Janet Jackson’s 'Michael' Biopic Absence Revives Old Family Wounds

Janet Jackson reportedly chose to distance herself from the Michael Jackson biopic, resulting in many wondering about why she chose to do so.

Many have also recalled a past interview the singer had where she described the relationship she had with Michael and the emotional toll that came with living inside the Jackson family spotlight.

Rob Shuter reported that Janet attended an early private screening of "Michael" months ago but was unhappy with what she saw.

Insiders said that she felt parts of the movie were "inaccurate, overly sanitized, and emotionally manipulative." However, the claims were not confirmed by another source.

But, Janet has been absent from any further public viewings of the movie, and she isn't mentioned or seen in it.

Earlier this year, director Antoine Fuqua said that the singer did not want to be part of the movie at all. Janet does not appear as a character even though she plays such an important role in the Jackson family story.

“I wish everybody was in the movie,” Janet’s sister LaToya Jackson said at the premiere. “She was asked and she kindly declined so you have to respect her wishes.”

Janet isn't the only sibling to have declined being in the film. Rebbie and Randy Jackson — who was the youngest member of the Jackson 5 — also chose not to be a part of the biopic.

As people speculate about Janet's decision around Michael, her past comments about Michael Jackson's fame and how it affected her have resurfaced.

She spoke candidly about the shift in her relationship with Michael in her 2022 documentary series Janet Jackson. The signer said it came after his legendary 1982 album Thriller.

“I remember really loving the ‘Thriller’ album, but for the first time that’s when I felt it was different between the two of us, that a shift was happening,” Janet said in the documentary.

“That’s the time Mike and I started going our separate ways. He just wasn’t as fun as he used to be.”

She also shared painful childhood memories, and recalled how Michael sometimes teased her about her appearance.

“There were times when Mike used to tease me and call me names. ‘Pig, horse, slaughter hog, cow,’” Janet said. “He would laugh about it and I’d laugh too, but then there was somewhere down inside that it would hurt.”

Janet also said that when Michael’s legal troubles in the 1990s began, it also affected her own career.

“When that came out, Coca-Cola said, ‘No, thank you,’” she said, and shared that the company had canceled an endorsement deal after the allegations against Michael. “Guilty by association. That’s what they call it, right?”

Michael's daughter, Paris Jackson has also spoken out about the film. She said that the movie had "a lot of inaccuracies" and “a lot of full blown lies.”

“The film panders to a very specific section of my dad’s fandom that still lives in the fantasy,” Paris said.

Fuqua stated that the family’s involvement was important to the making of the movie. “You’re telling somebody’s life, you want to make sure that they’re happy,” the director said.

Even though Janet allegedly objected to some aspects of the film, insiders told Shuter that she still supports Jaafar’s role in the movie.

Her issue was never Jaafar,” one source claimed. “Her issue was the movie itself.”

Janet's friends say that she doesn't want to reopen old emotional wounds connected to Michael’s complicated legacy. There have been years of intense attention surrounding the Jackson family, and she's had enough of that.

“She’s spent years protecting her peace,” one insider said. “Janet simply did not want to become part of another Jackson family media storm.”