One of the biggest questions surrounding his performance in “Michael” has been whether audiences were actually hearing his voice during the musical sequences, and the actor cleared up the mystery himself.
Jaafar Jackson Revealed How the Film’s Vocals Were Recorded
During an appearance on TODAY with Jenna & Sheinelle in April, Jackson explained that he did not simply lip-sync to his uncle’s recordings while filming. Instead, he performed every musical sequence live on set, singing into the microphone while Michael Jackson’s original tracks played in the background.
He revealed that the finished soundtrack combines both voices, creating what he described as “a blend” of his vocals and Michael’s. The approach allowed the production to preserve the familiar sound of the King of Pop while incorporating Jackson’s own live performances throughout the film.
Some scenes, however, rely entirely on Jaafar’s voice. The movie includes recording studio sequences in which Michael is shown performing without instrumental accompaniment. “It’s actually me singing acapella,” Jackson shared, adding, “Which was really fun to do.”
The role marked a milestone in Jackson’s career. Although he released the single “Got Me Singing” in 2019 and had previously built a reputation as a singer and dancer, “Michael” was his feature film debut. Directed by Antoine Fuqua, the biopic became the first biographical picture to surpass $1 billion at the worldwide box office, while Jackson’s portrayal of his late uncle earned widespread praise and introduced him to audiences around the world.