The Original Manhattanite : Michael the King of Pop his story comes to theaters this spring, April 2026

Michael in theaters April 24, 2026-Friday

The name Michael is Hebrew for “Who is Like God?” How many of you consider Michael Jackson to be a music god? Do we think Michael Jackson was like God. Did he have characteristics, powerful traits, and abilities that were similar to God and what he can do as a recording artist? What he created on Earth as a human, and even in his life story. Are there themes of God in the 50 years he lived and was with us. Everyone on earth has a Michael story. I have come across a lot of Michaels in my lifetime. I have gone to school with them, I went to work with them, I am even related to a couple of Michaels, and I was a stepdaughter of a Michael too. My stepfather, "Michael B" just happened to come into my life when I was a little girl I was 10 years old when I met this particular Michael. He also happened to work with the King of Pop, Yes that King of Pop. He was part of his team for previous albums on Sony and for the “Invincible” project. I remember because he bought the cd home and allowed me to listen to it too. He worked in marketing/promotions and A&R for Sony/Epic Records during this time frame (1994- early 2000s). He is still a music executive to this day.

I learned about Michael, “The King of Pop” at a very tender age I was about 3 years old when I discovered Michael. I was at my mother’s friend, Michelle Rollison’s house when I first learned about the great, Michael Joseph Jackson. This was probably 1989 or 1990 I was downstairs in the basement of her house and I think I came across the “Thriller” album was sitting in her basement on the floor in Queens. I believe she played some songs and music for me when I was a little girl. I think the next time I came across Michael again was when I was a year older and Michelle’s son introduced me to the making of the Thriller video on the VHS videotape. I was terrified of the video I think I was pretty scared of it and scared of him. That fear of him was temporary. Fast forward during my childhood my parents and my stepfather are both extremely big fans. So MJ was here to stay there was no way I was going to be able to let him go and that piece of my life. I think I fell in love with his lyrics, his dance moves, and his connections to his fans. I would see people in the audience passing out in some of the videos I would watch or clips I would see on television. The medical professionals would be rushing and putting everyone on the gurneys and taking them backstage.

My father would record some of his concerts and we would watch them at home. For me were also his music videos, and then came Janet. I discovered Janet Jackson his baby sister I was about 4 years old, we had her tapes in the house. I would see her music videos featured on BET, MTV, and VH-1 along the way. So Janet has a very special place in my heart and we love her as well. Now back to Michael when it comes to him people have such high admiration of his music, his capabilities, and how he transformed entire generation of music as a whole. Not just with his performance, his musicality, his ear, his videos, costumes, and still continues to influence so many different people. Even his family to this day.

Michael is a chosen one….What is a chosen one? "A Chosen One" is a being or beings chosen by God to change the world and shake up the entire trajectory of the universe. According to Google and AI by definition this is the official definition. A chosen one is a person or people singled out by the divine for a special purpose, destiny, often involving a spiritual mission, leadership, or unique relationship with God. Often at times being chosen by God you do experience some discomfort and challenges along the way. You’re still human and you will have a lot of emotional, mental, or spiritual challenges in life. Yet you are selected on a mission to impact human life and the universe itself. Michael fans would probably notice this…did you ever pay attention to when he would often put his arms out during a performance similar to Jesus Christ on the cross. It was a powerful symbol for people when they would see him do that. Almost as if the divine himself was saying he has a special message for all of you in his songs, lyrics, and even his life story. His birth, his life, his passing, and legacy transformed lives of people including his entire family the Jacksons. If anyone remembers in 1992 there was a film about the story of Joseph Jackson Sr. and Katherine Scruse later Jackson called “The American Dream”.

One of my favorite memories he would do the stare look during a live concert performance where he would take off his sunglasses and stare into the audience. The crowd would go wild and scream. A lot of the R&B, Pop stars who came after Michael or during his time would go on to emulate his style, his showmanship, and his performance abilities. My second favorite memory has to be when my mother took me to see the Jacksons 30th Anniversary concert. It was summer 2001 and an entire line-up of superstars were there. I was about 14 when my mother and I went to Madison Square Garden (aka “MSG”) in New York City to see him perform. One of the highlights I will never forget. We were high up but behind the stage we were able to see artist leaving the stage, performing, and the audience reactions too. That performance there was electricity charged up from the audience. Everyone knew the lyrics, dance moves, they were just in awe, and ecstatic about R&B/Motown royalty taking the stage. Michael, the Jacksons, and their incredible parents their story will continue to be an inspiration to all of us about first pay attention to your children. You never know when your child has a special gift, vision, ability, or say something that may change their entire life and lead to a career. Believe in family, believe in vision, believe in the American Dream, and your talents can transform someone’s life as well.

