Jaafar Jackson

Last updated
Jaafar Jackson
Born
Jaafar Jeremiah Jackson

(1996-07-25) July 25, 1996 (age 27)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupations
  • Singer
  • dancer
  • actor
Years active2019–present
Parent
Relatives Rebbie Jackson (aunt)
Jackie Jackson (uncle)
Tito Jackson (uncle)
La Toya Jackson (aunt)
Marlon Jackson (uncle)
Michael Jackson (uncle)
Randy Jackson (uncle)
Janet Jackson (aunt)
Family Jackson

Jaafar Jeremiah Jackson (born July 25, 1996) is an American singer, dancer, and actor. He is the son of Jermaine Jackson and Alejandra Genevieve, nephew of Michael and Janet Jackson.

Contents

Jackson has appeared in music videos and is featured in The Jacksons: Next Generation. He released his debut single "Got Me Singing" in 2019. He will make his film debut by portraying his uncle, Michael Jackson, in the upcoming film Michael .

Early life

Jaafar Jackson was born in Los Angeles on July 25, 1996. His father is Jermaine Jackson of the Jackson family and his mother is Alejandra Genevieve Oaziaza, who previously dated Randy Jackson. [1] He started singing and dancing at the age of 12. [2] He also had aspirations to become a professional golf player. [3] In 2010, when he was thirteen, Jackson's family was investigated by police and child protection officers in Encino, Los Angeles after he purchased a stun gun online. [4] [5] [6]

Career

Jackson has covered songs by Sam Cooke and Marvin Gaye. In 2019, he released his first single, "Got Me Singing". He appeared in Jackson-related projects including The Jacksons: Next Generation and Tito Jackson music video "Love One Another" in 2021. [7] According to Empire , he "established a social media presence as a talented singer and dancer". [8]

After a two-year casting process, [9] Jackson was cast in the lead role of his uncle Michael Jackson in an upcoming biopic directed by Antoine Fuqua and distributed by Lionsgate. [10] Michael's mother Katherine Jackson was quoted as approving of the casting, saying he "embodies" her son. [11] [12] Jaafar himself wrote on his personal Instagram account that he was "humbled and honored" to be cast in the role. [13] Principal photography began on the film on November 27, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. [14] Footage of Jackson playing the role emerged online shortly afterwards. [15] [16]

Personal life

Jackson has a brother, Jermajesty Jermaine Jackson (b. 2000), and a number of half-siblings from his parents' previous relationships. [17] Jackson said he is inspired by his musical family, as well as artists like Bruno Mars, Frank Sinatra, and Stevie Wonder. [18]

Filmography

Key
Denotes works that have not yet been released
YearTitleRoleNotes
2025 Michael Michael Jackson Post-production [19]

Related Research Articles

<i>Training Day</i> 2001 film directed by Antoine Fuqua

Training Day is a 2001 American crime thriller film directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by David Ayer. It stars Denzel Washington as Alonzo Harris and Ethan Hawke as Jake Hoyt, two LAPD narcotics officers followed over a 24-hour period in the gang-ridden neighborhoods of Westlake, Echo Park, and South Central Los Angeles. It also features Scott Glenn, Eva Mendes, Cliff Curtis, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, and Macy Gray in supporting roles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tito Jackson</span> American musician (born 1953)

Toriano Adaryll "Tito" Jackson is an American musician. He is an original member of the Jackson 5, who rose to fame in the late 1960s and 1970s with the Motown label, and later had continued success with the group on the Epic label in the late 1970s and 1980s. Tito began a solo career in 2003 performing as a blues musician.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jermaine Jackson</span> American singer and member of the Jackson 5 (born 1954)

Jermaine La Jaune Jackson is an American singer, songwriter and bassist. He is best known for being a member of the Jackson family. From 1964 to 1975, Jermaine was second vocalist after his brother Michael of the Jackson 5, and played bass guitar. In 1983, he rejoined the group, now known as the Jacksons, where he consistently played with the group during periods of activity, before departing again in 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Randy Jackson (Jacksons singer)</span> American singer-songwriter and musician

Steven Randall Jackson is an American singer-songwriter, musician, and dancer. Randy is best known as a former member of his family band The Jacksons. Randy is the youngest Jackson brother and the second-youngest Jackson sibling before his sister Janet Jackson. He is the ninth child in the Jackson family.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joe Jackson (talent manager)</span> Patriarch of the Jackson family (1928–2018)

