Alright, so everyone in the world has been asking: Who is Jaafar Jackson? And honestly? The timing couldn’t be better to find out.
The trailer for Michael came out last week and absolutely exploded. It got 116 million views in 24 hours, which is a significant surge. And there he was: this young bloke who is so Michael Jackson-esque it’s quite scary. Turns out, there’s a good reason for that.
Jaafar Jackson is Michael’s nephew. Yep, actual family. His father is Jermaine Jackson, one of the original members of the Jackson 5, so he’s (kind of) music royalty. He’s 29 now, born in July 1996 in Los Angeles. Jaafar Jackson’s parents are Jermaine and Alejandra Oaziaza, a Colombian fashion designer who has dressed some major names.
But here’s what gets me: Is Jaafar Jackson related to Michael Jackson? Well, yes, but it’s more than just being related. His grandmother, Katherine, Michael’s mother, says Jaafar is the “spitting image” of her son. Coming from her, that’s huge.
He Nearly Became a Golfer
This is brilliant; when Jaafar was younger, he wanted to be a professional golfer. Seriously. Can you imagine the nephew of the King of Pop choosing golf over music? But growing up surrounded by the Jackson family, music was always going to win out.
He started teaching himself piano at 12. Got really into old-school soul – Sam Cooke, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder. In 2019, he put out his first single, “Got Me Singing”, which now has nearly 9 million views on YouTube. Not bad going for someone most people hadn’t heard of yet.
His first proper stage performance was back in 2017 with his dad and younger brother at a Christmas concert in the Netherlands. Three generations of Jacksons on stage with an orchestra. That’s the world this lad comes from.
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Getting the Role
When Antoine Fuqua decided to make a Michael Jackson biopic, finding someone to play Michael seemed impossible. They searched for two years. Looked everywhere. And ended up right back where they started – with the Jackson family.
The Jaafar Jackson movie trailer dropped on 6 November 2025 and went absolutely mental. It became the most-viewed Lionsgate trailer ever. People couldn’t believe how much Jaafar sounds like Michael. That soft voice, the way he moves, the moonwalk – he’s got it all down.
The film covers Michael’s journey from the Jackson 5 days right through to becoming the biggest entertainer on the planet. Colman Domingo plays Joe Jackson, Nia Long is Katherine, and Miles Teller plays Michael’s lawyer. It’s a proper heavyweight cast.
The Jaafar Jackson movie comes out on 24 April 2026, though there’s talk that it might become two films because the director’s cut was nearly four hours long. Lionsgate have hinted they’re ready to “deliver more Michael” pretty soon after the first one drops.
More Than a Famous Name
Look, I get why some people might be sceptical. Playing your famous uncle in a big Hollywood film? That’s a lot. Some reckon being so close to Michael might make it harder to bring something fresh to the role. But maybe that family connection is exactly what the film needs. Who better to understand Michael than someone who actually knew him?
And Jaafar’s been working at this for years. He’s got his own music out there, he’s been in Jackson family projects, and he’s spent time learning the craft. He’s not just turned up because of his surname.
His management includes Alex Avant, whose dad, Clarence Avant, is a legend in the music business. The industry is backing him because they see real talent, not just a famous relative.
His Own Person
Jaafar Jackson age might seem young to shoulder such a mammoth role, but he’s got his own artistic vision. He enjoys fashion, drawing and travel. His favourite places, it seems, are Hong Kong and Austria, as he loves the buzz as well as the landscape. He would like to collaborate with producer Rick Rubin and visit Paris.
As for Jaafar Jackson wife, he is not married yet. However, he got engaged to Maddie Simpson this year in January. She’s a model and social media personality. They look happy together, but Jaafar tends to keep much of his personal life private.
Jaafar Jackson religion is not something he speaks openly about very often. Some of the members of the Jackson family have a tapestry of different religious beliefs, but Jaafar’s pretty private when it comes to his own personal faith.
The Pressure’s On
Let’s be real; this film’s going to get picked apart. Michael’s legacy is complicated. A brilliant performer who changed music forever, but his life had controversy, too. How the film handles that will be interesting.
The production hasn’t been smooth either. Tonnes of reshoots, fights over its length and legal issues concerning some aspects of Michael’s story. It’s a very big project with a budget in the region of £120 million.
But if that trailer is any indication, Jaafar might have made it work. People who have watched footage reckon his transformation is stunning. Even Katherine Jackson, who was so close to Michael, thinks Jaafar embodies him. That’s got to mean something.
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What Happens Next?
This is Jaafar’s first film. His first one. Most actors start small and work their way up. Not Jaafar; straight in at the deep end with the biggest role imaginable. The pressure must be insane.
If the film works, and judging by that trailer reaction, there’s massive interest; his life’s about to change completely. He won’t be “Michael Jackson’s nephew” anymore. He’ll be “the actor who played Michael Jackson.” That’s a different league of fame.
But he’s still doing his music. He’s got songs ready, he’s working with producers, and he wants his own identity in the industry. The tricky bit will be balancing being known for playing Michael whilst carving out his own space.
One thing’s certain: Jaafar Jackson is a name worth remembering. Whether you’re a massive Michael Jackson fan or just curious about one of next year’s biggest films, this young performer is about to step into a serious spotlight. And from what we’ve seen, he looks ready for it.
So when someone asks you who is Jaafar Jackson?, you can tell them. He’s Michael’s nephew, sure. But he’s also a talented performer who’s been given the chance to honour his uncle’s legacy in the biggest way possible. No pressure, right?
