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Faye Bradley

Contributing Online Editor, Style by SCMP


Sumnima Kandangwa

Freelance Editorial Assistant for Style by SCMP


Michael Jackson’s nephew Jaafar Jackson is proving to be the perfect person to play his great uncle, as images and clips of him starring in director Antoine Fuqua’s highly anticipated biopic, Michael, came out ahead of the movie’s US premiere on April 24.

The 29-year-old, whose starring role in the biopic was announced in January 2023, bears an uncanny resemblance to his late uncle – and the internet has taken note. Several comments under Jaafar’s Instagram posts comment on his likeness to the late superstar. “That’s literally Michael … He embodied what’s already in his blood. Greatness,” one user wrote.
Here’s everything you need to know about Jaafar Jackson as he makes his acting debut.
He is a member of the famous Jackson family

Jaafar is the son of Jermaine Jackson, Michael Jackson’s older brother, and Alejandra Genevieve Oaziaza. His parents were married from 1995 to 2003.
Jaafar’s father was famously part of The Jackson 5. His aunts include Janet Jackson, La Toya Jackson, Rebbie Jackson, and Joh’Vonnie Jackson, while his uncles include Tito Jackson, Marlon Jackson, Jackie Jackson and Randy Jackson.
He has been singing and dancing since he was 12

Performing is in the Jackson family genes – and Jaafar is no exception. Per Deadline, he’s been singing and dancing since he was just 12 years old, showcasing himself singing covers of songs by artists like Marvin Gaye and Sam Cooke. He released his first single “Got Me Singing” in 2019.
“I love to write music that makes you feel something, whether it makes you feel sad, happy, or just feel good, or makes you want to get up and dance. I love to tell stories through my music,” he told Design Scene in 2017.
“I’m humbled and honoured to bring my uncle Michael’s story to life. To all the fans all over the world, I’ll see you soon,” he wrote in a caption on Instagram about his debut acting role.
He has a natural flair for fashion. In his Design Scene interview, the star said he’d just begun modelling and was “really enjoying it”.
“I love fashion and always have,” he added. “It’s important to me, especially with what I’m trying to do in music.”
Who is his girlfriend?

Jaafar is in a long-term relationship with singer Maddie Simpson. The pair have reportedly been dating since 2016. The 28-year-old musician is based in Los Angeles and attended the Michael premiere in Berlin on April 10 to support her beau.
Has Paris Jackson distanced herself from the biopic?

While the biopic and Jaafar’s role in it have received the stamp of approval from his grandmother Katherine Jackson, Michael’s mother, Jaafar’s cousin and the King of Pop’s only daughter Paris Jackson’s public statement shows a different stance.
She posted a series of videos on Instagram in September last year, sharing that she “read one of the first drafts of the script and gave my notes about what was dishonest [and] didn’t sit right with me, and when they didn’t address it I moved on with my life. Not my monkeys, not my circus. God bless and godspeed”.
While Paris may not be a fan of Jaafar’s latest project, the latter has spoken warmly of his model cousin in the past. “I’m very proud of my cousin Paris,” he told Design Scene.


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Meet Jaafar Jackson, who plays his uncle Michael Jackson in the late star’s biopic

Jaafar Jackson as his uncle Michael Jackson in the biopic Michael, and a photo of the late superstar himself. Photos: Lionsgate, @afrocentricfilmscollaborative/Instagram

Jaafar Jackson at the AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Eddie Murphy ceremony at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, on April 18. Photo: EPA

Michael’s cast and family members – including Jaafar Jackson (second from right) – on the red carpet for the world premiere of Michael in Berlin, on April 10. Photo: AFP

Jaafar Jackson has been singing and dancing since childhood. Photo: @interviewmag/Instagram

Jaafar Jackson and Maddie Simpson at the premiere of Michael in Berlin, on April 10. Photo: EPA

Paris Jackson’s input is apparently not part of the Michael biopic. Photo: @parisjackson/Instagram 

Meet Ken Kirby, who plays Dr John Shen in HBO Max medical drama The Pitt

Ken Kirby plays Dr John Shen in The Pitt. Photos: @mrkenkirby/Instagram

Ken Kirby shared this childhood photo of himself on Instagram. Photo: @mrkenkirby/Instagram

Ken Kirby and partner Gabriella Then at the season two premiere of The Pitt, in January. Photo: @mrkenkirby/Instagram

Ken Kirby and Natalie Alyn Lind in a scene from The Gifted. Photo: IMDB

Meet Alexa Demie, who plays Maddy Perez in HBO Max’s Euphoria

Alexa Demie as Maddy in Euphoria. Photo: @euphoria/Instagram

Alexa Demie attends HBO’s Euphoria season three premiere at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California, on April 7. Photo: AFP

Alexa Demie has fashion roots. Photo: @alexademie/Instagram

Alexa Demie used to travel to Asia for trade shows. Photo: @alexademie/Instagram

Alexa Demie is into music too. Photo: @alexademie/Instagram

Alexa Demie is a woman of many hats. Photo: @alexademie/Instagram

Alexa Demie is a crowd favourite in Euphoria. Photo: @euphoria/Instagram

Musician Christian Berishaj, aka JMSN, in June 2025. Photo: @jmsn/Instagram

Meet queer comedian Robby Hoffman, who plays Randi on Hacks

Robby Hoffman in 2024. The comedian was nominated for an Emmy for her role on Hacks last year. Photo: @robbyhoffman/Instagram

A scene from the first episode of Hack’s fifth season. Photo: @hacks/Instagram

Robby Hoffman attends the Los Angeles premiere of Hack’s fifth and final season in Los Angeles. Photo: AFP

Robby Hoffman at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in March. Photo: @robbyhoffman/Instagram

Robby Hoffman on Jimmy Kimmel Live! last December. Photo: @robbyhoffman/Instagram

Robby Hoffman (right) celebrating her first wedding anniversary with her wife, Gabby Windey, in January. Photo: @robbyhoffman/Instagram

Meet Martha Kelly, who plays Laurie on Euphoria – which earned her an Emmy nomination

Martha Kelly reprises her role as Laurie in Euphoria, which earned her an Emmy nomination in 2022. Photos: Reuters/@euphoria/Instagram

Martha Kelly at the Euphoria season three premiere on April 7. Photo: Getty Images via AFP

Martha Kelly in a scene from Baskets. Photo: Handout 

Meet Eddie Murphy’s daughter Bella Murphy, who’s in Netflix’s Roommates

Bella Murphy and Eddie Murphy at Netflix’s Roommates premiere. Photo by AFP

Chris Rock, Zahra Rock, Bella Murphy and Eddie Murphy at the premiere of Roommates on April 13. Photo: Getty Images/AFP

Paige Butcher – Eddie Murphy’s wife – Bella Murphy and Eddie Murphy at the Roommates premiere. Photo: AFP

Bella Murphy took acting classes before her film debut. Photo: AFP

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Jaafar is the son of Michael Jackson’s brother Jermaine and stars in the highly anticipated film, Michael, which just premiered in the US


Jaafar is the son of Michael Jackson’s brother Jermaine and stars in the highly anticipated film, Michael, which just premiered in the US.


Meet Jaafar Jackson, who plays his uncle Michael Jackson in the late star’s biopic

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Jaafar is the son of Michael Jackson’s brother Jermaine and stars in the highly anticipated film, Michael, which just premiered in the US

Jaafar is the son of Michael Jackson’s brother Jermaine and stars in the highly anticipated film, Michael, which just premiered in the US