Kat Graham, who was cast as Diana Ross in the upcoming Michael Jackson biopic Michael, has confirmed that her scenes were removed from the final cut due to “certain legal considerations.” The film, which stars Jackson's nephew Jaafar Jackson, also faced a refusal from his sister Janet Jackson to be portrayed or participate in the production.
Omission of Abuse Allegations
Significantly, the movie entirely omits any depiction or discussion of the child sex abuse allegations against Michael Jackson, concluding its narrative in 1988. This decision to exclude the allegations led to a previous version of the film being scrapped due to violating a settlement with an accuser, necessitating a 22-day, $15 million reshoot and a year-long delay in its release.
Family Reactions
Michael Jackson's daughter, Paris Jackson, has publicly criticised the film for its “inaccuracy” and “full-blown lies,” clarifying that she did not contribute to its development. The biopic continues to stir controversy as it navigates legal and familial disputes.
