Prince Jackson, the eldest son of Michael Jackson, recently sat down for a rare interview with ABC News Linsey Davis to discuss the new biopic “Michael.” The film directed by Antoine Fuqua traces the King of Pop’s rise from the Jackson 5 days in Gary Indiana through his solo breakthrough and the Bad era. Prince served as an executive producer and spoke candidly about the personal weight of bringing his fathers story to the screen.
He described the project as a chance for younger generations who never experienced those early years to understand the hard work and growth behind superstardom. At the same time he hoped the movie would rekindle nostalgia and family warmth for longtime fans.
Michael Jackson’s son Prince reveals his takeaway watching ‘Michael’ film
In the conversation Prince zeroed in on one moment that left him reeling. Seeing his cousin Jaafar Jackson fully transformed in hair and makeup as Michael for the first time delivered what he called an “emotional shock.” “I had not seen my father in a long time” he explained “and Jaafar just embodied him and brought him back in that moment.” Prince said he struggled to keep his composure and simply wanted to hug him before stepping outside for air. The two had grown up together at Hayvenhurst making home movies as kids. Now they were collaborating on a major motion picture about the uncle and father they both loved.
Prince framed the entire experience as therapeutic. He noted that the film aims to show audiences a fuller picture of the man behind the icon, one of the most misunderstood figures in popular culture. “I hope that you get a glimpse into the life and the cause and effect that made him who he was,” he said. The biopic focuses on the early journey and the relentless dedication that propelled Michael Jackson from a small house in Indiana to the biggest stages in the world.
Jaafar Jackson Becomes Michael Jackson | Making Of Michael (2026)
That transformation Prince witnessed did not happen overnight. Behind-the-scenes footage and cast interviews reveal the intense preparation Jaafar undertook. The first-time actor spent a year working with coaches studying Michael’s interviews, mannerisms , lyrics and archival footage before stepping into the role. Dance rehearsals demanded precision with playback of original performances guiding every step. Family members including Marlon and Jackie Jackson offered support on set while director Antoine Fuqua and producer Graham King guided a story told largely from Michael’s point of view. The result was a portrayal that not only convinced audiences but deeply moved those who knew Michael best.
Michael Jackson remains one of the most influential artists in history. His catalog reshaped pop music dance and music video as an art form. From the Jackson 5 hits that introduced the world to a prodigious talent to solo landmarks like Thriller Bad and the global phenomenon of his live performances he set standards that still define excellence. Beyond the charts he used his platform for humanitarian causes leaving a template of generosity that continues through efforts like Prince’s Heal Los Angeles Foundation.
The new film and the conversations surrounding it invite both lifelong fans and newcomers to look closer at the craft, the family bonds and the human story behind the legend. Stream the interviews, watch the movie and rediscover why Michael Jackson’s music and impact still resonate across generations.