Kat Graham has revealed that her scenes in the new Michael Jackson biopic, Michael, have been cut due to unspecified legal considerations. The film, directed by Antoine Fuqua, has faced backlash for omitting references to the child abuse allegations that plagued the late King of Pop's career.
Graham's Role Removed
Graham, 36, portrayed Diana Ross, a close friend of Jackson. In a statement shared on Instagram ahead of the film's April 18 release, she explained that certain legal issues affected several scenes, including hers. 'Unfortunately, those moments are no longer part of the final cut, though the team worked hard to preserve as much of the story as possible,' she wrote. Jackson and Ross starred together in the 1978 film The Wiz, and Ross inducted The Jackson 5 into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1997. Their bond was so strong that Ross was named a backup guardian for Jackson's three children.
Omission of Abuse Allegations
Critics have slammed the biopic for its sanitized portrayal of Jackson's life. According to Variety, the original 127-minute film included a scene where investigators arrive at Neverland Ranch, but the entire child abuse plot was removed after producers discovered a clause in a settlement with accuser Jordan Chandler that barred his depiction in any film. This forced a new ending, delaying the release by nearly a year.
Reactions and Reviews
BBC News called the film 'a bland and barely competent daytime TV movie,' while the Daily Mail's Brian Viner described it as 'simplistic, unchallenging and riddled with egregious omissions.' Several key figures, including Jackson's sister Janet, declined to participate. LaToya Jackson confirmed Janet's refusal, saying, 'She was asked and she kindly declined, so you have to respect her wishes.' Jackson's daughter Paris also criticized the film, calling it 'dishonest' and 'full of lies,' stating it panders to fans living in a fantasy.
