Nia Long Praises Jaafar Jackson For ‘Michael’ Success: “It Was A Joy Watching You Transform Into Your Uncle Right Before Our Eyes”

Jaafar Jackson and Nia Long present the first award at the 2026 BET Awards and received a resounding round of applause.

The Michael stars acknowledged the film’s success, sharing a few words with everyone who made it happen.

“We’re so grateful for the love you all showed to our movie,” Jackson said on stage at the Peacock Theater. “You guys have the theaters packed. We’re truly so humbled. Your support means the world to the Jackson family.”

Long was next and said, “Portraying Katherine Jackson reminded me that grace is quiet and still, and tonight we honor that. Jaafar, it was an honor watching you transform into your uncle right before our eyes.”

Jackson and Long presented the Best Male R&B / Pop Artist award at the 2026 BET Awards, which went to Leon Thomas.

Michael is a 2026 biopic directed by Antoine Fuqua, in which Jackson portrays his uncle, Michael Jackson. The film has been a box office hit, becoming the highest-grossing biopic of all time. Michael made history, accumulating $977.4M and surpassing Universal’s Oppenheimer, which was at $975.8M. Michael pulled off its latest record while being on a 46-day theatrical window to PVOD.

The biopic film also stars Colman Domingo (Joseph Jackson), Miles Teller (John Branca), KeiLyn Durrel Jones (Bill Bray), Lauren Harrier (Suzanne de Passe), Joseph David-Jones (Jackie Jackson), Rhyan Hill (Tito Jackson), Jamal R. Henderson (Jermaine Jackson), Tre Horton (Marlon Jackson), Jessica Sula (LaToya Jackson), Mike Myers (Walter Yetnikoff), Kendrick Sampson (Quincy Jones), among many others.

Watch Jaafar Jackson and Nia Long at the 2026 BET Awards in the video below.