after an extensive search, it was clear he was the only person for the role.” Michael’s mother, Katherine Jackson, also praised the decision, saying, “Jaafar embodies my son. It’s wonderful to see him carry on the Jackson legacy of entertainers and performers.”
The biopic, produced in collaboration with Michael Jackson’s estate, aims to show a balanced view of the singer’s life. King told Variety in 2024, “Michael’s life was complicated. As a filmmaker, I look to humanize but not sanitize and let audiences decide how they feel after watching.”
To prepare for the role, Jaafar spent months studying his uncle’s voice, dance moves, and mannerisms. “My voice sits lower than my uncle Michael’s. He has a higher pitch,” Jaafar said in 2024. “We all have a similar tone in our voices — it’s just strong genes. I definitely got inspired by his music.”
Growing up, Jaafar shared fond memories of time spent with Michael at Neverland Ranch. “I remember playing hide and seek, going on rides, watching movies, and just having a great time,” he recalled in 2020. He also described how seeing Michael perform live for the first and only time — during The Jacksons’ 30th Anniversary show in New York — inspired him to pursue music.
Michael’s death in 2009 deeply affected Jaafar. “It was very tough. I can’t even put my mind back to how it felt that day,” he said in a 2020 interview.
Jaafar has been in a long-term relationship with Maddie Simpson, who has supported him throughout his career. The couple made their public debut at the Q85: A Musical Celebration for Quincy Jones event in 2018. Simpson shared her pride in Jaafar’s work after his casting, writing on Instagram, “The dedication, focus, love, and care he has put into this role is truly unparalleled. I can’t wait for the world to see how exceptional he is.”
Today, Jaafar continues to build his own career while honoring the family legacy. His portrayal of Michael Jackson is set to bring a new generation of fans closer to the man behind the music, through the eyes of someone who knew him best.
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