Two days ago, Jaafar Jackson walked onto one of the biggest stages in entertainment, the BET Awards. He wasn’t there to perform. He was there to represent a film that had just made history. What happened next turned into one of the night’s most talked-about moments. Because before he could even speak, his own co-star said something that stopped the room.
It all started with understanding what acting is and and really then diving into all the little nuances of Michael and I really want to separate me as a family member to really learn everything I can about Michael Jackson as if I’ve never heard his music before. So I listened to every album starting from the Jackson 5 all the way to a solo career.
I watched the same things he would watch and just consumed everything and immersed everything I can to to become like second nature when I arrived on set. So I prepped in that in that way just to be confident in myself. So when I got on set, I just can go in any direction. Jaafar took the stage alongside Nia Long, who plays Katherine Jackson in the film.
They were there to present the award for best male R&ampB and pop artist. But before announcing a winner, Nia turned to Jaafar directly live in front of the entire room. What she said next was personal, unscripted, and instantly went viral. Portraying Katherine Jackson reminded me that grace is quiet and still. And tonight we honor that.
Jaafar, it was a joy watching you transform into your uncle right before our eyes. Nia told him on stage that it was an honor watching him transform into his uncle right before her eyes. She said portraying Katherine Jackson taught her that grace is quiet and still, and that tonight they were honoring exactly that. That single line landed as one of the most quietly emotional moments of the entire night.
Big thanks cuz now you’re playing Katherine Jackson in the Jackson Michael Jackson movie. Can you tell us anything cuz we can’t wait for this biopic? Uh, I just want to say that God is so good to me. Yes. [applause] Because you never know what is for you until it lands. And if you focus less on the outcomes and more on the journey, you will land within your divine purpose.
That’s just the way that it is. [applause] But Nia’s connection to this story goes deeper than most people realize. In a separate interview with people, she revealed she had actually met Michael Jackson in real life long before she ever stepped onto this film set. That history made watching Jaafar perform an entirely different experience for her.
Watch the film for the first time, I learned things about Michael that I didn’t know. I didn’t know that he meditated and practiced manifestation and he had a real sense of spirituality and self, right? And so, I think for me it’s the quiet moments that I identified with as a person, not even as an actor, but just as a human being.
She admitted she was almost afraid to say anything on set, worried she’d throw off her fellow actor mid-scene. But internally, she said she was completely blown away watching him become his uncle in real time. And what she called Jaafar afterward revealed just how close that bond had become. To hear about your experience filming the Michael biopic.
I want to know, how did you get the role? How was it working with Colman Domingo? And also, does Jaafar do a great job playing Michael? I mean, that is a loaded question. First of all, I love Antoine Fuqua. He has just taken this project to a place that is magical and wonderful and Jaafar is incredibly talented and beautiful and Colman Domingo is probably one of my favorite human beings on the planet.
She called him my baby for life, adding, only half joking, that he had another mother now whether he liked it or not. It wasn’t just a co-star’s compliment. It sounded like family. And that family moment happened on a night that turned out to be historic for an entirely different reason. You don’t want to say anything cuz you don’t want to throw off your fellow actor, but I’m like blown away, so that’s my baby for life.
He He has another mama whether he likes it or not. I love [laughter] it. That same night, Variety confirmed that Michael had officially become the highest-grossing biographical film of all time, surpassing even Oppenheimer at the global box office. A staggering $977 million worldwide. Jaafar addressed that record himself in a message that revealed exactly who he was really thinking about.
All right. I see who I got to my left, Jaafar Jackson, of course, and the beautiful Nia Long. If I can I can I just say this first of all? Just congratulations. The biggest biopic ever. Ever. Ever. Ever. When you guys started seeing the numbers crossing over to that billion mark, just how does it feel to have such an impact on such a big big movie and get all of that success right now? I’m just happy for Michael.
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You know, Michael has influenced almost everyone in this room at some point. On Instagram, Jaafar posted rare behind-the-scenes photos and wrote that this had been a dream goal for the film. He said he believed Michael himself was up there grinning about the achievement. He added simply, “This one’s for him.
” Before any of those numbers came in, though, Jaafar had already told the crowd at the awards exactly how he felt. Uh I’m filled with so much emotion and joy. And most importantly, I just hope my uncle Michael is smiling from up above. Standing at the Peacock Theatre, Jaafar told the audience directly that the love they’d shown the film meant everything.
That packed theatres and overwhelming support meant the world, not just to him, but to the entire Jackson family. Online, fans reacted to that moment almost instantly. So grateful for the love you all showed to our movie. You guys had the theatres packed. I’m truly so humbled. Your support means the world to the Jackson family.
Portraying Katherine Jackson reminded me that grace is quiet and still. And tonight we honor that. Jaafar, it was a joy watching you transform into your uncle right before our eyes. And in One Instagram comment under the clip said they were already waiting to see Jaafar at the Oscars.
Another said they couldn’t wait to see him and Nia Long together again in a potential sequel. And that sequel talk isn’t just fan speculation. It’s something the filmmakers have already hinted at. It’s just the beginning. So, what will we see in the next phase of this? Oh, I’m excited to see. There’s so much to tell Michael’s story.
You can’t fit all into one movie. It’s possible It’s I think impossible to tell in 2 hours. So, I’m I’m definitely looking forward to to seeing uh what will come about in that way. And and it’s definitely in the making. Is that already done or you making it now? What What is the latest on It’s in the early development right now.
Oh, okay. Yeah. So, you’re ready. You still have to stay in Michael mode. Yeah, that’s right. I do. In one night, on one stage, Jaafar Jackson received a public tribute from his co-star, watched his film break a box office record decades in the making, and reminded an entire room exactly why this story mattered to him in the first place.
If this story moved you, subscribe because some legacies refuse to stay untold. So grateful for the love you all showed to our movie. You guys had the theaters packed. I’m truly so humbled. Your support means the world to the Jackson family. Portraying Katherine Jackson reminded me that grace is quiet and still. And tonight we honor that.
Jaafar, it was a joy watching you transform into your uncle right before our eyes.
Disclaimer : This content may be created by AI for entertainment purposes. Any resemblance to real persons, events, or places is coincidental.
