Jaafar Jackson Says the Essence of Joe Jackson Was on the ‘Michael’ Set Thanks to Colman Domingo
As the cast of the upcoming biopic Michael continues its press run, fans are getting a closer look at the intensely personal behind-the-scenes dynamic of the film. For Jaafar Jackson, who is stepping into the iconic shoes of his late uncle, Michael Jackson, the production felt incredibly close to home, especially when it came to interacting with Colman Domingo, who plays the Jackson family patriarch, Joe Jackson.
During a recent interview with Pop Base, Jaafar opened up about the uncanny experience of watching Domingo transform into his grandfather. According to the young actor, Domingo didn’t just look the part; he managed to capture the very “essence” of Joe Jackson, bringing a surreal, familiar presence to the set.
“It was so close to home, but I was so taken away just how the presence, you know, and the essence without even trying, I felt it,” Jaafar shared with Pop Base.
Pls why did I not consider how surreal it must’ve been for Jaafar to see his grandfather come back to life 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/K2wKjVEaJI
— vi ☆ fan (@saycamore) April 8, 2026
The transformation was so complete that Domingo even incorporated subtle, undocumented family mannerisms into his performance. Jaafar recalled a specific moment when he first met Domingo while the actor was in full hair and makeup as Joseph.
“He did this gesture to me when we first met… that my grandfather would do to me and my siblings and cousins,” Jaafar explained. The accuracy of the gesture completely caught him off guard. “I said, ‘How did you… who told you that? Like, how did you know that?'”
For Jaafar, that unprompted moment of familial recognition was all the proof he needed that Domingo was fully immersed in the role. “I was like, okay, yeah, he’s ready,” he added.
Directed by Antoine Fuqua, Michael promises to deliver a complex, definitive portrait of the King of Pop, guided by the estate and featuring a deeply personal performance from his own nephew.
Fans eager to see Domingo’s transformation and Jaafar’s highly anticipated debut can catch Michael when it hits theaters on April 24.
