LaToya Jackson Explains Janet Jackson's Absence from Michael Biopic Premiere
LaToya Jackson has publicly addressed the notable absence of her sister Janet Jackson from the premiere of the new Michael Jackson biopic, revealing that Janet politely declined to participate in the film. The premiere, held on Monday night at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, also saw Michael's daughter Paris Jackson missing from the event, highlighting family divisions over the controversial project.
Janet Jackson's Polite Refusal and Family Dynamics
Speaking to Variety on the red carpet, LaToya Jackson, 69, expressed her wishes for broader family involvement while respecting Janet's decision. "I wish everybody was in the movie," LaToya stated. "She was asked and she kindly declined so you have to respect her wishes." This revelation comes as the biopic, titled Michael and directed by Antoine Fuqua, faces scrutiny for its selective portrayal of the late superstar's life.
The film, approved and financed by Michael Jackson's estate, covers his rise from childhood fame to his peak in 1988 but has sparked backlash for omitting child abuse allegations that emerged before his death in 2009. Instead, the production chose to completely exclude these claims, a decision that has drawn criticism from some family members and the public.
Cast Details and Family Involvement
In the biopic, Michael Jackson is portrayed by his nephew Jaafar Jackson, while other key family roles include:
- Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson
- Nia Long as Katherine Jackson
- Jessica Sula as LaToya Jackson
- Juliano Valdi as a younger Michael Jackson
LaToya praised Jaafar's performance enthusiastically, noting, "Oh my gosh, I have to tell you that Jaafar was absolutely fabulous. I'm sure you've seen the movie and you know how wonderful he is, how we all forget and think that we're watching Mike. It's like, 'Oh, I forgot this is Jaafar.'"
Director's Perspective and Family Support
Director Antoine Fuqua emphasized the importance of family involvement in the film, telling Variety, "You're telling somebody's life, you want to make sure that they're happy." Regarding Janet Jackson's absence, he added, "I have so much respect and love for Janet, but you know it's OK. She's supportive of Jaafar and that's what matters."
However, Janet is not the only family member distancing themselves from the biopic. While Michael's son Prince served as an executive producer, his other children Bigi and Paris Jackson were not involved. Paris, in particular, has been vocal in her criticism, labeling the film as inaccurate and questioning the role of estate executor John Branca as an executive producer.
Paris Jackson's Public Criticism and Legal Battles
Amid her ongoing legal battle with her late father's estate, Paris Jackson has publicly condemned the biopic. In September, she stated, "A big section of the film panders to a very specific section of my dad's fandom that still lives in the fantasy, and they're gonna be happy with it. 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."
She also refuted claims by actor Colman Domingo that she had any involvement in the film, further highlighting the tensions within the Jackson family over this portrayal of Michael's legacy.
Neither Paris nor Janet Jackson responded to requests for comment from media outlets, underscoring the private nature of their stance on the biopic. As the film continues to generate discussion, the family's divided reactions reflect broader debates about accuracy, representation, and control in biographical storytelling.
