LaToya Jackson has publicly addressed the notable absence of her sister Janet Jackson from the new biopic about their late brother, Michael Jackson. The revelation came during the red carpet event at Monday night's premiere of the film Michael, directed by Antoine Fuqua, where both Janet and Michael's daughter Paris were conspicuously missing.
Janet Jackson's Polite Decline
Speaking to Variety at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, LaToya, 69, explained that Janet was offered a chance to participate or be portrayed in the movie but chose to decline. "I wish everybody was in the movie," LaToya stated. "She was asked and she kindly declined so you have to respect her wishes." This decision highlights Janet's deliberate distance from the project, which has been approved and financed by Michael Jackson's estate.
Controversial Film Focus
The biopic, which stars Jaafar Jackson as the titular music icon, traces Michael's rise from childhood fame to his peak in 1988. However, it has faced significant backlash for omitting the child abuse allegations that plagued the singer before his death in 2009. Instead, the film opts to completely exclude these claims, a choice that has sparked criticism and debate among fans and critics alike.
Family Involvement and Support
Despite Janet's absence, other family members are involved in the production. Jaafar Jackson, nephew of LaToya, Janet, and Michael, delivers a performance that LaToya praised enthusiastically. "Oh my gosh, I have to tell you that Jaafar was absolutely fabulous," she gushed. "It's like, 'Oh, I forgot this is Jaafar.'" Director Antoine Fuqua emphasised the importance of family involvement, noting, "You're telling somebody's life, you want to make sure that they're happy." He added that Janet remains supportive of Jaafar, which he sees as what truly matters.
Paris Jackson's Criticism
Janet is not the only family member to distance herself from the biopic. Michael's daughter Paris has publicly criticised the film, calling it inaccurate and questioning the role of estate executor John Branca as an executive producer. In September, Paris stated, "A big section of the film panders to a very specific section of my dad's fandom that still lives in the fantasy... The narrative is being controlled and there's a lot of inaccuracy and there's a lot of just full-blown lies." She has firmly rejected any claims of her involvement, despite actor Colman Domingo's suggestions otherwise.
Broader Family Dynamics
While Michael's son Prince served as an executive producer, his other children, Bigi and Paris, were not involved. This split in family participation underscores the ongoing tensions and legal battles surrounding Michael Jackson's estate. Neither Paris nor Janet responded to requests for comment from The Independent, further emphasising their stance of staying out of the film's narrative.
The premiere of Michael thus not only showcased a controversial portrayal of the King of Pop but also highlighted the complex family dynamics and differing opinions within the Jackson clan, as LaToya's comments bring Janet's respectful decline into the spotlight.
