A year ago, hardly anyone knew Jaafar Jackson could act. He’d never tried. Then came “Michael,” the big film about his uncle, and everything changed.
Jaafar is Michael Jackson’s nephew, the son of Jermaine Jackson from the Jackson 5. He had never acted a day in his life before he was cast to play the King of Pop. The movie went on to become the first biopic, a film about a real person’s life, ever to pass $1 billion around the world. It’s also the biggest release ever for its studio, Lionsgate.
Now he’s being recognized for it.
On October 20, the Critics Choice Association announced that Jaafar will receive the Actor Award (Film) at its 9th annual Celebration of Black Cinema & Television. The group praised his “critically acclaimed, crowd-pleasing portrayal of Michael Jackson.”
The ceremony is set for Monday, November 16, at the Fairmont Century Plaza hotel in Los Angeles. Comedian Roy Wood Jr. is hosting.
And Jaafar won’t be the only big name on that stage.
The Celebration is honoring a whole room of familiar faces that night. Debbie Allen, the actress and dancer so many people remember from “Fame,” is one of them. Chris Rock, the comedian, is another. Chiwetel Ejiofor, who earned an Oscar nomination for “12 Years a Slave,” is being recognized too, along with Quinta Brunson, the creator and star of the hit TV comedy “Abbott Elementary.” Anthony Mackie, who now plays Captain America in the Marvel films, is on the list as well.
That’s the company Jaafar is keeping now, after a single movie.
He hasn’t said anything publicly about the award yet. But he’s been out this month, and the cameras have found him looking every bit the new leading man.
Jaafar Jackson on camera this month
One quick note about the name of the event, because it’s easy to mix up. This isn’t the Critics Choice Awards, the big televised show that happens every January. The Celebration of Black Cinema & Television is its own evening, held each year to honor Black performers and the people who tell their stories on screen.
The show won’t air right away either. The Critics Choice Association plans to premiere it on its YouTube channel in December, so folks who can’t make it into the room will still get to watch the whole thing.
For Jaafar, it’s a remarkable turn. Not long ago he was learning how to act for the very first time. Now his name sits on a list with some of the most celebrated performers working today, and there’s a trophy waiting for him in Los Angeles next month.