Copyright Us Weekly
Jaafar Jackson was practically born to play the late “King of Pop” Michael Jackson in the 2026 biopic Michael. As the son of Michael’s older brother Jermaine Jackson and his ex-wife Alejandra Genevieve Oaziaza, Jaafar chose at an early age to follow in his famous family’s legendary footsteps. After releasing his debut single, “Got Me Singing,” in 2019, Jaafar starred in the short-lived reality series The Jacksons: Next Generation before he was cast as his late uncle in Training Day director Antoine Fuqua’s biopic Michael in January 2023. “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,” Jaafar announced via Instagram at the time. Keep scrolling for more information about Jaafar and the upcoming Michael movie. 1. Jaafar Jackson Is Part of One of Music’s Most Famous Families Jaafar Jackson was born in January 1996. His parents, Jermaine Jackson and Alejandra Genevieve Oaziaza, married in 1995 and were together until 2003. (Jermaine is a father to seven children: Jermaine II, Autumn and Jaimy from his first marriage to Hazel Gordy, Jeremy and Jourdynn from his relationship with Margaret Maldonado, and his two youngest sons, Jaafar and Jermajesty, with Oaziaza.) Jaafar’s father, Jermaine, and his uncles — Jackie, Marlon, Tito, Michael and Randy Jackson — were all members of the classic R&B group The Jackson 5, who sold more than 150 million records worldwide. His aunts, Janet, La Toya and Rebbie Jackson are also musicians. “When I first saw my father and uncles perform, it was the 30th anniversary of the Jacksons. They performed in New York,” he revealed in 2024. “That was the only time I got to see Uncle Michael perform. Just seeing the fans’ reactions and the energy, that really inspired me to be in the music.” 2. Jaafar Jackson Was Close With His Uncle Michael Jackson Long before he was cast as his uncle Michael, Jaafar looked back on their close bond. “I recall being at [Michael’s Santa Barbara mansion] Neverland, playing hide and seek, going on rides, watching movies and just having a great time,” he remembered in 2020. He recalled having so many “great times” with his uncle in a 2025 interview on Get Balanced, including “the whole family” getting together at Neverland Ranch during the holidays. Jaafar hadn’t yet discovered his own passion for his music when his uncle Michael died at age 50 in June 2009. “I would have asked him many questions about the career I have chosen for myself,” he admitted in 2020. Reflecting on the singer’s shocking death, Jaafar told Get Balanced: “It was very tough. I can’t even put my mind back to how it felt that day.” 3. Jaafar Jackson Had Early Brushes With Stardom Jaafar’s earliest passion was playing golf as a child, but he eventually chose to follow his famous family into the entertainment industry. He starred with his cousins Taj, Taryll and TJ in the short-lived Lifetime docuseries The Jacksons: Next Generation, which showcased their family’s efforts to launch the careers of a new generation of Jacksons. Jaafar released his debut single, “Got Me Singing,” in 2019 and later featured alongside Stevie Wonder on his uncle Tito’s 2021 track, “Love One Another.” “I do music because I genuinely enjoy it,” he told Dawn in February 2020. 4. Jaafar Jackson Is in a Relationship With Maddie Simpson Jaafar and his longtime girlfriend, Maddie Simpson, went public at the Q85: A Musical Celebration For Quincy Jones event in 2018 and have since shared adorable updates on their relationship via social media. “Happy 25th Birthday to my very best friend,” she wrote to the actor in 2021. “I am so proud of you, and so lucky to be loved by you. I love you I love you I love you.” Simpson was her boyfriend’s biggest cheerleader when he was cast as his iconic uncle in the biopic Michael. “Over the past year and a half I have watched Jaafar grow in ways I didn’t know were possible,” she wrote via Instagram in January 2023. “The dedication, focus, love and care he has put into this role already is truly unparalleled. Not only has he proven that he is more than capable of taking on this responsibility to others, he has most importantly proven it to himself.” Simpson suggested Michael was “ever-present” and “undoubtedly guiding Jaafar” through his Hollywood breakthrough. “The admiration and respect I have for Jaafar is genuinely impossible to put into words. Saying I am proud of him falls short of all of the emotions I feel,” she added. “I love him so dearly and I can’t wait for the world to see how exceptional he is. Back to our little bubble we go.” 5. Jaafar Jackson Was Cast as His Uncle Michael Jackson After a 2-Year Open Call Bohemian Rhapsody producer Graham King secured the rights to make an authorized biopic of Michael Jackson in November 2019. Training Day director Antoine Fuqua and Gladiator screenwriter John Logan soon came aboard, as an open casting call began for the lead role. It took nearly two years before the producers settled on Michael’s own nephew Jaafar to play the “King of Pop” on the big screen. “Jaafar embodies my son,” family matriarch Katherine Jackson said in January 2023. “It’s so wonderful to see him carry on the Jackson legacy of entertainers and performers.” Producer King added: “I met Jaafar over two years ago and was blown away by the way he organically personifies the spirit and personality of Michael. It was something so powerful that even after conducting a worldwide search, it was clear that he is the only person to take on this role. I am beyond thrilled that he has come on board to portray his uncle and cannot wait for the world to see him on the big screen as Michael Jackson.” While the movie was produced in collaboration with Michael’s estate, King has described the project as an “unbiased” depiction of the singer’s life. The producer confirmed that Michael will address child sex abuse claims made against the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee. (Jackson settled a sex abuse lawsuit with Jordan Chandler’s parents with a reported multi-million dollar payout in 1994. The “Thriller” artist was tried for multiple counts of child molestation and other related offenses in 2003 but acquitted on all charges. Michael always denied any wrongdoing in both cases.) “Michael’s life was complicated,” King told Variety in 2024. “As a filmmaker, I look to humanize but not sanitize 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.” A spokesperson for the film told Variety in March 2024 that Michael’s estate was putting its “trust in Graham King [and] stepping out of the creative process.” Jaafar underwent extensive preparation for the role, including altering the pitch of his voice to correctly match his late uncle. “My voice sits lower than my uncle Michael’s. He has a high pitch,” he explained in 2024. “We all [in the family] have a similar tone in our voice. It’s just strong genes, I’d say. I definitely got inspired by his music.” Michael — which will also star Colman Domingo and Nia Long as Katherine and Joe Jackson, Miles Teller as lawyer John Branca and Kat Graham as Diana Ross — hits theaters on April 24, 2026.
