Jaafar Jackson Speaks On Becoming His Uncle In the Biopic ‘Michael’

Weeks ahead of the release of the Michael Jackson biopic, his nephew, Jaafar Jackson, spoke to US television TODAY on how he transformed into the King of Pop for the film ‘Michael’.

The 29-year-old, for whom this was his first acting gig, noted that while his auditioning for the role was not traditional, he had a lot to prove to the filmmakers, himself, and his family that he could do it.

He said it was about balancing his acting and dancing so the performances don’t overpower his acting.
“There were so many moments that I wanted to nail and make sure that I had the true essence and the feeling. I had to make sure I feel it to believe in it first.”

He also worked with an acting coach, Angela Gibbs, to break down scenes from movies with actors he admired, like Daniel Day-Lewis and Joaquin Phoenix, who transformed into their characters and shared their process: “to apply certain things to his own that worked for him.”

“It was a two-year process. It was something new each month. So, I set goals for myself. His mannerisms, the vocals, his essence, and how he goes about conversationally.

“I wanted to embody it completely and do it in a way that feels natural, that feels like I am a seasoned actor even though it is my first time. I wanted to approach it that way”.

The reaction of his family, in particular his grandmother and the Jackson family’s matron, Catherine, who admitted there were times when she couldn’t tell whether it was Michael or Jaafar onscreen, was the highlight for him.

“That, for me, was the highest compliment that I could get. She said I did well in the way I embodied Michael.

‘Michael’ will release in cinemas globally on April 24.