As Colman Domingo prepares for the release of the Michael biopic, he is responding to criticism from Paris Jackson, the daughter of Michael Jackson, whose life the film portrays. The Colman Domingo Michael biopic has sparked significant discussion, especially regarding its accuracy and portrayal of key figures.
Paris Jackson openly criticized Antoine Fuqua’s upcoming film chronicling her father’s life, and her comments surfaced during Domingo’s recent interview with WSJ Magazine. He expressed hope that Paris would eventually appreciate the tribute the film represents.
I hope that she eventually loves the tribute that we made about her father,
Domingo told the magazine.
Paris Jackson Shares Concerns About the Film’s Accuracy
In September, Paris Jackson publicly challenged Domingo after he described her involvement in the film’s production as “very helpful” in PEOPLE. Paris revealed on Instagram that she had reviewed an early script draft and highlighted inaccuracies that troubled her, which were allegedly not addressed. She stated,
I read one of the first drafts of the script and gave my notes about what was dishonest [and] didn’t sit right with me and when they didn’t address it I moved on with my life,
and added,
Not my monkeys, not my circus. God bless and godspeed.
In his WSJ interview, Domingo clarified that his remarks to PEOPLE had been misunderstood and taken out of context. He acknowledged that the article was later updated for accuracy. Domingo also shared that he reached out to Paris via Instagram to explain, and her response was a simple heart emoji.
Transforming Into Joe Jackson: Domingo’s Role in Michael
In the biopic, Domingo portrays Joe Jackson, Michael Jackson’s father, a figure surrounded by controversy. His physical transformation for the role was so convincing that director Antoine Fuqua admitted it unsettled him. Fuqua told WSJ that Domingo seemed to fully embody Joe Jackson, reflecting not only his appearance but his mannerisms and speech style.
The director praised Domingo’s commitment, saying he “melts into the character,” capturing Joe Jackson’s body language and presence.
Exploring Joe Jackson’s Complex Legacy Through Acting
Domingo discussed the challenge of portraying such a polarizing figure, focusing on uncovering Joe Jackson’s humanity amid the public discourse. He stated,
For me, it was about finding his humanity,
and emphasized Joe Jackson’s role in shaping iconic musical talents.
He created some of the most iconic artists that have ever walked this earth. What goes into the making of that man?
When asked about allegations of abuse from Joe’s children, Domingo responded thoughtfully, acknowledging the difficulty of assessing Joe’s parenting methods while noting,
I will say that he chastised his children. It’s always going to be arguable what’s right and a great method.
Paris Jackson Draws Parallels with Other Controversial Biopics
Despite Paris Jackson’s reservations, the film has received support from the Jackson estate. Paris compared her experience with Michael to that of families connected to other music biopics, like Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody and Mötley Crüe in The Dirt, expressing skepticism about the authenticity of these portrayals.
She criticized Hollywood‘s tendency to blend fact and fiction, stating,
The thing about these biopics is, it’s Hollywood. It’s fantasyland. It’s not real. But it’s sold to you as real,
and added,
The narrative is being controlled. And there’s a lot of inaccuracy and there’s a lot of just full-blown lies. At the end of the day, that doesn’t really fly with me.
Michael’s Upcoming Release and Creative Team
Directed by Antoine Fuqua, known for Training Day, Michael is based on a screenplay by John Logan, whose writing credits include Skyfall and Gladiator. The film is slated to debut in theaters on April 24, promising to offer an intimate look at the life of the King of Pop through powerful performances and storytelling.
