Jaafar Jackson is a singer, dancer and actor and the son of Jermaine Jackson, which makes him Michael Jackson’s nephew. He became widely known as the actor playing his uncle in the musical biopic Michael, his first professional acting role according to Biography.com. Before that film he had a small recorded catalogue, led by the 2019 single “Got Me Singing,” and a handful of reality-television and music-video appearances.
Family connection
Jaafar is the son of Jermaine Jackson, one of Michael Jackson’s older brothers, so Michael is his uncle. The Associated Press, reporting on his casting in 2023, described him as Jermaine’s second-youngest son. Biography.com names his mother as Alejandra Oaziaza.
TV Insider lists his birth date as July 25, 1996, and his birthplace as Los Angeles, California. These particulars come from that outlet; they are reported as its information rather than checked against an independent public record, so treat them as published details rather than verified facts.
Growing up
Biography.com reports that Jaafar grew up in Encino, California. In a recollection the outlet reports, he described family gatherings and visits to Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch, where the time with relatives centred on ordinary pastimes: playing games, watching movies and going on rides.
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Music career
According to Biography.com, Jaafar began singing and playing piano at age 12. His debut single, “Got Me Singing,” was released in 2019; the Associated Press also reported it as his debut single when it covered his casting. TV Insider classifies him as a singer, songwriter and actor.
His music work also extended to family projects. Biography.com reports that he appeared in Tito Jackson’s 2021 music video for “Love One Another.”
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Screen work before Michael
Jaafar’s earlier screen appearances were mostly documentary-style or reality work rather than scripted drama:
- The Jacksons: Next Generation (2015): a reality series that featured the younger members of the family, according to Biography.com.
- Living with the Jacksons: a series he filmed that was never aired, per Biography.com.
Biography.com describes Michael as his professional acting debut, which is why the film is the reference point for most readers who know him from its publicity.
Playing Michael Jackson in Michael
The Associated Press reported in 2023 that Jaafar had been cast to play his uncle. Producer Graham King said: “I met Jaafar over two years ago and was blown away by the way he organically personifies the spirit and personality of Michael.” Katherine Jackson, Michael’s mother, said: “Jaafar embodies my son.”
The casting carried weight within the family because it placed a relative in the central role of a biopic about a family member. Jaafar has framed it in personal terms, telling Vogue: “I couldn’t be more proud and grateful to be able to tell Michael’s story in a cinematic way.”
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How he prepared
Vogue reports that Jaafar’s preparation had three main parts:
- Archival study: watching archival footage of Michael Jackson.
- Music and writing: listening to Michael Jackson’s recordings and reading his personal writings.
- Dance training: working with Rich + Tone Talauega, whom Jaafar identified as Michael Jackson’s choreographers on the HIStory tour, and practising the dance moves over a period of years.
The multi-year dance work is the detail most relevant to the role, since Michael Jackson’s stage and screen identity depended heavily on movement.
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Release status of Michael
Biography.com reported a planned U.S. theatrical release date of April 24, 2026. That date has now passed, and this article did not confirm the film’s current distribution, streaming or physical-media availability. Check a current listing from the distributor or a major streaming service before assuming where it can be watched.
Readers should also note that Jaafar’s music and film profile is still relatively early. The reported facts above are the ones the sources support; anything beyond them, including later projects, is outside what this article can confirm.
Quick Recap
Quick reference: who he is
- Relation to Michael Jackson: nephew, through his father Jermaine Jackson.
- Professions: singer, dancer and actor (TV Insider lists him as singer, songwriter and actor).
- Debut single: “Got Me Singing” (2019).
- Acting debut: playing Michael Jackson in Michael, per Biography.com.
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