Jaafar Jackson is stepping into the spotlight as he prepares for the release of Michael at the end of the month. In his very first television interview, the rising star appeared on Today with Jenna Bush Hager and guest co-host Willie Geist to talk about portraying the King of Pop.
Taking on the role of Michael Jackson is no small task, and Jaafar made it clear he understood the weight of the responsibility. He shared how important it was for him to prove, both to himself and to his family, that he could truly embody his legendary uncle on screen.
“I really had to earn and really prove to the filmmakers and myself and my family that I can pull it off,” he said.
Jaafar also opened up about recreating iconic moments, including filming the legendary Thriller music video sequence at its original location. The experience, he revealed, was both surreal and deeply meaningful.
One of the most touching moments came from his grandmother’s reaction to his performance. Her praise, he said, meant everything to him: “That’s definitely the highest compliment that I could get and means the most to me.”
With anticipation building around “Michael,” this first interview offers fans an early glimpse into the dedication and passion Jaafar Jackson is bringing to the role.
Watch the full interview below.