Entertainment

Here's why Marlon Jackson says Jaafar was meant to play Michael Jackson

The King of Pop's brother got emotional over nephew’s portrayal of Michael Jackson

Published April 15, 2026
Here's why Marlon Jackson says Jaafar was meant to play Michael Jackson

Jaafar Jackson has won uncle Marlon Jackson’s approval as he gushed over Jaafar's 'unbelievable' transformation into Michael Jackson.

Marlon, who is one of the brothers of the King of Pop, talked about Jaafar portraying his uncle in the upcoming biopic 'Michael.'

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He told Entertainment Tonight at the Berlin premiere of the film that Michael's role was meant to be for Jaafar.

"First of all, let me say one thing. I say this every time I speak of this movie: Jaafar is unbelievable," Marlon praised.

When asked if he see any other family member other than Jaafar to play this role, Marlon replied, "As a matter of fact, I think he's the only one that could have done this. I'm watching the movie and sometimes I'm thinking I'm watching Michael up there, and I forget 'Oh, it's Jaafar.' "

He went on to say, "And I've been on the side of Michael for umpteen years, so I know - Jaafar is damn good."

"This is special. It's a special moment. Michael [was] the biggest entertainment in the world, and I'm just - the work that we put in with Gary, Indiana, with my mother and my father rehearsing us over and over, the Jackson 5 being the foundation for doing what they did, and on to Epic Records — Sony now — and then Michael did his solo stuff and took it to another level. And I gotta say, he's down smiling," he added.

'Michael' is all set to hit theaters on April 24.

Maliha Javed
Maliha Javed is an entertainment journalist with one year of experience, covering celebrity controversies, viral moments, and trending stories. She navigates the fast-paced digital landscape, breaking down complex narratives into clear, engaging reports that keep readers informed and connected to the latest entertainment buzz.
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