Think about watching your family on stage and believing your uncle has actual superpowers. When Jaafar Jackson was a little boy, that is exactly what he thought.
He would stand in his living room, completely glued to the television screen, watching Michael Jackson perform. His favorite video was “Smooth Criminal.” When Michael did his famous anti-gravity lean—bending all the way forward without falling over—little Jaafar’s mind was completely blown.
He truly believed it was magic, long before he learned it was a clever trick using special shoes anchored to the stage.
Jaafar Jackson thought Michael Jackson had “superpowers” because of THIS song | ‘Michael’ Interview
Today, Jaafar isn’t just watching the magic anymore. He is creating it as the star of the massive smash-hit movie Michael.
Playing the King of Pop is a huge job, but Jaafar has a secret weapon: he is Michael’s real-life nephew!
Because music and dance are in his blood, he understood early on that Michael’s art was about much more than just catchy tunes. To Jaafar, deeper masterpiece tracks like “Man in the Mirror” and “Heal the World” were the true driving force of his uncle’s life because they transcended regular entertainment to spread a message of love and change.
Michael Jackson – Smooth Criminal (Official Video)
To make sure he did those big messages justice, Jaafar practiced intensely before the cameras even started rolling. He refused to practice in regular gym clothes. Instead, he rehearsed in the heavy, sparkling costumes, the signature fedora hats, the glittery socks, and the leather loafers. He wanted his body to know exactly how the clothes felt so nothing would surprise him on set.
The film also takes fans on a nostalgic trip back to the early days of The Jackson 5. Actresses in the film, like Nia Long, recalled how classic tunes like “ABC” have a permanent place in their hearts, even being passed down to teach their own babies. But when it is time to get a real party started, the cast agrees that the ultimate, high-energy track is “PYT (Pretty Young Thing).”
Entering the biggest shoes in music history brought a mountain of pressure, but Jaafar successfully pushed the fear away. By practicing hard and focusing on the human being underneath the sparkly glove, he helped create an artwork that has already earned $977 million worldwide. He didn’t just imitate an icon—he brought his uncle’s legendary spirit back to the screen.