Joe Jackson was known for being driven and relentless as he prepared his children for stardom.
But Colman Domingo, who portrays the Jackson family patriarch in the upcoming Lionsgate film Michael, believes Jackson was misunderstood.
Domingo and his co-stars Nia Long and Jaafar Jackson sat down with Essence magazine for a cover story spotlighting the film.
The Emmy-winning actor said the late Joe Jackson has been unfairly painted as a “villain” in the media.
“The court of public opinion would think of Joe as a villain for whatever reasons,” Domingo said. “But when I go through the lens of Joe, through his heart, and through his eyes, I see that he was doing all that he could to make sure that his family was successful, whole, happy and really operated as a unit.”
Related: ‘Michael’ Trailer Hints at Michael Jackson’s Struggles With Dad Joe Jackson
Joe and wife Katherine had 10 children together. He managed the children to become entertainers and international stars.
The Jackson 5 was made up of the couple’s sons — Michael, Jermaine, Marlon, Tito and Jackie.
Once the group signed with Motown Records in 1969, Joe took his family from poverty in Gary, Indiana to fame and fortune in Hollywood.
Over the years, he has been described as a selfish disciplinarian who forced his kids to endure grueling practice sessions. He was also alleged to have been an abusive parent who profited off his children.
Domingo said the situation was more complex, and described Jackson as “an old-school guy, a blue-collar man who wanted the best for his children—the very best.”
Jaafar, who is the son of Jermaine Jackson, plays his legendary uncle Michael Jackson in Michael and Long portrays Katherine Jackson.
According to the official description, “The film tells the story of Michael Jackson’s life beyond the music, tracing his journey from the discovery of his extraordinary talent as the lead of the Jackson Five, to the visionary artist whose creative ambition fueled a relentless pursuit to become the biggest entertainer in the world.”
The authorized biopic is produced by Graham King, along with John Branca and John McClain, co-executors of Michael Jackson’s estate. Antoine Fuqua directs from a script written by John Logan.
Michael is scheduled to arrive in theaters on April 24, 2026.
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