Janet Jackson’s absence from Michael Jackson’s biopic, Michael, is addressed by their sister LaToya Jackson. Directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by John Logan, Michael stars Jaafar Jackson in the title role as the King of Pop, with Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson and Nia Long as Katherine Jackson, Michael’s parents.
Michael depicts about 25 years of Michael Jackson’s rise to global superstardom, from his early days as the young lead singer of the Jackson 5 to his solo mega-successes with the albums Thriller and Bad in the 1980s. The Jackson family is also central to Michael, which delves into Joe Jackson’s abuse and manipulation of his children. However, not every member of the Jackson family appears in Michael, and the biggest omission is Janet Jackson.
Speaking to Variety at Michael’s red carpet premiere in Los Angeles, LaToya Jackson reveals why her youngest sibling, Janet Jackson, does not appear at all in the King of Pop’s biopic. Read her quote below:
LaToya Jackson: “I wish everybody was in the movie… She was asked, and she kindly declined, so you have to respect her wishes.”
Janet Jackson’s absence from Michael is simply because she declined to participate, as did Michael’s daughter, Paris Jackson. However, no acknowledgment of Janet leaves a glaring hole in Michael‘s portrayal of the Jackson clan. Second only to Michael himself, Janet Jackson is one of the most successful members of the Jackson family and one of the biggest pop recording artists of all time.
Currently 35% on Rotten Tomatoes, Michael bypasses the child sex abuse allegations levied against Michael Jackson in the 1990s. Meanwhile, Janet Jackson herself is no stranger to controversy. Janet’s 2003 Super Bowl halftime show performance with Justin Timberlake ignited a powderkeg after he tore open her top, and her infamous ‘wardrobe malfunction’ exposed her right breast to 140 million viewers.
Michael is a Jackson family affair, with several members of the Jackson 5, as well as Michael’s son, Prince Jackson, listed as producers. Michael’s brothers, Marlon, Tito, Jermaine, and Jackie Jackson, also appear in the biopic, as does LaToya, who is played by Jessica Sula. Jaafar Jackson, who uncannily embodies Michael, is Jermaine’s son and Michael Jackson’s nephew.
Michael’s eldest sister, Rebbie Jackson, is also omitted from the film, but Janet’s absence is the most jarring, as she is the best known and most beloved member of the Jackson family besides Michael himself.
Although Michael is emphatically focused on Michael Jackson’s growth as a recording artist and pop megastar, the absence of Janet Jackson inevitably makes the biopic’s depiction of the Jackson family incomplete.
