Taj Jackson, nephew of Michael Jackson, has taken to social media to challenge how the late singer has been portrayed over the years, framing the film’s release as a turning point in who gets to shape that story.
A Family Voice Enters the Conversation as ‘Michael’ Reaches Theaters
With “Michael” arriving in theaters, Taj Jackson used the moment to address what he sees as a longstanding imbalance between media narratives and public perception. Posting online as anticipation builds, he wrote, “Sorry media, u don’t get to control the narrative anymore of who Michael Jackson truly was.”
Directed by Antoine Fuqua and led by Jaafar Jackson in his first major screen role, the film traces Michael Jackson’s rise from his early days with the Jackson 5 through his emergence as a solo star. Its focus on formative years and career milestones has already sparked discussion about what is included and what is left out.
Taj Jackson’s comments lean into that broader debate. “The public gets to watch this movie…they will decide for themselves. And you can’t handle that,” he added.
The post also carried a more pointed edge toward early reactions surrounding the film: “Can’t wait till some critics have to eat crow. And yes I will be that petty.” Currently, the title holds a 37% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 113 reviews.
Produced by Lionsgate, the picture arrives after years of development, casting attention, and scrutiny over how it would depict one of the most scrutinized figures in pop culture history. With its theatrical debut now underway, the conversation surrounding “Michael” appears set to extend well beyond the box office.