Colman Domingo has spoken out against allegations of whitewashing in his anticipated biopic, Michael. The actor, playwright, and director’s statement comes amid intensifying online discourse around the highly anticipated project. Both fans and critics have been weighing in as early details continue to emerge.
Michael star Colman Domingo on accusations that film ignores controversial past
Colman Domingo has confronted criticism that his upcoming film, Michael, overlooks complex and controversial elements of Michael Jackson’s legacy.
The eagerly awaited biopic has come under fire for excluding the singer-dancer’s sexual abuse allegations. Domingo, who portrays Joe Jackson opposite Nia Long’s Katherine, joined his co-star to address the backlash during an appearance on Today.
The first public sexual abuse allegation against MJ came in 1993, when Evan Chandler accused him of abusing his 13-year-old son, Jordan. The investigation ended a year later after a settlement, and a grand jury declined to indict Jackson.
During the interview, co-host Craig Melvin observed that the film’s timeline ends in 1988, predating the first sexual abuse allegations against Jackson by four years. Turning to Domingo and Long, the co-host asked what they would say to those who believe the film whitewashes that aspect of Jackson’s legacy.
Echoing what Melvin highlighted, Domingo noted that the film’s timeline predates the first allegations by several years. He explained that the story centers on the making of Michael and serves as an intimate portrait of who he was.
The Euphoria actor further added, “Through his eyes, truly. That’s what it is. That’s what this film is, and there’s the possibility of there being a part two that may deal with other things that may happen afterwards. This is about the making of Michael, how he was raised, and how he was trying to find his voice as an artist.”
Nia Long also joined the discussion, telling Melvin that the film omitted that chapter of Michael Jackson’s life because its goal was to tell his story through his eyes.
The film stars Jaafar Jackson as his late uncle, Michael Jackson, and opens in the USA on April 24, 2026.
Originally reported by Sibanee Gogoi on Mandatory.
