Jackson Nephews Push Back on Critics Over 'Michael' Biopic

The Michael Jackson biopic Michael hit theaters this week. Before it even opened, critics had already sharpened their knives. The family pushed right back.

TJ and Taj Jackson, both sons of the late Tito Jackson and members of the music group 3T, took to social media on Tuesday and Wednesday to publicly support the film ahead of its theatrical release. Their posts were direct. They were personal. And they made clear this isn't just a movie to them — it's a defense of their uncle's name.

The Posts That Said It All

Taj didn't hold back. "Sorry media, u don't get to control the narrative anymore of who Michael Jackson truly was. The public gets to watch this movie…they will decide for themselves. And you can't handle that," he wrote on X on Tuesday, April 21.

And he wasn't done. In a follow-up post, he added: "Can't wait till some critics have to eat crow."

TJ matched his brother's energy. "I'm going to the theater in a few hours to see a movie I've seen several times. Why? Because I'm proud," TJ, 47, wrote in a post on X. "I wouldn't miss this opportunity to be masked in the electrifying energy that will be in that theater for nothing. My uncle deserves this, my cousin earned this and his loyal supporters are owed this. The world will be reminded or learn who MJ truly was and I can't wait!"

That's not just a fan talking. That's family. And it reads like a statement, not a caption.

What's Actually Fueling the Backlash

The frustration from critics is understandable, even if the family disagrees with it. Critics have blasted the film for skipping Jackson's controversies and failing to address the many sexual abuse allegations against Jackson, and ending the timeline of the film in 1988.

This wasn't an accidental omission either. After a clause was discovered in a legal settlement, references to the 1993 child sexual abuse allegations against Jackson were removed, the third act was revised, and reshoots took place in June 2025. Variety reported that the reshoots added $10–15 million to the budget, funded by the Jackson estate.

On Rotten Tomatoes, just 36% of 122 critics' reviews are positive. Critics praised Jaafar Jackson's performance but criticized the storytelling as sanitized. That's a sharp divide. The performance lands. The film, as a whole story, does not — at least not for most reviewers.

A Family Affair, Not a Hollywood Project

This film is deeply personal for the Jacksons, and that context matters. The film stars Jaafar Jackson, Jermaine Jackson's son, as his uncle. This is Jaafar's film debut. He isn't a hired actor playing a legend. He grew up with Michael Jackson as a literal part of his family.

On the red carpet, Jaafar told PEOPLE, "I knew to make my family proud, I knew I would have to have a work ethic that was incredible and really take on everything the way Michael would take it on." That kind of accountability is hard to fake.

TJ praised Colman Domingo's portrayal of Joe Jackson as "incredibly good" and stated that he believes his "uncle's essence is captured" by Jaafar's performance. High praise — and clearly sincere.

Not Every Jackson Is on Board

It's worth noting that the family support isn't unanimous. Janet Jackson, 59, declined to be portrayed in the movie, and Michael's daughter Paris, 28, said back in September 2025 that she "wasn't involved at all" with the project.

Paris previously heavily criticized the biopic, directed by Antoine Fuqua, for having "a lot of inaccuracies" and "full-blown lies." That's not a small thing to dismiss. Paris knew her father. Her skepticism carries weight, even if Taj and TJ see things differently.

La Toya Jackson recently revealed the reason Janet doesn't appear in the film — "she was asked and she kindly declined so you have to respect her wishes."

The Bigger Question Nobody Wants to Ask

Here's what's actually at stake. Michael, the Antoine Fuqua-directed and estate-approved film, chronicles the King of Pop's rise to stardom — and only that. Critics argue the result is a film that doesn't fully explore who Michael Jackson was.

The nephews believe the opposite. They think critics are projecting a narrative, not evaluating a film. There's something honest about that disagreement. Both sides feel real. Both sides have reasons.

The film's release was delayed by a year, with the Jackson estate reportedly funding up to $15 million to have scenes cut and parts of the film reshot, according to Variety. That kind of financial involvement raises fair questions about creative independence. An estate-funded film will always carry a certain version of its subject.

But the broader truth? Fans will see this movie regardless. As of April 21, Michael had already grossed $31 million worldwide, with an opening weekend estimate of $60 million in the US and Canada — a potential record for a musical biographical film.

Critics can pan it. The family can defend it. Audiences will decide what it's worth.