Paris Jackson publicly denied any role in assisting Colman Domingo with the upcoming Michael Jackson biopic on September 2, disputing the actor’s claims about her involvement. The controversy arose after Domingo mentioned that Michael’s children supported the film, which has sparked confusion regarding Paris’s participation in the project.
Colman Domingo’s Remarks About the Film and the Jackson Family
On September 1, Colman Domingo, 55, spoke to People about his role portraying Joe Jackson, Michael’s father, in the biopic. He stated,
“
[Michael’s kids Paris and Prince are] very much in support of our film,”
and added,
“
I’m excited to be here at amfAR tonight with Paris. It feels like that’s a nice way for us to be together.
”
Domingo also described Paris Jackson as “very helpful” during the film’s preparation and called Prince Jackson “a man of the film.”
Paris Jackson’s Social Media Response to the Claims
Paris responded on Instagram Stories, firmly denying any involvement in the movie’s production. She wrote,
“
@Kingofbingo don’t be telling people I was helpful on the set of a movie I had 0% involvement in lol that is so weird,”
followed by,
“
I read one of the first drafts of the script and gave my thoughts on what was dishonest/didn’t sit right with me and when they didn’t address it I moved on with my life. Not my monkeys not my circus. God bless and god speed.
”
Colman Domingo Has Yet to Respond to Paris’s Statement
As of now, Colman Domingo has not publicly replied to Paris Jackson’s denial. Attempts to obtain further comment have been made by media outlets. Domingo has previously praised the biopic for presenting a new perspective on Michael Jackson’s life and legacy.
Domingo’s Vision for the Michael Jackson Biopic
In a 2024 interview with Andy Cohen, Domingo explained the film’s purpose, saying,
“
I think the whole point of this biopic is to really humanize Michael and really show like the making of Michael and who he is, and so it deals with a lot of things,
”
and continued,
“
A lot of things that may even be controversial, you know what I mean? So, it deals with it, and it’s got the family love and support, but they didn’t get in the way of really telling a compelling story.
”
He further noted,
“
We really show how this family built themselves, how they relate to each other and to the world and what the world has also created.
”
Background on the Biopic’s Development and Cast
The Michael Jackson biopic has experienced multiple delays since 2019, when producer Graham King first acquired the rights. The lead role of Michael Jackson is played by his nephew, Jaafar Jackson. The cast also includes Nia Long, Miles Teller, Laura Harrier, and Kat Graham among others. The film spans Michael Jackson’s career, from the Jackson 5 era to his death in 2009.
Graham King’s Approach to Depicting Michael Jackson’s Life
Producer Graham King emphasized the film’s unbiased storytelling approach in a statement to Variety in 2024, describing Michael Jackson as a complex figure. King said,
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As a filmmaker, I look to humanize but not sanitize and present the most compelling, unbiased story I can capture in a single feature film and let the audience decide how they feel after watching it. Michael clearly remains an impactful, culturally relevant artist with a life and legacy worth exploring.
”
Details on Michael Jackson’s Death and Film Release Timeline
The movie covers Michael Jackson’s life until his death in 2009 caused by cardiac arrest. The medical cause was later linked to an overdose of propofol administered by his physician, Conrad Murray, who was convicted in 2011 of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to prison. While filming wrapped in May 2024, the release date has been postponed from early 2025 to a date expected in 2026.
The Significance of the Biopic and Next Steps
This biopic aims to provide a more intimate and multidimensional view of Michael Jackson, addressing both his artistic achievements and personal complexities. With family members’ support being publicly disputed, the film’s reception may be influenced by these tensions. As production moves forward and the release approaches, audiences are likely to engage with the story in light of ongoing debates surrounding the Jackson family and Michael’s legacy.