Joseph Walter Jackson was an American talent manager and patriarch of the Jackson family of entertainers. He was inducted into the Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame in 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Antoine Fuqua</span> American film director

Antoine Fuqua is an American film director known for his work in the action and thriller genres. He was originally known as a director of music videos, and made his film debut in 1998 with The Replacement Killers. His critical breakthrough was the 2001 crime thriller Training Day, winning the Black Reel Award for Outstanding Director.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Branca</span> American lawyer

John Gregory Branca is an entertainment lawyer and manager who specializes in representing rock and roll acts. He is also co-executor of the Michael Jackson Estate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Colman Domingo</span> American actor, playwright and director(born 1969)

Colman Jason Domingo is an American actor, playwright and director of both African American and Belizean and Guatemalan descent. Prominent on both screen and stage, he has received various accolades, including a Primetime Emmy Award, and nominations for an Academy Award and two Tony Awards. Time magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Jackson 5</span> American pop music family group

The Jackson 5, later the Jacksons, is an American pop band composed of members of the Jackson family. The group was founded in 1964 in Gary, Indiana, and originally consisted of brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael. They were managed by their father Joe Jackson. The group were among the first African American performers to attain a crossover following.

<i>The Equalizer</i> (film) 2014 American film by Antoine Fuqua

The Equalizer is a 2014 American action thriller film directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by Richard Wenk. It is based on the 1980s TV series of the same title and the first of three films starring Denzel Washington in the lead role. The cast includes Marton Csokas, Chloë Grace Moretz, David Harbour, Bill Pullman, and Melissa Leo. Washington plays Robert McCall, a former Marine and former Defense Intelligence Agency Paramilitary Operations Officer who reluctantly returns to action in order to protect a teenage trafficking victim from members of the Russian mafia.

<i>The Magnificent Seven</i> (2016 film) American film by Antoine Fuqua

The Magnificent Seven is a 2016 American Western action film directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by Nic Pizzolatto and Richard Wenk. It is a remake of the 1960 film of the same name, which itself was a remake of Akira Kurosawa’s 1954 film Seven Samurai. The film stars Denzel Washington, Chris Pratt, Ethan Hawke, Vincent D'Onofrio, Lee Byung-hun, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Martin Sensmeier and Peter Sarsgaard. It was the final film of composer James Horner, who died the previous year after composing part of the score. His friend Simon Franglen completed the music. Principal photography began on May 18, 2015, north of Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

<i>Robin Hood</i> (2018 film) Action film directed by Otto Bathurst

Robin Hood is a 2018 American action-adventure film directed by Otto Bathurst and written by Ben Chandler and David James Kelly, from a story by Chandler. It is a quasi-contemporary retelling of the Robin Hood legend, and follows his training by John to steal from the Sheriff of Nottingham. The film stars Taron Egerton as Robin, and features Jamie Foxx, Ben Mendelsohn, Eve Hewson, Tim Minchin and Jamie Dornan in supporting roles. Returning home to England to learn the corrupt Sheriff of Nottingham (Mendelsohn) has seized his family estate, aristocrat Robin of Loxley joins forces with Friar Tuck (Minchin) and Little John (Foxx) – a fierce Arabian warrior who wants to put an end to the Crusades. Armed with arrows and dubbed Robin Hood, Loxley leads a band of oppressed rebels in a daring plan to rob the Sheriff of his money and take away his power.

<i>All Eyez on Me</i> (film) 2017 film by Benny Boom

All Eyez on Me is a 2017 American biographical drama film directed by Benny Boom. Titled after the 1996 studio album, as well as the song of the same name, it is based on the life and death of the titular American rapper Tupac Shakur. The film stars Demetrius Shipp Jr. as Tupac, with Kat Graham, Lauren Cohan, Hill Harper, and Danai Gurira. Jamal Woolard reprises his role as Christopher "Biggie Smalls" Wallace / The Notorious B.I.G. from Notorious (2009).

John Warhurst is a British music and sound supervisor. He won the Academy Award for Best Sound Editing for the film Bohemian Rhapsody (2018).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kingdom Story Company</span> American film and television studio

Kingdom Story Company, is an American film and television studio in partnership with Lionsgate specializing in the production of Christian films. It was founded in 2019 by the Erwin Brothers, Kevin Downes, and Tony Young and has operations in Nashville, Tennessee and Los Angeles, California.

