Colman Domingo Defends Michael Jackson Biopic Amid Whitewashing Controversy
Colman Domingo, the actor starring in the new and widely criticised Michael Jackson biopic, has publicly defended the film against accusations that it whitewashes the abuse allegations surrounding the King of Pop. Domingo portrays Jackson family patriarch Joe in the movie, titled Michael, which is set for release this weekend after years of behind-the-scenes turmoil.
Film's Timeline and Content Focus
During an appearance on the US talkshow Today, Domingo addressed concerns that the film glosses over the child abuse claims against Michael Jackson. He emphasised that the biopic covers the period from the 1960s to 1988, deliberately excluding the first major allegations that emerged in 1993 and later in 2005. The actor stated, "The film takes place from the '60s to 1988, so it does not go into the first allegations in, what, 2005? Basically, we centre it on the makings of Michael. It's an intimate portrait of who Michael is."
Domingo, aged 56, added that the story is told "through his eyes," focusing on Jackson's upbringing and artistic development. He hinted at the possibility of a sequel that might address later events, saying, "There's the possibility of there being a part two that may deal with other things that may happen afterwards. This is about the making of Michael, how he was raised, and how he was trying to find his voice as an artist."
Behind-the-Scenes Changes and Legal Issues
The production of Michael has been marked by significant last-minute alterations. Initially, the film was planned to include scenes addressing the 1993 abuse allegations, where 13-year-old Jordan Chandler's family spoke out. However, these scenes were cut and the ending was hastily reshot after lawyers determined that highlighting the claims would violate the settlement agreement from that case, which was settled out of court for an undisclosed sum now believed to be as high as $30 million.
This legal constraint has contributed to the film's controversial reception, with critics accusing it of whitewashing Jackson's legacy by omitting these allegations.
Limited Promotion and Family Backlash
The rollout of Michael has been unusually low-key, with Domingo completing few promotional engagements. He made little mention of the film when hosting SNL last week, though he did wear a vintage t-shirt from Jackson's Bad tour. This lack of promotion may be strategic, given the backlash from Jackson's family.
Last year, Domingo claimed that Michael Jackson's two eldest children, Paris and Prince, were "very much in support of our film." However, Paris Jackson quickly refuted this on social media, writing, "Don’t be telling people I was 'helpful' on the set of a movie I had zero per cent involvement in lol that is so weird. I read one of the first drafts of the script and gave my notes about what was dishonest / didn’t sit right with me, and when they didn’t address it, I moved on with my life."
In follow-up posts, the 28-year-old explained that she "butted out" when her notes were ignored, criticising the film's narrative as controlled and inaccurate. She added, "The narrative is being controlled and there’s a lot of inaccuracy and there’s a lot of just full-blown lies. At the end of the day, that doesn’t really fly with me. Go enjoy it. Do whatever. Leave me out of it."
As Michael prepares for its cinematic release, the debate over its portrayal of Jackson's life continues, with Domingo's defence highlighting the film's narrow focus on his early career and artistic journey, while critics and family members question its omission of later controversies.