Michael the musical film is starring Michael’s nephew, Jaafar Jackson, Jermaine Jackson is Jaafar’s father. Jermaine is Joe and Katherine Jackson’s third eldest/middle son. The Jacksons had 6 boys: (Jackie, 71, Tito, 70 he passed 2 years ago (10/15/1953- 9/15/2024),Marlon, 69, Randy, 64) and 3 girls: Rebbie, 74, La Toya, 69, and Janet, 59 fun fact Jackie was born the same day as his mother, and the girls were born in the month of May like their mother Katherine . Jermaine later had seven children from two previous marriages. Jaafar Jeremiah Jackson (born July 25, 1996) is a singer, dancer, and now has transferred over into acting. This will be his debut film and he will kick it off by honoring the life and legacy of his uncle. He even says in his Instagram page he is honored and humbled to bring his Uncle Michael’s story to life and he will see all of the fans all over the world he will see everyone soon. I really hope that the entire Jackson squad will be there to watch at the premiere. It is only fitting to have every Jackson, close friends, producers, writers, and of course the entire cast and crew there.

The cast of "Michael"(2026)

Jaafar Jeremiah Jackson plays his uncle and he cast as the older, Michael in the musical/biopic, "Michael"

To honor Michael’s story and Jaafar’s incredible performance in this film. The cast also includes 1. Jaafar Jackson as the teen/adult Michael Jackson 2. Juliano Krue Valdi-Young Michael Jackson 3. Miles Teler-John Branca, the co-executor of the estate of Michael Jackson and the chairman of the Michael Jackson Company. 4. Colman Domingo-Joseph “Joe” Jackson 5. Nia Long- Katherine Scruse/Katherine Jackson 6. Lauren Harrier-Suzanne de Passe 7. Derek Luke- Johnnie Cochran, entertainment, sports, and civil rights attorney 8. Larenz Tate-Berry Gordy CEO/Founder of Motown 9. Kendrick Sampson-Quincy Jones 10. Jessica Sula-La Toya Jackson 11. Nathaniel Logan McIntyre as Young Jackie Jackson 12. Joseph David-Jones as the older Jackie Jackson 13. Rhyan Hill-Tito Jackson 14. Tre’ Horton-Marlon Jackson 15. Jaylen Lyndon Hunter-Young Marlon Jackson 16. Jamal Henderson-Jermaine Jackson 17. Jayden Harville-Young Jermaine Jackson 18. Ben Kera-John Lennon 19. Kat Graham-Diana Ross 20. Kevin Shinick-Dick Clark 21. Liv Symone-Gladys Knight 22. Jason Pfister-Halston 23. Allan Wayne Anderson-Andy Warhol 24. Keilyn Durrel Jones-Bill Bray 25. Joe Gillette-Steve Rubell 26. Effie Spencer-Liza Minnelli 27. Cobe Anderson-Young Taryll Jackson 28. George Hammonds the Third-Young Taj Jackson .

I hope all of you will see this film and the younger generation will learn about the true story of “The King of Pop” how he became this person, it’s not given to you, you’re made into it, you’re built into it, and you find it within yourself too. For a chosen one you’re blessed to find your purpose early in life. It takes an entire village, a journey of people to get you where you need to be. I hope all of you will remember, go down memory lane, if you are an older fan of the Jacksons, Michael as he became older, or just a music lover in general. I hope the younger kids will open their minds sonically to the instruments, the lyrics, the power of his songs, not just the beat or rhythm, his dance moves, but really hear the message he conveyed to all of us. One thing about Michael the same way how we emulate, love his dance moves, and copy them. We forget that our heroes had heroes themselves. Michael’s musical influences played a big part and contributions from R&B artist, Jackie Wilson, the godfather of soul, James Brown,Elvis Presley (he also married, Elvis's daughter in the nineties, Lisa Marie Presley), and also had influences of Frank Sinatra, and even his label mates on Motown, CBS, and Sony label mates too.

So you will see the influences in his music videos, performances, and songs. His legacy continues on through his 3 children: Michael Jr, Paris, and “Blanket”. Of course his family, through Broadway productions “MJ the Musical”, “Cirque de Soleil” in Las Vegas, NV, “Motown”, many unauthorized books, his music videos, and other projects, and his YouTube channels too. I am so honored in this lifetime I got a chance to listen and see this “Michael”-Michael Joseph Jackson the King of Pop (August 29, 1958-June 25, 2009) perform and his story he lives on through all of us. One thing I will say that still resonates with me when Michael left and transitioned back to heaven I will say this that month it rained all month long. All month long I am not exaggerating we didn’t see any sunshine until the very end of the month. I think even the universe knew that someone chosen was being called home. So on that note again have fun, soak in his story, the cast’s performances, and take away everything that he left for us which is music gold. I hope all of you go see the film on April 24, 2026 Friday. Visit http://www.michael.movie , www.lionsgatepublicity.com, and www.michaeljackson.com for more information on his life, the film, and more. One more thing universe thanks....I am so happy this movie trailer came out on my birthday last year November 6th. I was home when I saw it and had to show my mother right away. Cannot wait best birthday present ever. I had to include a few photos from attending the MJ's 40th anniversary of Thriller too.

This one memory will never forget Fall 2022 at the Thriller 40th anniversary exhibit I hope they bring it back with all of his memorabilia. It was ice cold that day in NYC we were freezing but we love MJ!