The public gets to watch this movie—they’ll decide for themselves, says Tito’s son Taj on social media

The Michael Jackson biopic “Michael” is set to open in theaters on Friday, April 24, 2026, and members of the Jackson family are already defending the film against early criticism from media outlets.

Taj Jackson, son of Tito Jackson and Michael Jackson’s nephew, took to social media to push back against negative reviews, stating that the public should be allowed to form their own opinions about the portrayal of the late singer.

“Sorry media, u don’t get to control the narrative anymore of who Michael Jackson truly was,” Taj wrote in a tweet thread on Tuesday. “The public gets to watch this movie…they will decide for themselves. And you can’t handle that. Can’t wait till some critics have to eat crow. And yes I will be that petty.”

His brother, TJ Jackson, also voiced support for the film, saying he would not miss the opportunity to see it in theaters.

“I’m going to the theater in a few hours to see a movie I’ve seen several times. Why? Because I’m proud,” TJ Jackson wrote in his own post. “I wouldn’t miss this opportunity to be masked in the electrifying energy that will be in that theater for nothing. My uncle deserves this, my cousin earned this and his loyal supporters are owed this. The world will be reminded or learn who MJ truly was and I can’t wait! #michaelmovie.”

The film stars Jaafar Jackson, son of Jermaine Jackson, in the lead role as his uncle Michael Jackson. Directed by Antoine Fuqua and produced in part by Michael Jackson’s estate, the biopic covers the King of Pop’s life from his early years as a member of the Jackson 5 through to the peak of his popularity around 1988, during the tour behind the album “Bad.”

Originally, the film was intended to extend beyond 1988 to include the 1993 allegations of child molestation against Michael Jackson and the subsequent investigation. However, lawyers from the Jackson Estate determined that a settlement with one accuser legally prevented any depiction or mention of those events in the film, requiring a complete rewrite of the third act.

This discovery led to 22 days of reshoots at an estimated cost of $15–20 million, delaying the film’s final production stages.

Critics have criticized the movie for omitting Jackson’s controversies and failing to address the sexual abuse allegations that surrounded him later in life, describing it as a hagiography that avoids difficult truths.

Despite the backlash, the Jackson family members involved in promoting the film maintain that Jaafar Jackson’s performance captures their uncle’s essence and that the movie honors his legacy as they see it.

TJ Jackson added in another post: “I am excited for the world to see it. My uncle’s essence is captured and Jaafar is ??…”

The family’s unified message emphasizes that audiences should experience the film firsthand and judge it for themselves, rather than relying on critical consensus ahead of its release.