Jaafar Jackson

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 Bogotá, Colombia.^[1][2] Through both of his parents, he has 11 siblings–nine brothers and two sisters.^[3][4][5]

In 2015, Jaafar Jackson was a main cast member in the filming of his family's reality show Living with the Jacksons.^[6] He has covered songs by Sam Cooke and Marvin Gaye; in 2019 released his first single, "Got Me Singing". The single is associated with a full‑length, unreleased album titled Famous, which was intended to coincide with the release of "Got Me Singing" around 2019–2020 but not issued owing to rejections from record labels because he sounded "too much" like his uncle^{[citation needed]} Michael Jackson, the termination of his partnership with NASGO, and his focus on acting. He appeared in Jackson-related projects, including The Jacksons: Next Generation and the music video for Tito Jackson's 2021 single "Love One Another".^[7] According to Empire, he "established a social media presence as a talented singer and dancer".^[8]

After a two-year casting process,^[9] it was confirmed in December 2023 that Jackson had been cast in the lead role of Michael Jackson in Michael, a biopic directed by Antoine Fuqua and distributed by Lionsgate in the United States and by Universal Pictures internationally.^[10] Michael's mother and Jackson's grandmother, Katherine Jackson, expressed approval of the casting, stating that he "embodies" her son.^[11][12] Jackson wrote on his personal Instagram that he was "humbled and honored" to be chosen for the role.^[13] Principal photography began on November 27, 2023, in Los Angeles.^[14] Footage of Jackson on set appeared online shortly afterward.^[15] Michael was released in April 2026. Its $217 million opening made it the highest‑grossing ever debut for a biographical film.^[16] Though the film divided reviewers and audiences, receiving mixed reviews, Jackson's performance was acclaimed by critics.^[17]

Jackson was honored during a Michael ceremony in Gary, Indiana. He received the key to the city from Mayor Eddie Melton on April 13, 2026, after a special hometown screening of the film. Jackson said he was grateful.^[18]

Jackson has a younger brother, Jermajesty Jermaine Jackson (born 2000), in addition to several half-siblings from his parents' previous relationships.^[19] 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. Jaafar said he is inspired by his musical family, as well as by Frank Sinatra and Stevie Wonder.^[20]

In early 2010, when he was 13, Jaafar Jackson's family was investigated by police and child protection officers in Encino, Los Angeles, after he purchased a stun gun online.^[21][22][23] Jackson and Maddie Simpson have been dating since mid-2016, and the two are engaged.^[24]