When Prince Jackson walked onto the movie set of Michael, he thought he was doing his job.
Prince was twelve years old when his father, the legendary “King of Pop” Michael Jackson, passed away in 2009. Seventeen years later, working as an executive producer on the giant Hollywood movie about his dad’s life, Prince was ready to help guide the story. What he was not ready for was the moment he turned around and saw the lead actor in full hair, makeup, and costume.
Standing in front of him was his cousin, Jaafar Jackson, completely transformed into Michael Jackson. The resemblance was so powerful that Prince felt an instant “emotional shock.” For a split second, Prince did not see an actor at work. He felt like someone had actually brought his father back to life.
Michael: Prince Jackson Reacts To Watching Cousin Jaafar Recreate Dad’s Iconic Performances
His first instinct was not to give feedback on the costume or praise the performance. He wanted to hug him. Prince realized he was looking at someone who shared his family’s blood, wearing his father’s iconic look, and moving with the same quiet gentleness. He told Jaafar how proud he was, but the feeling was so intense that Prince had to tell his cousin he needed to step outside for some air.
What makes this moment even deeper is that Prince and Jaafar were not strangers meeting on a movie set. They literally grew up together. Jaafar is the son of Jermaine Jackson, making him Michael’s nephew and Prince’s first cousin. As young children, the two of them used to run around their family’s famous Hayvenhurst estate in California, making silly homemade movies for fun. Years later, that same childhood playmate was standing under giant studio lights, carrying the responsibility of playing Prince’s father.
Jaafar Jackson’s Transformation Into Michael Jackson Is Unreal
That incredible closeness is why Jaafar’s performance felt so real. Jaafar did not just put on a wig and learn a few famous dance moves. He spent two full years preparing for the role. He studied old family tapes, practiced dancing in front of mirrors for hours, and read his uncle’s personal writings to understand how he thought. Jaafar wanted to show the gentle person behind the world-famous superstar, matching Prince’s own goal to show people who his father really was at heart.
From Michael’s mother, Katherine Jackson, getting teary-eyed when she first saw pictures of Jaafar, to fans discovering the music all over again, the story has touched millions of people. For Prince, watching his cousin step into his father’s shoes was a rare chance to honor the father he lost way too soon.