Jaafar Jackson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jaafar Jackson
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Jackson in 2020
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Jaafar Jeremiah Jackson
July 25, 1996 Los Angeles, California, U.S.
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| Years active | 2015–present |
| Partner(s) | Maddie Simpson (2016–present; engaged) |
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| Family | Jackson |
Jaafar Jeremiah Jackson (JƏ-fahr), born on July 25, 1996, is an American actor and singer. He is a member of the famous Jackson family. In 2019, he released his first song, "Got Me Singing." He also played his famous uncle, Michael Jackson, in the movie Michael, which came out in 2026.
Contents
Jaafar Jackson: A Rising Star
Early Life and Family Roots
Jaafar Jackson was born in Los Angeles, California, on July 25, 1996. His father is Jermaine Jackson, a member of the legendary Jackson family. His mother is Alejandra Genevieve Oaziaza, who was born in Bogotá, Colombia. Jaafar has many brothers and sisters, making his family quite large! He has both African-American and Colombian heritage.
Music and Early Career
In 2015, Jaafar appeared in his family's reality show, Living with the Jacksons. He enjoys singing songs by famous artists like Sam Cooke and Marvin Gaye. In 2019, he released his very first song, "Got Me Singing." He had plans for an album called Famous, but it wasn't released because he decided to focus more on acting. a He also took part in other projects about the Jackson family, like The Jacksons: Next Generation. He even appeared in a music video for his uncle Tito Jackson's 2021 song "Love One Another." People noticed his talent as a singer and dancer on social media.
Playing Michael Jackson
After a long search, it was announced in December 2023 that Jaafar would play his uncle Michael Jackson in a movie called Michael. Antoine Fuqua directed the film, which was released by Lionsgate and Universal Pictures.
Jaafar's grandmother, Katherine Jackson (who is Michael Jackson's mother), was very happy about this choice. She felt he truly captured her son's spirit. Jaafar shared on Instagram that he felt "humbled and honored" to get the part.
Filming started in Los Angeles on November 27, 2023. The movie Michael was released in April 2026. It had a huge opening, earning $217 million, which was the biggest debut ever for a movie about a real person. Even though some people had different opinions about the film, many critics praised Jaafar's acting. By June 2026, the movie had earned $977 million around the world, making it the highest-grossing biopic ever!
His Life Outside of Work
Jaafar has a younger brother named Jermajesty. He also has other half-siblings. Interestingly, one of his older half-brothers, Jermaine LaJaune "Jay" Jackson Jr., played their father in a 1992 TV series about the Jackson family called The Jacksons: An American Dream. Jaafar says his musical family inspires him, along with legendary singers like Frank Sinatra and Stevie Wonder.
Jaafar has been with Maddie Simpson since 2016, and they got engaged in 2024.
He grew up in a Muslim family. In 2020, he traveled to Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah, which is an important spiritual journey for Muslims. He shared pictures and videos from his trip online.
In April 2026, Jaafar was honored in Gary, Indiana, during a special event for the Michael movie. The mayor, Eddie Melton, gave him the key to the city.
Movies and TV Shows
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Michael | Michael Jackson | Debut film |
His Music
Singles Released
| Year | Title |
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| 2019 | "Got Me Singing" |
| 2020 | "Confused" |
Music Videos
| Year | Song | Performer(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | "Got Me Singing" | Himself | |
| 2021 | "Love One Another" | Tito Jackson | Guest appearance |
