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First Look at Michael Shows Jaafar Jackson Stepping Into Legendary Spotlight

Fans of Michael Jackson just got a very exciting peek behind the curtain. A brand new teaser for the upcoming biopic Michael has arrived, and it is already stirring up…

Jaafar Jackson, Michael Jackson (young) split image
Photo by Araya Diaz/Gary Merrin/Getty Images

Fans of Michael Jackson just got a very exciting peek behind the curtain. A brand new teaser for the upcoming biopic Michael has arrived, and it is already stirring up emotions, curiosity, and a whole lot of nostalgia. And yes, the moonwalk makes an appearance.

Stepping Into the Spotlight

The teaser, released Thursday, Nov. 6, shows Jaafar Jackson, the son of Michael’s brother Jermaine, stepping into the superstar’s shoes with surprising confidence. He recreates his uncle’s vocals, stage presence, and legendary dance moves. It feels like déjà vu in the best way.

The film is directed by Antoine Fuqua and features Juliano Krue Valdi as young Michael, Colman Domingo as father and manager Joe, Nia Long as mother Katherine, Kat Graham as Diana Ross, and Miles Teller as lawyer and manager John Branca.

Jaafar appears in the teaser wearing the classic stage outfits and wide brimmed hats, dancing under bright lights to the kind of choreography that once made arenas shake. According to the movie’s description, he brings the energy “that led him to become the the biggest entertainer in the world.”

The official synopsis explains, “Highlighting both his life off stage and some of the most iconic performances from his early solo career, the film gives audiences a front row seat to Michael Jackson as never before. This is where his story begins.”

Behind the Scenes Voices

Producer Graham King, who also produced the award winning Bohemian Rhapsody, is helping bring this vision to life.

Colman Domingo, fresh off his Oscar nomination for Rustin, said filming this movie has been meaningful. Speaking about playing Joe Jackson, he told PEOPLE, “I seem to be on the track of interrogating some of these real life human beings. I want to find their humanity, I want to find their heart and their humor. It may go against public opinion sometimes, but I think that's my responsibility to find the complex version of these people.”

Director Antoine Fuqua has praised Jaafar’s performance, saying, "It's incredibly exciting to watch Jaafar bring Michael to life. There was such a spiritual connection when I first met Jaafar, who has a natural ability to emulate Michael and such a great chemistry with the camera."

Miles Teller also shared his excitement after spending time with the real John Branca, saying, “Regardless of what you know or what your opinion may be, Michael is one of the greatest to ever do it, if not the greatest. … He deserves a movie, and I'm excited to be a part of it.”

Mark Your Calendar

Michael hits theaters April 24. Whether you grew up listening to Thriller, discovered him on YouTube, or are just curious about one of music’s most influential artists, it looks like this film is ready to bring audiences closer to the King of Pop than ever before.

Kayla is the midday host on Detroit’s 105.1 The Bounce. She started her career in radio back in 2016 as an intern at another Detroit station and worked her way here. She's made stops in Knoxville, TN, Omaha, Ne and other places before returning to Detroit. She’s done almost everything in radio from promotions to web, creating content on social media, you name it. She’s a true Michigander, born and raised. So, you can catch her camping or vacationing up north to exploring the downtown Detroit or maybe even catching a sports game. During her free time, Kayla enjoys watching movies, roller-skating, crafting, and music festivals. She and her husband together dip into many of the great things Michigan has to offer. Together they also like to travel. A few hobbies of hers include wine and beer tastings, crafting, hiking, roller skating, movies, home improvement projects, gardening, and festivals. She’s always looking to take on more local events happening in the community. She loves connecting with the community. When writing, Kayla covers topics including lifestyle, pop culture, trending stories, hacks, and urban culture.