A member of Michael Jackson’s family is targeting the media in the lead-up to the release of the Lionsgate biopic this weekend.
Michael Opening in theaters and Imax on Friday, the film stars Jackson’s nephew Jafar Jackson in his first appearance as the pop icon. Colman Domingo plays the singer’s father, Joe Jackson, while Nia Long plays his mother, Katherine. Miles Teller, Laura Harrier, Kat Graham, Larenz Tate and Derek Luke complete the cast of director Antoine Fuqua’s film that tells the story of Michael Jackson’s origins and rise to fame, ending in the 1980s.
Taj Jackson, a musician and producer whose father is Michael Jackson’s brother, Tito Jackson, took to social media on Tuesday to rebuke the media over its coverage of the late music star. Grammy Award-winning Michael Jackson’s career spanned more than just the 1980s stirwhich remains the best-selling album of all time, and such hits as “Billie Jean” and “Beat It,” but also a number of scandals and legal issues.
Taj Jackson wrote on
He added in a later post: “Can’t wait for some critics to have to eat crow. And yes I would be that petty.”
I can’t wait until some critics have to eat crow. And yes I will be petty.
— Taj Jackson (@tajjackson3) April 21, 2026
Michael It’s set to make a lot of noise at the box office as it heads toward a domestic opening that will likely exceed $65 million. Critical response has been more muted, with the film currently holding a 36 percent approval rating from reviewers on Rotten Tomatoes. In his country Michael Review for Hollywood Reporter“, leading film critic David Rooney called the film “surprisingly moving” and also noted that “the film leaves itself open to accusations of saintifying Michael, which will not appeal to canceled audiences.”
THR It was previously reported that a longer prototype version of the film was being prepared to feature scenes showing the star dealing with allegations of child sexual abuse. The third act included the portrayal of the defendant whose previous settlement with the performer’s estate stipulated that he would never be cast, which led to the film being retooled. A second film focusing on the last part of Jackson’s life before his death in 2009 was in development from Lionsgate.
Taj Jackson has been a strong advocate for his uncle’s legacy and previously spoke out about the 2019 documentary Leaving Neverlandwhich centered on two people who accused Michael Jackson of abusing them when they were children. At the time, Taj Jackson called the allegations false and defamatory.
