Colman Domingo Defends ‘Michael’ Biopic Amid Backlash, Addresses “Whitewashing” Claims Over Missing Abuse Allegations

Actor Colman Domingo has spoken out in support of the new Michael Jackson biopic Michael after it faced strong criticism for leaving out parts of the singer’s later life, including sexual abuse allegations.

The film, set to release in cinemas worldwide today, has already received mixed reactions from critics. Early reviews have placed it at around 40 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, with many pointing to the film’s narrow focus as a major issue.

Domingo, who plays Joe Jackson in the movie, addressed the criticism during a press interview, as reported by NBC’s Today show. He was asked about the decision to end the story in 1988, years before the allegations against Jackson first became public.

The interviewer also raised concerns that the film avoids important parts of Jackson’s history and asked how Domingo responds to claims that the movie “whitewashed” those events.

Domingo explained that the film is focused on an earlier period of Jackson’s life and does not extend into later controversies. He said, “The film takes place from the 1960s to 1988, so it does not go into the first allegations in, what, 2005? Basically, we centre it on the makings of Michael. It’s an intimate portrait of who Michael is.”

He added that the project is meant to show Jackson’s upbringing and early career path. Domingo also suggested that more could be explored in the future, saying, “there’s a possibility of it being a part two that may deal with some other things that happened afterwards”.

He further explained that the main focus was on Jackson’s early development as an artist and his relationship with his family. According to Domingo, the film is about how he shaped his identity and found his voice in music.

Reports from Variety in March added more context to the controversy. The report said the production spent around 15 million dollars on reshoots after changes were made to the original version of the film.

It was also reported that earlier cuts of the movie included references to abuse allegations involving Jackson, but those scenes were removed later in production. The report suggested legal restrictions linked to a past settlement played a role in those changes.

The film has also created disagreement within the Jackson family. Michael Jackson’s daughter Paris has publicly criticized the project, calling parts of it inaccurate and describing sections as “full-blown lies.” She was not involved in the film.

At the same time, other family members have taken a different stance. Some of Jackson’s nephews have defended the biopic on social media, saying it reflects their view of his legacy and personal life.

The mixed reactions from critics, cast members, and family have turned Michael into one of the most debated music biopics ahead of its release.

From a wider point of view, this situation highlights how difficult it is for films based on real people to balance storytelling with sensitive history. It also raises questions about what audiences expect from biographical films today. What do you think about how this movie handled its story? Share your thoughts in the comments.