Jaafar Jackson

Last updated
Jaafar Jackson
Born
Jaafar Jeremiah Jackson

(1996-07-25) July 25, 1996 (age 29)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupations
  • Singer
  • dancer
  • actor
Years active2019–present
PartnerMaddie Simpson (2016–present)
Father Jermaine Jackson
Family Jackson family

Jaafar Jeremiah Jackson (born July 25, 1996) is an American singer, dancer, and actor. He is the son of Jermaine Jackson and released his debut single, "Got Me Singing", in 2019. He is set to make his film debut portraying his paternal uncle Michael Jackson in the upcoming biographical film Michael (2026).

Contents

Early life

Jaafar Jeremiah Jackson was born on July 25, 1996, in Los Angeles. He is the son of Jermaine Jackson of the Jackson family and Alejandra Genevieve Oaziaza, who was born in Colombia, [1] and had previously dated Randy Jackson. [2] Jackson began singing and dancing at the age of 12. [3] During his youth, he also expressed aspirations of becoming a professional golfer. [4]

Career

In 2015, Jackson was a main cast member in the filming of his family's reality show Living with the Jacksons . [5] He has covered songs by Sam Cooke and Marvin Gaye, and in 2019 released his first single, "Got Me Singing". He also appeared in Jackson-related projects, including The Jacksons: Next Generation and the music video for Tito Jackson's 2021 single "Love One Another". [6] According to Empire , he "established a social media presence as a talented singer and dancer". [7]

After a two-year casting process, [8] it was confirmed in December 2023 that Jackson had been cast in the lead role of his uncle Michael Jackson in Michael, an upcoming biopic directed by Antoine Fuqua and distributed by Lionsgate in the United States and by Universal Pictures internationally. [9] Michael's mother and Jackson's grandmother, Katherine Jackson, expressed approval of the casting, stating that he "embodies" her son. [10] [11] Jackson wrote on his personal Instagram account that he was "humbled and honoured" to be chosen for the role. [12] Principal photography began on November 27, 2023, in Los Angeles, California. [13] Footage of Jackson on set appeared online shortly afterward. [14]

Personal life

Jackson has a younger brother, Jermajesty Jermaine Jackson (born 2000), as well as several half-siblings from his parents' previous relationships. [15] One of his half-brothers, Jermaine LaJaune "Jay" Jackson Jr. (born January 27, 1977), portrayed their father in the 1992 miniseries The Jacksons: An American Dream , a biographical film about the Jackson family.

Jackson has said he is inspired by his musical family, as well as by artists, Frank Sinatra and Stevie Wonder. [16]

In early 2010, when he was 13, Jackson's family was investigated by police and child protection officers in Encino, Los Angeles, after he purchased a stun gun online. [17] [18] [19]

Jackson has been in a relationship with Maddie Simpson since 2016, and the two are engaged. [20]

Performances and works

Filmography

Key
†Denotes film or TV productions that have not yet been released

Film

YearTitleRoleNotesRef(s)
2026 Michael † Michael Jackson Completed [21]

Music videos

YearSongPerformer(s)
2019"Got Me Singing"Himself
2021"Love One Another"' Tito Jackson feat. Bobby Rush, Kenny Neal , Marlon Jackson & Stevie Wonder

Discography

Singles

SongRelease date
"Got Me Singing"June 28, 2019
"Confused"May 8, 2020

References

  1. ↑ "All About Jaafar Jackson's Parents, Jermaine Jackson and Alejandra Genevieve Oaziaza". People.com. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
  2. ↑ Alexander, Martha (31 January 2023). "Jaafar Jackson: who is Michael Jackson's nephew set to play singer in biopic?". Evening Standard. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  3. ↑ Fleming, Mike Jr. (30 January 2023). "Michael Jackson Nephew Jaafar Jackson To Play King Of Pop In Antoine Fuqua-Directed Biopic". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
  4. ↑ Thompson, Avery (January 30, 2023). "Jaafar Jackson: 5 Things To Know About Michael Jackson's Nephew, 26, Playing Him In Biopic". Hollywood Life. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  5. ↑ Walsten, Jessika (2014-07-12). "Bursting the Bubble: The Jackson Family Adjusts to Life After Hayvenhurst #TCA14". Broadcasting+Cable. Retrieved 2026-01-21.
  6. ↑ Earnes, Tom (31 January 2023). "Who is Jaafar Jackson? Michael Jackson's nephew set to play King of Pop in biopic revealed". Smooth Radio. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
  7. ↑ "Michael Jackson's Nephew Jaafar To Play The Singer In New Biopic". Empire. 30 January 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  8. ↑ Parkel, Inga (30 January 2023). "Michael Jackson biopic cast singer's nephew Jaafar Jackson in lead role". Independent. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  9. ↑ Rubin, Rebecca (January 30, 2023). "Michael Jackson's Nephew Jaafar to Star in Biopic 'Michael'". Variety. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
  10. ↑ Legaspi, Althea (January 30, 2023). "Michael Jackson's Nephew Jaafar to Star as Late Singer in Biopic". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  11. ↑ McIntosh, Steven (1 February 2023). "Michael Jackson's nephew Jaafar Jackson to play him in biopic". BBC News. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  12. ↑ Southern, Kieran (31 January 2023). "Michael Jackson biopic will star his nephew Jaafar in title role". The Times . Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  13. ↑ "Jaafar Jackson looks exactly like Michael Jackson while shooting for biopic".
  14. ↑ Todisco, Eric (November 29, 2023). "Michael Jackson's Nephew Jaafar, 27, Looks Just Like His Late Uncle While Filming Biopic: Watch". Hollywood Life. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  15. ↑ Caruso, Skyler (30 January 2023). "All About Michael Jackson's Nephew, Jaafar Jackson, Who Will Play the King of Pop in a New Biopic". People. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
  16. ↑ Salman, Peerzada (February 18, 2020). "Like uncle like nephew… a bit". Dawn.com. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  17. ↑ Goldman, Russell (March 2, 2010). "Jackson Nephew, 13, Investigated for Playing with Stun Gun". ABC News . Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  18. ↑ "Are Michael Jackson's Children Safe? Questions Raised After Stun Gun Incident". ABC News . March 2, 2010. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
  19. ↑ Hyde, Marina (March 4, 2010). "Jackson family latest: who stun-gunned Blanket?". The Guardian . Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  20. ↑ Banerjee, Urmimala (April 3, 2026). "Jaafar Jackson Gets Grandmom's Nod to Play Uncle Michael Jackson in 'Michael' Biopic: Here's What We Know About Him". Variety India. Retrieved April 13, 2026.
  21. ↑ Grobar, Matt (October 3, 2023). "Lionsgate's Michael Jackson Biopic 'Michael' To Be Released Internationally By Universal". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
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