Jaafar Jackson is answering the question on everyone’s mind.

Is Michael Jackson’s nephew Jaafar really singing in Michael biopic?

Jaafar Jackson is answering the question on everyone's mind.

By Shania Russell

Shania Russell

Shania Russell is a news writer at *, *with five years of experience. Her work has previously appeared in SlashFilm and Paste Magazine.

EW's editorial guidelines

April 24, 2026 12:00 p.m. ET

Leave a Comment

Jaafar Jackson and uncle, Michael Jackson. Credit:

Glen Wilson/Lionsgate; Frank Edwards/Fotos International/Getty

Portraying a legend is no easy task — especially when it's a family affair.

Jaafar Jackson is moonwalking into his uncle Michael Jackson's shoes in the Antoine Fuqua-directed biopic, *Michael*. To portray the King of Pop, the young star is channeling Michael's signature look, executing his iconic choreography, embodying his voice, recreating his mannerisms, and getting into his headspace.

And there's one more piece of the puzzle, which audiences inevitably wonder about with musical biopics: the voice.

When it comes to the music, featuring hits from across Jackson's early career, does Jaafar provide the vocals in the musical movie? The answer is both yes and no.

Jaafar Jackson in 'Michael'.

Jaafar provided a direct answer himself during an April 2 visit to* **TODAY With Jenna and Sheinelle**. *

When asked if he lent his voice to the project, Jaafar replied, "When I was doing all the performances, I was actually singing out live in the microphone on top of Michael's track."

He went on to explain that the final product is "a blend" of his vocals and Michael's together. But there are a few key moments that saw Jaafar on his own in front of a microphone.

See the Michael Jackson biopic cast and the real people they're playing

Colman Domingo addresses Paris Jackson's criticism on Michael Jackson biopic

On more than one occasion, *Michael* takes its audience into the studio to watch the titular star record a few of his biggest hits. We then cut between Michael singing with and without a backing track. In those instances, the audience is hearing pure Jaafar without his uncle's blended-in vocals.

"It's actually me singing acapella," the actor shared. "Which was really fun to do."

*Michael* chronicles the early career of the iconic pop star, tracing his journey with the Jackson 5 to his solo breakthrough in the '70s and '80s. For the earliest sections of the movie, Jackson is played by 12-year-old Juliano Krue Valdi, who has been sharing videos of himself dancing to Jackson's music for years.

He, too, gets a few opportunities to show off his solo vocal chops when young Michael is signed to Motown Records with his brothers and begins recording the group's early hits.

"Juliano is a pure whirlwind of nonstop energy," Fuqua told NME. "But he's the sweetest little guy, and extraordinarily talented. He's not only a great singer and dancer, but he has a rare ability to tap into raw emotions as an actor. When Juliano walks in a room, he's like a little man. Michael was that same way at nine."

Judah Edwards as Young Tito, Jaylen Hunter as Young Marlon, Juliano Krue Valdi as Young MJ, Nathaniel McIntyre as Young Jackie and Jayden Harville as Young Jermaine in 'Michael'.

Glen Wilson/Lionsgate

Jaafar, who is the son of Michael's brother Jermaine Jackson, was tapped to play the film's lead role in 2023. At the time, Fuqua told EW that it was "uncanny" how much the young star resembles his uncle, insisting that he "sounds like him, dances like him, sings [like him]."

***Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our ******EW Dispatch newsletter******.***

That said, Jaafar had never acted and was not a professional dancer when he landed the role. His raw talent was promising, but a long, meticulous rehearsal period was needed before cameras began rolling. In the end, Fuqua was overjoyed with Jaafar's performance.

"What draws you into Michael's world is Jaafar's absolute authenticity," the director said. "We all agreed there could be no imitating Michael. Instead, what Jaafar accomplished was to be completely in the moment and bring that same positive spirit we saw Michael bring to everything he did. It's something you can feel."

*Michael *arrives in theaters on April 24.

- Biopic Movies

- Musical Biopic

Original Article on Source

Source: “EW Musical”