Controversy follows release of Michael Jackson biopic ‘Michael’

Mixed reactions have trailed the release of the new biopic Michael, with critics accusing filmmakers of sidestepping the controversies that marked the later years of Michael Jackson’s life.

Widely regarded as the “King of Pop,” Jackson rose to global stardom over a career spanning more than four decades, becoming one of the most influential and commercially successful artistes in music history, reports Face2Face Africa.

His chart-topping albums, including Thriller, Bad, and Dangerous, remain widely celebrated and continue to resonate with audiences worldwide.

Despite his success, his career was also marred by controversy.

In the final decades of his life, Jackson faced multiple allegations of child sexual abuse—claims he consistently denied, along with his estate.

However, the new film has drawn criticism for omitting these issues entirely. Instead, Michael concludes in 1988, before the allegations surfaced, prompting debate online about whether the production deliberately glosses over a significant part of his life.

The film stars Jaafar Jackson as the late icon and traces his journey from childhood in Gary through his rise to fame in the 1980s as he transitioned into a solo career.

Colman Domingo portrays his father, while Nia Long plays his mother, Katherine Jackson.

During an appearance on the Today show, Domingo and Long addressed questions about the film’s timeline.
Host Craig Melvin asked why the story ends before the abuse allegations.

Domingo explained that the film focused on Jackson’s formative years, from the 1960s through 1988, and was intended as an intimate portrayal of his early life and artistic development.

Long added that the story was told from Jackson’s perspective.
Domingo also hinted at the possibility of a sequel that could explore later events in the singer’s life, saying the current film is centered on how Jackson was raised and how he found his voice as a solo artiste.

Reports indicate the film initially included scenes depicting a 1993 police raid on Jackson’s Neverland Ranch amid investigations involving a 13-year-old accuser.

Director Antoine Fuqua revealed in an interview with The New Yorker that those scenes were later removed, leading to reshoots in 2025 due to legal considerations tied to a settlement agreement.

The film premiered on April 24 and received financial backing from Jackson’s estate. His son, Prince Jackson, served as an executive producer, while his siblings Bigi Jackson and Paris Jackson were not involved.

Paris has publicly criticised the production, alleging it contains inaccuracies and misleading elements, according to Variety.

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