<i>Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody</i> 2022 film by Kasi Lemmons

Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody is a 2022 American biographical musical drama film directed by Kasi Lemmons, from a screenplay by Anthony McCarten, based on the life and career of American pop icon and actress Whitney Houston. The film stars Naomi Ackie as Houston with Stanley Tucci, Ashton Sanders, Tamara Tunie, Nafessa Williams, and Clarke Peters in supporting roles.

<i>Emancipation</i> (2022 film) 2022 film by Antoine Fuqua

Emancipation is a 2022 American historical action thriller film directed by Antoine Fuqua, written by William N. Collage, and co-produced by Will Smith, who stars as a runaway slave headed for Baton Rouge, Louisiana in the 1860s, after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation to end slavery in secessionist Confederate states, surviving the swamps while being chased by slave catchers and their dogs. Ben Foster stars as a ruthless slave hunter and Charmaine Bingwa as an enslaved wife and mother.

Michael is an upcoming American biographical musical drama film directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by John Logan, based on the life of the American singer and dancer Michael Jackson. It stars Jackson's nephew Jaafar Jackson, in his film debut, alongside Colman Domingo, Nia Long, Miles Teller, Laura Harrier, Kat Graham, Larenz Tate, Jessica Sula, Liv Symone, Kevin Shinick, KeiLyn Durrel Jones, Kendrick Sampson and Derek Luke.

<i>The Equalizer 3</i> 2023 film by Antoine Fuqua

The Equalizer 3 is a 2023 American vigilante action film directed by Antoine Fuqua. It is a sequel to The Equalizer 2 and the third and final installment of The Equalizer trilogy, based on the television series of the same name. The film stars Denzel Washington, reprising his role as retired U.S. Marine and DIA officer Robert McCall, with Dakota Fanning, Eugenio Mastrandrea, David Denman, Gaia Scodellaro, and Remo Girone in supporting roles. In the film, McCall discovers that his new friends in a small town in South Italy are intimidated by Camorra members, where he sets out to save them from the threat.

<i>The Equalizer</i> American spy thriller media franchise

The Equalizer is an American spy thriller multimedia franchise initially co-created by Michael Sloan and Richard Lindheim. It originated with a CBS television series from 1985 to 1989 starring Edward Woodward. The concept was thereafter rebooted twice with a trilogy of movies starring Denzel Washington and a re-imagined 2021 television series, also on CBS, starring Queen Latifah as Robyn McCall. Original co-creator Michael Sloan has written a series of novels featuring Robert McCall, with the first volume published in 2014.

References

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Goldman, Russell (March 2010). "Jackson Nephew, 13, Investigated for Playing with Stun Gun". ABC News . Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  5. "Are Michael Jackson's Children Safe? Questions Raised After Stun Gun Incident". ABC News . March 2, 2010. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
  6. Hyde, Marina (4 March 2010). "Jackson family latest: who stun-gunned Blanket?". The Guardian . Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  7. 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.
  8. "Michael Jackson's Nephew Jaafar To Play The Singer In New Biopic". Empire. 30 January 2023. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  9. Parkel, Inga (30 January 2023). "Michael Jackson biopic cast singer's nephew Jaafar Jackson in lead role". Independent. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  10. Rubin, Rebecca (January 30, 2023). "Michael Jackson's Nephew Jaafar to Star in Biopic 'Michael'". Variety. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
  11. Legaspi, Althea (January 30, 2023). "Michael Jackson's Nephew Jaafar to Star as Late Singer in Biopic". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  12. McIntosh, Steven (1 February 2023). "Michael Jackson's nephew Jaafar Jackson to play him in biopic". BBC News. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  13. Southern, Kieran (31 January 2023). "Michael Jackson biopic will star his nephew Jaafar in title role". The Times. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  14. "Jaafar Jackson looks exactly like Michael Jackson while shooting for biopic".
  15. Ruimy, Jordan (30 November 2023). "Antoine Fuqua's Michael Jackson Biopic Starts Filming in L.A." World of Reel. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  16. 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.
  17. 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.
  18. Salman, Peerzada (February 18, 2020). "Like uncle like nephew… a bit". Dawn.com. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  19. Grobar, Matt (October 3, 2023). "Lionsgate's Michael Jackson Biopic 'Michael' To Be Released Internationally By Universal". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 15, 2023.