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April 2, 2026, 8:04 p.m. ET
Jaafar Jackson was just 12 when Michael Jackson died in 2009, but the Hollywood newcomer can still recall the “wonderful times” he had with his superstar uncle.
In his first TV interview ahead of the release of the Antoine Fuqua biopic “Michael” on April 24, in which Jaafar plays Jackson, the 29-year-old actor on April 2 briefly reminisced about his childhood on “Today with Jenna & Sheinelle.”
“I remember … we would have family time. Michael would come over to where I was growing up at Hayvenhurst [estate] and we’d have some days where we’d all get together, play family game day,” he told Jenna Bush Hager and guest host Willie Geist.
He continued, “We’d have wonderful times at Neverland and just playing hide-and-go-seek, eating as much candy, going on rides, watching movies. It was all fun.”
Jackson died from an accidental drug overdose at 50; his personal doctor, Conrad Murray was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and served two years in jail.
Katherine Jackson ‘couldn’t tell if it was me or Michael’: Jaafar Jackson
Jaafar – the second youngest son of Jermaine Jackson, Michael’s brother and former Jackson 5 member – told the hosts that he’s received “heartwarming” support from his father and the rest of his family, including grandmother Katherine Jackson.
The 95-year-old Jackson family matriarch saw the film and “said how excellent I did and how much I embodied Michael,” Jaafar shared. He added, “There were moments she couldn’t tell if it was me or Michael. And to me, that’s all I needed to hear. It’s definitely the highest compliment that I could get.”
In a Lionsgate press release issued prior to production, Katherine Jackson put her stamp of approval on her grandson’s casting, saying in a statement that “Jaafar embodies my son.”
“Honestly, I wouldn’t have been able to pull this off if I didn’t have the support,” Jaafar said.
Paris Jackson has criticized the biopic about her dad, Michael Jackson
His cousin, Jackson’s daughter Paris Jackson, has not been as encouraging when it comes to a film she’s described as “sugar-coated.” She reportedly took to her Instagram stories in September, per The Guardian, and revealed she gave notes about what was “dishonest/didn’t sit right” with her about the first drafts of the script, then “moved on” after the team “didn’t address” her concerns.
“A big section of the film panders to a very specific section of my dad’s fandom that still lives in the fantasy, and they’re gonna be happy with it,” Paris wrote.
“Michael” is releasing against the backdrop of ongoing legal battles between Jackson’s sexual assault accusers and his estate.
Most recently, Jackson’s estate scored a win as representatives take legal action against a former Jackson family friend whom they’ve accused of extortion. The Jackson estate’s petition to compel arbitration was granted in Los Angeles County Superior Court on March 10, meaning the parties can take their legal battle against accuser Frank Cascio out of court.
Wade Robson and James Safechuck – who were featured in the 2019 HBO documentary “Leaving Neverland” and allege Michael Jackson sexually abused them for years when they were boys – are still engaged in a court battle over their longtime claims.
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline offers free, confidential, 24/7 support in English and Spanish via chat and at 800-656-4673.
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https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2026/04/02/jaafar-jackson-remembers-uncle-michael-jackson/89440607007/
KiMi Robinson
Almontather Rassoul
