Jaafar Jackson discussed memories and the successes of the film, “Michael” during a
recent appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”
Jackson portrayed his uncle Michael Jackson in the record-breaking film, which became
the highest-grossing biopic of all time, surpassing records of films including “Bohemian
Rhapsody” and “Oppenheimer.”
Jackson appeared on Monday evening alongside fellow “Michael” co-star Colman
Domingo, who portrayed Joseph Jackson.
Domingo appeared on the show as a guest host while Kimmel is on a summer hiatus.
Jackson and Domingo talked about the film’s successes, with Domingo aIectionately
referring to Jackson as his “son” and “movie son” throughout the show.
Domingo recalled meeting Jackson after a makeup and hair test and describing Jackson as
“immediately Michael:”
“I first met you when I was coming out of my makeup and hair test, and you were fully
performing. You were just immediately Michael, to me.”
Jackson recalled a similar memory of the moment, describing Domingo as “immediately
Joseph.”
The two also mentioned the film’s success of achieving over $1 billion at the box office.
Jackson described how he felt upon seeing the film as a finished product:
“I was so nervous going into that theatre, but good nerves. I wasn’t really watching the
movie, I was watching all the people there, observing the seats to see each moment, if it
landed, and everything did. Everything really, really did and to me, that was-it was so
surreal just to be in that room.”
Jackson shared how he would sneak into theatres to watch the film in different formats:
“I choose different seats. But I did sneak into a couple theatres. I saw it in IMAX, I saw it in
4DX which was my first time seeing a film in 4DX.”
Jackson also recalled the most meaningful reaction among his family members, after they
saw the film:
“That’s tough. I always have to say my grandmother. That’s the most meaningful person I can have a reaction from and to get the love I got from her after she saw it, just to hear her words saying how proud she was, it’s-still I can get emotional just talking about it, hearing about it.”
Jackson, who made his film debut portraying his uncle, shared his interests in continuing to
pursue acting:
“That’s really where my mind and heart is, is to continue acting, to portray characters that
you’ll never expect me. That’s something I want to do completely.”
“Michael” is available to watch now on digital and 4K formats.
Written by Caroline Miller for MJVibe
