It was a celebrity studded night in Los Angeles as Lionsgate Studio hosted the premiere of the “Michael” biopic celebrating the King of Pop’s legacy. Actors from the movie Jaafar Jackson, Nia Long, Juliano Valdi, Colman Domingo and Larenz Tate alongside director Antoine Fuqua were some of the celebrities who walked down a black glitter carpet.
Also in attendance at the premiere, which was held at the TCL Chinese Theater, a historic landmark on Hollywood Boulevard, was co-producer Graham King, Marlon Jackson, Jackie Jackson, Jermaine Jackson, La Toya Jackson and Prince Jackson.
Bill Bellamy hosted interviews for MTV on the carpet which drew a star-studded carpet of attendees including Usher, Martin Lawrence, Tyrese Gibson, Ron Isley, Magic Johnson, Jimmy Jam, Chance the Rapper, Mario, Wale, Vivica A. Fox, Raven Symone and Bobby Brown.
“Michael’s legacy is important to keep alive,” said director Antoine Fuqua, who talked to the press about directing the movie. “I wasn’t thinking about directing a Michael movie, but I am excited that Graham King called me. Any great artist like that who has given us so much we should try and learn a little more about them.”
For Colman Domingo, who plays Jackson’s father Joe, it was an incredible challenge and honor.
“I knew I had the opportunity to give even more complexity and humanity to a character that people will look at with nuance. To examine Joe Jackson’s character from his roots in the South to being a father and working in the steel mill and giving him a sense of purpose.”
Larenz Tate, who plays the iconic music producer, Berry Gordy, who made a big impact on Michael’s life, also talked about playing such an iconic character.
“Those were some big shoes to fill, and I am grateful to Antoine Fuqua for allowing me to find the character and do my thing. This is one of those movies you want to be in, and I am just happy the opportunity came. Berry was able to see something in Michael early on.”
Kendrick Sampson, who plays record producer and composer, Quincy Jones shared how transformative the role was. “I know that Quincy and Michael were both going through a similar journey of finding their own independence and new genres as nobody knew that Thriller or Off the Wall were going to be that transformative and a huge culture shift.”
For producer Graham King, it was a dream to cast the movie.
“What Michael did, so brilliantly, was bring people together through his music.”
Following the screening, there was a lot of cheering and singing in the theater to Michael’s music.
The film tells the story of Michael Jackson’s life, tracing his journey from the discovery of his extraordinary talent as the lead of the Jackson Five, to becoming the King of Pop. Highlighting both his life off-stage and some of the most iconic performances from his early solo career, the film gives audiences a front-row seat to Michael Jackson as never before and releases in theaters April 24.
Samantha Ofole-Prince is a journalist and movie critic who covers industry-specific news that includes television and film. She serves as the Entertainment Editor for Trendy Africa. Photos by Getty Images for Lionsgate
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