The upcoming biographical film Michael (2026), based on the life of global pop icon Michael Jackson is getting notable attention before the release. It comes straight from Antoine Fuqua and follows the late and legendary singe’s journey from childhood to becoming a global icon.
And since it also shows how Jackson became the best version of himself right from childhood, his family is sure to be mentioned. However, a lot of fans of the singer have also noticed that one important figure is missing: his sister Janet Jackson.
Her absence became a major talking point, especially after she also did not attend the film’s premiere of the biopic and this has ignited significant curiosity and speculation among audiences. There are questions like whether there were deeper issues regarding the exclusion of Janet Jackson, but now the family members have clarified the situation.
Find out what they said below!
The real reason why Janet Jackson is not portrayed in the latest Michael (2026) biopic
Janet Michael’s absence from the upcoming biopic has many fans curious about the reason. And now, we finally know the actual reason why Janet is not present: LaToya Jackson revealed that Janet was not ignored or left out by the filmmakers.
Instead, she was approached and given the opportunity to be involved in the project. She was respectfully asked, but Janet chose not to be a part of the film. LaToya Jackson said:
“I wish everybody was in the movie. She was asked and she kindly declined, so you have to respect her wishes.”
LaToya explained that her sister declined the offer politely, and her decision was respected by everyone involved in the film. So, this makes it clear that Janet’s absence from the biopic on his brother is not the result of conflict or exclusion, but rather a personal choice.
Not just LaToya, even the film’s director Fuqua mentioned that when such a biopic is made about a person who was really influential, the decisions and feelings of each family member must be respected. Despite not being part of the film, Janet continues to support her nephew Jaafar Jackson, who plays the late singer in the movie.
More about the Michael (2026) biopic
The biopic is about the singer’s journey from his early childhood days performing with the Jackson 5 to his rise as a global superstar. It focuses on showing how a child from a strict background followed his passion and emerged as a global icon.
To give viewers the best experience, the role of Michael Jackson in the 2026 biopic is played by none other than his nephew, Jaafar Jackson. This will be the star’s debut into the entertainment world, and what better way to make an entry than by playing his own uncle, who is still loved by fans and remembered for his incredible journey.
Other important characters include his parents, played by Colman Domingo and Nia Long. There are also a lot of controversies surrounding the film, because it does not include the allegations that were late put on Jackson.
Overall, Michael is designed as a tribute-style biopic that celebrates the singer’s rise to fame and cultural impact, but it has also sparked debate for leaving out some of the more difficult parts of his life.
The biopic will release on Friday, April 24, 2026.
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Edited by Alisha Khan