Becoming the King of Pop: Jaafar Jackson on the making of 'Michael'

There are biopics, and then there are films that carry the weight of an entire legacy. Michael, the upcoming biographical drama based on Michael Jackson, firmly belongs to the latter.

Directed by Antoine Fuqua, the film is already one of the most talked-about projects globally, and for good reason. More than just a musician, Jackson was a a global phenomenon who reshaped pop music, performance, and fame as we know it. From record-breaking albums to unforgettable stage moments, his influence continues to shape artists even today.

And that is exactly why telling his story, most of which unfolded right in front of billions of eyes, is no easy task. It goes beyond recreating iconic performances or signature looks. It is about capturing who he was, both on stage and off it. And that is where Jaafar Jackson comes in. 

As Jackson’s nephew, Jaafar has a deeply personal connection to the story. But stepping into this role comes with a different kind of pressure. The expectations are massive, and the buzz around the film is only getting louder as its release approaches.

In an exclusive conversation with Cosmopolitan India, Jaafar opens up about stepping into his uncle’s shoes and what it really took to become Michael Jackson.

For him, preparation was intense and all-consuming. “I was relentless and rehearsed every single day, hour after hour, for two years until I truly believed what I was seeing in the mirror,” he says. And it shows. This is not about imitation. Jaafar did not just try to ape Jackson. He approached the role as a process of understanding the phenomenon from the inside out.

Because stepping into Jackson’s world is not just about getting the moves right. It also means understanding the scale of his fame, something very few people have experienced up close. Even in recreated settings, that energy can feel overwhelming. “The roar of the fans and the depth of their love for him was something I had never felt before. It was so intense it was almost scary,” he recalls.

Jackson was known for his connection with his audience, and glimpses of the chokehold that he had on the youth have also been shown in the now-viral trailer of the film. Jackson did not have just fans and admirers; what he shared with his audience was way deeper and more emotional.

For Fuqua, that larger-than-life energy is only one part of the story. What stood out most to him was Jackson’s constant need to grow and change. “Watching Michael as he reinvented himself and refused to ever be put in a box was a huge inspiration to my own career, as it was for so many,” he gushes. “For me, seeing what Michael achieved meant there was no ceiling.” 

And the idea and ambition of having no limits is what forms the heart of the film. Michael not only aims to show where Jackson came from, but it also celebrates how far he pushed himself creatively to achieve his dreams and to give back to his fans.

Michael definitely cannot be put into the same box as any other biopic made across the world. The film is more of an attempt to understand a once-in-a-generation artist. It is about the lesser-known story of the eighth child of an African-American working-class household, his rise in America despite belonging to the minority, his hard work, the pressure, the love from fans, the constant drive to be better, and to eventually becoming the 'King of Pop'.

Michael is slated for a global release on April 24, 2026.

Lead image: Moe's Art PR

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