LaToya Jackson has revealed that her sister Janet Jackson declined to participate in the new biopic about their late brother Michael Jackson. Speaking at the premiere of Michael in Hollywood, LaToya told Variety that Janet was asked to be involved but “kindly declined”.
“I wish everybody was in the movie,” LaToya said. “She was asked and she kindly declined so you have to respect her wishes.” The film, directed by Antoine Fuqua, focuses on Michael Jackson’s rise to fame from childhood to 1988, but has faced criticism for omitting the child abuse allegations made against the singer before his death in 2009.
The biopic stars Jaafar Jackson, the nephew of LaToya, Janet and Michael, in the lead role. LaToya praised his performance, saying: “Oh my gosh, I have to tell you that Jaafar was absolutely fabulous. I’m sure you’ve seen the movie and you know how wonderful he is, how we all forget and think that we’re watching Mike.”
Director Fuqua told Variety it was important to involve the Jackson family in the film, adding: “I have so much respect and love for Janet, but you know it’s OK. She’s supportive of Jaafar and that’s what matters.” Michael’s son Prince served as an executive producer, but his other children, Paris and Bigi, were not involved. Paris has publicly criticised the film as inaccurate, stating in September: “The narrative is being controlled and there’s a lot of inaccuracy and there’s a lot of just full-blown lies.”
