Who is Jaafar Jackson, the “Michael” in the Michael Jackson Biopic?

As a Michael Jackson fan, I am aware in some extent of the Jackson Family. I can name all his brothers and sisters but I am incapable to name all his nieces and nephews or naming any of LaToya’s 10 albums (I had to check that by the way), and I am sure I am not the only one!

So when Jaafar Jackson was named as lead actor in the upcoming official biopic “Michael”, which will tell the story and life of Michael Jackson, I thought it would be nice for us to know more about Michael’s nephew, just like we did for those involved in the biopic.

Let’s start right from the beginning: Jaafar Jackson was born on July 25, 1996 in Los Angeles, California from the union of Jermaine Jackson and Alejandra Loaiza.

Jermaine has been married and divorced 3 times and has 7 children from those unions, meaning Jaafar has a lot of siblings. Jermaine first married Berry Gordy’s daughter, Hazel, in 1973 until they divorced in 1988 and they had 3 children: Jermaine La Jaune Jackson Jr, Autumn Joi Jackson and Jaimy Jermaine Jackson.

He then had a relationship with Margaret Maldonado and from this union, Jeremy Maldonado Jackson and Jourdynn Michael Jackson were born.

But Jaafar is the first of two children from the union between Jermaine and Randy’s ex, Alejandra Genevieve Oaziaza who he divorced in 2003. Jaafar Jermiah Jackson was born in 1996 and Jermajesty Jermaine Jackson in 2000.

However, Alejandra and Randy Jackson had previously two children: Genevieve Jackson and Steven Randall Jackson Jr, making them Jaafar’s half brother and sister (but also cousins? Very confusing!)

As growing up in one of the most iconic musical family, Jaafar turned to music very quickly and at 12, he already plays piano.

In 2017, Jaafar made his stage debut on stage with his father and brother Jermajesty singing “The Christmas Song” live on stage at MAX Proms in the Netherlands.

Jaafar made his solo artist stage debut in 2018 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood performing a set of four songs (“You’re The One”, “Take Control”, “Hurricane” and “Stir Me Up”) and on June 28, 2019, he debut his first single “Got Me Singing” which a music video was shot in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil:

Jaafar Jackson has appeared as himself in a number of Jackson-related projects, including The Jacksons: Next Generation and Tito Jackson’s music video in 2021.

Now 26 years of age, Jaafar will play his uncle, the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, in the official biopic which is set to start production in late 2023.

Clearly, the biopic will be a turning point in Jaafar’s career and it can go either way. One of the next generation of Jackson that we need to keep an eye on!