Why Is Janet Jackson Missing From the ‘Michael’ Biopic? The Reason She Was Left Out

The Michael Jackson biopic Michael debuted in theaters this weekend. The musical film traces the King of Pop’s life, from his early rise to fame with the Jackson 5 to his famed global solo career. However, many moviegoers have noticed that his sister, Janet Jackson, is not depicted in the film at all and are wondering why.

Directed by Antoine Fuqua from a screenplay by John Logan, Michael’s nephew, 29-year-old Jaafar Jackson (the son of Michael’s older brother Jermaine Jackson) stars in the title role. The film depicts numerous members of Michael Jackson’s family; Colman Domingo plays Joe Jackson and Nia Long portrays Katherine Jackson, while Jessica Sula appears as La Toya Jackson.

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Younger versions of Michael and his brothers are also featured, including Juliano Krue Valdi as young Michael, Jayden Harville and Jamal R. Henderson as Jermaine Jackson, and Jaylen Lyndon Hunter and Tre Horton as Marlon Jackson.

Michael’s sister, Janet, is a major star in her own right. She rose to fame in the 1980s with roles on television shows like Good Times and Diff’rent Strokes before launching a music career with albums like Control (1986) and Rhythm Nation 1814 (1989). She’s one of the best-selling artists of all time, but she does not appear in Michael and is missing from the biopic altogether.

Why Isn’t Janet Jackson In Michael?

According to one of Janet’s siblings, the “That’s the Way Love Goes” singer’s omission from the film was intentional.

“I wish everybody was in the movie,” fellow Jackson sibling LaToya Jackson told Variety during the film’s premiere at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. “She was asked and she kindly declined so you have to respect her wishes.”

At the premiere, Fuqua also referenced Janet’s absence. “I have so much respect and love for Janet, but you know it’s OK. She’s supportive of Jaafar and that’s what matters,” he said.

A March report from Page Six painted a different picture. According to the outlet, drama allegedly unfolded at a private family screening of the film. One person who was reportedly there claimed that Janet “had something negative about almost every scene,” citing the acting, makeup and even how the actors spoke and walked, and said she appeared to decide “against the room” that the movie would not meet her approval.

In response to Page Six’s report, La Toya told Entertainment Tonight, “There was absolutely no problem whatsoever, none whatsoever. Please believe it.”

On the red carpet, Fuqua also said he has “so much respect and love for Janet,” telling Variety she was “supportive of Jaafar, and that’s what matters.”

Michael’s estate has a financial stake in the film. Forbes reported that the Jackson estate is a co-investor and “could be on the hook for millions if it doesn’t break even, but as an equity partner is also in a position to earn more if Michael turns into a Bohemian Rhapsody sized blockbuster.” The estate also earned $10 million upfront for co-producing and licensing the music.

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Michael’s Daughter, Paris Jackson, Has Spoken Out Against The Biopic

Michael’s eldest son, Prince Jackson, serves as an executive producer on the project, but his other two children, Bigi and Paris Jackson, are not involved. Paris has spoken out publicly against the film multiple times on social media.

“I read one of the first drafts of the script and gave my notes about what was dishonest / didn’t sit right with me and when they didn’t address it I moved on with my life. Not my monkeys not my circus. God bless and god speed,” she wrote on her Instagram Story in August 2025, according to E! News.

In another post the following month, the 28-year-old wrote, “They’re gonna make whatever they’re gonna make. The big reason why I haven’t said anything up until this point is because I know a lot of you guys are gonna be happy with it” because it “panders to a very specific section of my dad’s fandom that still lives in a fantasy.”

She also alleged that “The narrative is being controlled. There’s a lot of inaccuracy and there’s a lot of full-blown lies. At the end of the day, that doesn’t really fly with me. I don’t really like dishonesty.”

Paris also declined accusations that she “hates her dad…because I’m not, like, calling the shots on set being a big-shot producer of a movie that’s filled with just inaccuracies. That’s not my truth…I just prefer honesty over sales and monetary gain.”

Michael is now in theaters. Check out the official trailer below.