'Michael' drama: Which Jacksons said 'no thanks' and why the film cut the sexual abuse claims
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Michael Jackson’s famous clan stepped out to celebrate the premiere of the new “Michael” biopic, but some of the Jacksons snubbed the event and have opposed the film.On Monday at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, several members of the Jackson family gushed about the Antoine Fuqua-helmed film, which depicts the origin story of the King of Pop and follows the hitmaker from childhood through his upward trajectory to superstar status in the 1980s.Michael Jackson’s nephew Jaafar Jackson, son of Jermaine Jackson, starred in the title role, and his aunts and uncles dropped accolades for his performance in red carpet interviews.
Marlon Jackson said, “Watching the movie, sometimes we think we’re watching Michael up there, that’s how good he is.”La Toya Jackson called his performance “absolutely excellent” and echoed Marlon, saying that she forgot she was watching Jaafar: “I thought I was watching my brother.”But not all of the Jacksons were up for celebrating the film.Most notably absent were the “Beat It” singer’s pop star sister, Janet Jackson, and his daughter, Paris Jackson.
The eldest of the siblings, Rebbie Jackson, also skipped the event.And although the film includes portrayals of many of the Jackson siblings, some also asked to be left out of the biopic, including Janet.Jaafar Jackson, nephew of the biopic’s subject, makes an uncanny King of Pop, but the movie about his rise, directed by Antoine Fuqua, leaves a lot unspoken.“I wish everybody was in the movie,” La Toya Jackson told Variety at the premiere.
“She was asked and she kindly declined, so you have to respect her wishes.”Last month, rumors began to swirl that the “All for You” singer attended a family screening of the film and wasn’t pleased.Page Six reported that Janet and Jermaine got into a spat, with Janet critiquing almost every scene.
At Monday’s premiere, “Enterta...