The story of Michael Jackson is hitting the big screen as ‘Michael’ lands in UAE cinemas on Wednesday, April 22. As the release approaches, we’re looking back at what lead star Jaafar Jackson said during an earlier interview about the similarities between him and the King of Pop when he visited Dubai a few years ago.

Jaafar Jackson, the nephew of Michael Jackson and son of Jermaine Jackson, makes his feature film debut in a role that blends personal connection with artistic interpretation. Reflecting on comparisons with his famous uncle during that visit, he said, “I guess I was born with this singing voice, there’s nothing I can change. I’ve had people tell me to ‘you should sound different’, but that’s impossible, I want to be myself.”

The biopic follows the King of Pop from his early days with the Jackson Five to his rise as a global superstar, exploring the ambition, pressure and defining moments that shaped his career.

Jaafar also addressed the natural similarities fans may notice: “Our entire family has a very familiar speaking voice and the tone in which we sing is also very similar, only when you listen closely can you tell the difference.”

The film focuses on Michael Jackson’s early years, highlighting how his extraordinary talent as a young performer began shaping the future of pop music. Jaafar Jackson shared that his own inspiration started at a young age: “Growing up, I listened to a lot of Jackson 5 and watched Michael Jackson’s performances on TV. I would try to dance like him, so yes, he inspired me from an early age.”

The biopic recreates iconic performances and tracks such as ‘Billie Jean’ and ‘Beat It’, while also exploring life beyond the spotlight, the rehearsals, expectations and relentless drive behind the scenes.

Directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by John Logan, the film features a supporting cast including Nia Long, Miles Teller and Colman Domingo.

Blending music with personal storytelling, ‘Michael’ offers both longtime fans and new audiences a closer look at the man behind the legend, and the moments that redefined pop culture forever.

‘Michael’ is being screened at Reel Cinemas in the UAE. For booking visit: https://reelcinemas.com/