Michael Jackson's nephews TJ and Taj are showing support for the new Michael biopic and their cousin Jaafar's performance in the movie as it opens in theaters
NEED TO KNOW
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TJ and Taj, sons of the late Tito Jackson, attended the movie's Los Angeles premiere with a number of Jackson family members on Monday, April 20
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Michael is in theaters Friday, April 24
Jaafar Jackson's cousins are sharing public support for their cousin just before his newMichael Jacksonbiopic hits theaters.
TJ JacksonandTaj Jackson— two of the lateTito Jackson'sthree children— have taken to social media in recent days to enthusiastically supportMichaeland call out film critics who havelargely given the film negative reviews. "Sorry media, u don't get to control the narrative anymore of who Michael Jackson truly was. The public gets to watch this movie…they will decide for themselves. And you can't handle that," Taj, 52,wrote on Xon Tuesday, April 21. "Can't wait till some critics have to eat crow. And yes I will be that petty."TJ, meanwhile, has written several complimentary posts regardingMichael's release in recent days, including praisingColman Domingo's portrayal of Michael and Tito's fatherJoe Jacksonas "incredibly good" and stating that he believes his "uncle's essence is captured" by Jaafar's performance in the movie. (Jaafar, 29, is Jermaine Jackson's son.)
"I'm going to the theater in a few hours to see a movie I've seen several times. Why? Because I'm proud," TJ, 47, wrote in afollow-up X post. "I wouldn't miss this opportunity to be masked in the electrifying energy that will be in that theater for nothing. My uncle deserves this, my cousin earned this and his loyal supporters are owed this. The world will be reminded or learn who MJ truly was and I can't wait!"
TJ and Taj were among a number of members of the Jackson family — including Michael's siblings Marlon Jackson, Jackie Jackson, Jermaine Jackson, La Toya Jackson, Katherine Jackson,Jaafarand Michael's sonPrince— who gathered with the cast and dozens of celebrities for the film's Los Angeles premiere at the TCL Chinese Theatre on Monday, April 20. Not every member of the family has been on board with the film's production:Janet, 59, declined to be portrayed in the movie, and Michael's daughter Paris, 28, said back in September 2025 that she "wasn't involved at all" with the project.
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"I knew to make my family proud, I knew I would have to have a work ethic that was incredible and really take on everything the way Michael would take it on," Jaafar told PEOPLE on the red carpet of his performance as his uncle.
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The movie sees child actor Juliano Valdi portray the King of Pop as a child and Jaafar play him as an adult as it tracks his rise to fame with The Jackson 5, solo career and eventual break from his family and father Joe's management in the 1980s.
Michaelis in theaters April 24.
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