The upcoming biopic on legendary pop icon Michael Jackson, titled Michael, is scheduled to hit theatres on April 24, 2026. Ahead of its worldwide theatrical release, key members of his family attended the film’s premiere in Los Angeles. Backed by the Jackson estate, the film has generated strong anticipation, and now Taj Jackson, the pop legend’s nephew, can’t wait for the wider public to watch it.
Taj Jackson is relieved that the biopic is taking control away from the media
Ahead of the release of Michael, the biopic on Michael Jackson, his nephew Taj Jackson has strongly pushed back against media criticism surrounding the film. He stated that he is glad the media doesn’t get to control the narrative of his life and takes comfort in the fact that the public will decide how they perceive Jackson after watching the film.
“Sorry, media, you don’t get to control the narrative anymore of who Michael Jackson truly was. The public gets to watch this movie… they will decide for themselves,” he wrote on X.
Furthermore, taking aim at critics, he said, “Can’t wait until some critics have to eat crow,” before adding that he was being “petty” about it, underlining how personal the issue is for him.
“And yes, I will be that petty,” he wrote in conclusion.
The development comes after the biopic received a mixed-to-negative critical response, with many accusing the film of being “sanitized” or “whitewashed,” and of avoiding major controversies from later in his life.
He has long been one of Michael Jackson’s most vocal defenders, especially against allegations and critical media narratives. Notably, Taj’s father, Tito Jackson, passed away before he had the chance to watch the film, but other surviving members of The Jackson 5 have reportedly seen it and were complimentary about how it turned out.
Michael Jackson’s nephew Jaafar Jackson plays the lead in the musical drama, which follows the pop icon’s life from his childhood in the Jackson 5 to his 1980s solo stardom, culminating around the 1988 Bad tour. The film has been directed by Antoine Fuqua and aims to present an in-depth look at Jackson’s rise to global superstardom, blending personal struggles with his unprecedented musical success.
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