Michael Jackson’s Nephew Jaafar ‘Put Himself Through Hell’ To Maintain Icon’s Physique & Performance Style Amid Ongoing Biopic Delays, Source Says

Michael Jackson’s Nephew Jaafar ‘Put Himself Through Hell’ To Maintain Icon’s Physique & Performance Style Amid Ongoing Biopic Delays, Source Says

Michael Jackson’s upcoming biopic, Michael, has faced multiple delays, from the SAG-AFTRA strike to recent reshoots, but Jaafar Jackson, who plays his late uncle, isn’t letting that shake his focus.

Jaafar, 28, has been training intensely for the role since 2023, and a source close to the project tells In Touch he’s been fully locked in, even as the production timeline stretches. They shared:

“I feel sorry for Jaafar in this case because he has put himself through hell to master his late uncle’s performance style, dance moves and general manner.”

And added:

“He’s had to maintain that peak conditioning and extremely low body fat for more than two years, starting with the early stages of the project and continuing through to the reshoots they’ve been doing this spring.”

 

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While the film is expected to portray Michael in a favorable light, controversy around the star’s legacy adds extra pressure. The source said Jaafar is more concerned with how that tension might impact the final cut.

“It’s also frustrating to him because apart from his own performance, he doesn’t have a lot of control over the rest of the process…The movie still has a delicate balance to strike between covering the Jackson Family’s side of Michael’s legal troubles, while also presenting a couple of dozen of Michael’s most famous musical moments.”

With so much riding on his debut, the source emphasized that Jaafar is giving it everything he’s got.

“Everybody knows they only have one shot at this, and Jaafar has been a team player who pushes himself to the limits every time he gets into his ‘MJ’ makeup.”

Are you excited to see Jaafar star in the Michel Jackson biopic?

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