The Michael Jackson biopic has been gaining traction for several reasons, one of which is how uncannily similar the actor looks to the music legend. From the choreography and makeup to his movements, it feels as though someone with a strong connection to Jackson has stepped up for the role. That might not be wrong, as the actor portraying Michael Jackson is his nephew, Jaafar Jackson.

He was selected from over 200 actors who auditioned for the role, and the decision appears to have paid off, with La Toya Jackson praising both the casting choice and her nephew’s performance.

During the Michael premiere in L.A., Extra TV caught up with singer and actress La Toya Jackson. When asked about her thoughts on the biopic about Michael Jackson, she shared that the movie was good, and it has stayed true to the story. And speaking about Jaafar Jackson’s performance, she could not stop raving about how the family felt as though they were watching the legend himself.

“Jaafar made you believe and think that it was Mike. You look at him and forget it’s Jaafar. You think that it’s your brother," she said.

During the premiere, she was also asked by Variety about the controversies surrounding the movie that delayed its release, and if that made her doubt whether the movie could be released. In response, she said she was not nervous and knew that the film would see the light of day despite all the hurdles and delays. Jackson further added that she would have liked all the family members to be part of the film when asked about Janet Jackson, who is not involved in the film. 

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While not all members of the family could be involved, Jaafar Jackson took it on himself to ensure that the Jackson family legacy got its spotlight. For Jaafar Jackson, stepping into this role was not simply a matter of performance, it comes with the quiet understanding of a legacy he has grown up watching from the sidelines.

Jaafar Jackson, who closely watched his family’s passion for music, became aware of their fame early on. In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, the actor recalled that the first time he truly recognized it was during the 30th anniversary concert at Madison Square Garden. He spoke about witnessing the overwhelming crowd as they cheered for his family.

“I just remember it being incredibly loud, hearing all the fans screaming. I was covering my ears and seeing my father and uncles on stage,” he said.

He was about five or six years old at the time. Now, at 29, he is tasked with portraying the larger-than-life personality that once made crowds go wild. And if La Toya Jackson’s comments are any indication, something remarkable can be expected when the movie premieres on April 24.

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What do you think about La Toya Jackson’s opinion? Let us know in the comments.