Meet Jaafar Jackson, Michael Jackson’s nephew playing him in the biopic

The 29-year-old will make his acting debut portraying the high and lows of his superstar uncle

By Tyler Dane Wingco

Published: Nov 7, 2025

jaafar jackson michael jackson movie — Jaafar and Michael Jackson. Image: IMDb; Getty

THE FIRST LOOK at the controversial Michael biopic is here, and we don’t have to worry about inaccuracy in the looks department. Yes, the titular role goes to Jaafar Jackson, who is the late singer’s real-life nephew via his older brother Jermaine. The film is the 29-year-old’s acting debut; he underwent a two-year casting process for the role. But he received glowing praise from his grandmother, Katherine, who said he “embodies” her son.

Read on for everything to know about the King of Pop’s nephew, and who and what to expect in the film.

Jaafar Jackson is the nephew of Michael Jackson. Born on July 25, 1996, in Los Angeles, Jaafar is the son of Jermaine Jackson and Alejandra Genevieve Oaziaza, his second wife. As children, Jermaine and his younger brother Michael were part of the Jackson 5 pop band.

Set to play his uncle in the upcoming Michael biopic, the 29-year-old’s career has so far been in music, with him covering songs by Sam Cooke and Marvin Gaye. His debut single, “Got Me Singing”, was released in 2019. Since the age of 12, Jaafar has been an avid dancer, too.

In an interview early in the casting process, Jaafar has said that he is deeply inspired by his musical family, as well as artists Bruno Mars, Frank Sinatra and Stevie Wonder. If that’s any sign of where he’s heading, he’ll be following very closely in his uncle’s moon walk.

How was Jaafar Jackson cast in the Michael Jackson biopic?

It certainly does help to be in the family, but Jaafar still went through a two-year casting process to secure the role. When Bohemian Rhapsody producer Graham King acquired the rights (discography too) in 2019 to create a film based on the late singer’s “complex life”, Jaafar’s casting was announced in January 2023. Katherine Jackson, Jaafar’s grandmother and Michael’s mother, approved of the casting, telling Variety, “Jaafar embodies my son. It’s so wonderful to see him carry on the Jackson legacy of entertainers and performers.”

Who is playing Michael Jackson in the movie?

Jaafar Jackson, Michael’s real-life nephew. News of the casting was announced in 2023 by glowing approval from his grandmother, Katherine, who said he “embodies” her son. Directed by Antoine Fuqua and produced by Graham King (Bohemian Rhapsody), the scope of the film will cover the late singer in all his “complexity”, as the poster suggests, from childhood to adulthood. King also acquired the rights to use Jackson’s discography in the film, including “Billie Jean”, “Thriller”, “Rock With You”, “Beat It”, and more.

Who is in the Michael Jackson movie?

Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson
Juliano Krue Valdi as young Michael Jackson
Nathaniel Logan McIntyre as another young Michael Jackson
Miles Teller as John Branca, Michael’s long-time lawyer, business advisor, and co-executor of his estate
Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson, Michael’s father
Nia Long as Katherine Jackson, Michael’s mother
Joe Gillette as Steve Rubell, co-owner of New York nightclub Studio 54
Kat Graham as Diana Ross
Laura Harrier as Suzanne de Passe
Larenz Tate as Berry Gordy
Derek Luke as Johnnie Cochran
Jessica Sula as La Toya Jackson
Kendrick Sampson as Quincy Jones
Joseph David-Jones as Jackie Jackson
Keilyn Durrel Jones as Bill Bray
Allan Wayne Anderson as Andy Warhol
Ryan Milora as Mick Jagger
Rhyan Hill as Tito Jackson
Jamal Henderson as Jermaine Jackson

And keep your eyes peeled for real-life Jacksons who might make cameos.

What is the Michael Jackson movie about?

Director Antoine Fuqua and producer Graham King hope to capture the late singer’s life in all its “complexity”, spanning childhood in the Jackson 5 to super stardom in adulthood as the King of Pop.

The filmmakers won’t be shying away from Jackson’s darker moments, his high profile in his later career tarnished by a myriad of problematic scandals. Appearing on Good Morning America in August 2023, Fuqua broke down the difficulties in portraying such a polarising figure: “He was a great artist. He was human. We’re gonna show the good, bad, and the ugly. We’re just going to tell Michael based on the facts that I have . . . It’s for the audience to make a decision on how they feel about Michael.”

King later told The Guardian: “As a film-maker, I look to humanise but not sanitise and present the most compelling, unbiased story I can capture in a single feature film and let the audience decide how they feel after watching it. Michael clearly remains an impactful, culturally relevant artist with a life and legacy worth exploring.”