Jaafar Jackson’sresemblance to the King of Pop is uncanny. And in the spring of 2025, the whole world will witness the late Michael Jackson’s nephew, Jaafar, portraying the GRAMMY award-winning artist in the biopic,Michael. And photographer Kevin Mazur has captured an iconic, first-look image of Jermaine Jackson’s son. Check out Jaafar channeling his inner and outer Michael Jackson from theMan in the Mirrortour below:
Mazur said (via a press release):
“When I arrived for my first day on the set of this movie, I was so excited – it was like the first time I went on tour to shoot Michael Jackson. When I walked onto the set, I felt like I’d gone back in time and I was walking into the stadium to shoot the tour. Seeing Jaafar perform, I thought, ‘Wow, it is Michael.’ The way he looks and acts, his mannerisms, everything – he’s Michael Jackson. For anyone who didn’t have the chance to see Michael perform live during his lifetime – this is how it was.”
Producer Graham King added:
With Jaafar, every look, every note, every dance move is Michael. He embodies Michael in a way that no other actor could.
Jaafar Moon Walks into His Uncle’s Shoes
The Equalizerfilm franchise’s Antoine Fuqua directs the biopicMichael, and the project recently added Colman Domingo to thecast as the King of Pop’s father, Joe Jackson. Miles Teller will portrayMichael Jackson’sattorney, John Branca, and Nia Long stars as the singing sensation’s mother, Katherine. But of all the talent attached to the project, Fuqua insists that the biopic’s star, Jaafar Jackson, brings more than just that uncanny resemblance to his uncle to the movie. Fuqua said in the same press release:
“We have assembled an incredible team of artists for this project – hair & makeup, costumes, cinematography, choreography, lighting, everything – and some who knew and worked with Michael are reuniting for this film. But most importantly, it’s Jaafar who embodies Michael. It goes beyond the physical resemblance. It’s Michael’s spirit that comes through in a magical way. You have to experience it to believe it.”
Jaafar Jackson Embodies Michael Jackson in BTS Images From Upcoming Biopic
The upcoming Michael Jackson biopic from The Equalizer 3’s Antoine Fuqua will be Jaafar Jackson’s first big film role.
Check out the synopsis forMichaelbelow:
“MICHAEL will bring audiences a riveting and honest portrayal of the brilliant yet complicated man who became the King of Pop. The film presents his triumphs and tragedies on an epic, cinematic scale — from his human side and personal struggles to his undeniable creative genius, exemplified by his most iconic performances. As never before, audiences will experience an inside look into one of the most influential, trailblazing artists the world has ever known.”
Remember whenMichael Jackson wanted to play Professor X?Probably not, but diehard fans undoubtedly know the King of Pop became the very first artist to win 8 GRAMMYs in a single night. Only Carlos Santana has been able to tie the effort, which happened back in 2000. Jackson accomplished the feat at the 26th GRAMMY Awards in 1984 off the strength of what has become the best-selling album of all time,Thriller(1982). Over 70 million copies of Jackson’s sixth studio album have been sold worldwide.
Michaelopens in theaters on July 16, 2025.
