Stella Nelson | Writer
May 23, 2026
The legendary career of Michael Jackson has gained renewed attention with the release of the new Michael biopic, allowing people to remember his impact on music, entertainment, and culture. Since his tragic passing in 2009, Michael Jackson’s work has stood the test of time being one of the most influential musicians in the world who continues to reach younger generations.
Within its first week of being released, Michael has broken records and drawn in crowds globally with nearly 14 million people who raced to theaters to see it. In the box office, the movie has seen a staggering $700 million in sales, quickly rising to be the most successful biopics of all time, attesting to Michael Jackson’s lasting legacy. Additionally, Michael’s music has seen a resurgence with his hit song “Billie Jean” skyrocketing to No. 1 on Billboard Global 200 chart, 43 years after its release.
Senior at SCHS, Lucia Bybee recalled her mom, “always playing Michael Jackson’s music growing up, in the car and in the kitchen,” making him one of her favorite artists, passed down from generation to generation. Michael Jackson’s fame and influence is hard to forget, and with the new biopic people are remembering why.
In his first movie role, Michael Jacksons’s nephew Jaafar Jackson has taken the enormous undertaking of portraying his uncle’s life. While his looks are very similar to that of Michael’s, Jaafar’s commitment to becoming Michael through intense training in dancing, acting, and singing, it is without a shadow of a doubt, that he nailed Michael’s mannerisms, making the audience believe they saw him on their screens.
Senior at SCHS Stella Shaffer “has gone to see the movie twice, and counting because [Michael’s] music is addicting and the story is heartbreaking.” The movie not only celebrates Jackson’s life but reflects on the painful hardships he endured in his life, allowing audiences to recognize his sacrifices and dedication to what he loved, music, believing that it could connect people anywhere.
Michael Jackson changed the music industry, and what it meant to be a musician. Through his achievements and ground breaking releases such as his album Thriller and iconic performances like the moonwalk, he redefined what it meant to be a performer. Michael’s music videos and songs became masterpieces, and iconic pieces of history that many artists still reference today, proving that he is timeless.
Through his catalog, Michael has uniquely stayed connected to millions of people’s lives over the years. Families relate his music to childhood memories, celebrations, and more because his music resonates with people, sparking hope, fun, and creativity, especially through songs like “Human Nature” and “Man in the Mirror.”
However, it is important to note that the movie only shared Michael’s rise to become a solo artist and break free from the Jackson 5 legacy, it stopped only at the Bad album. Fans should pay close attention to the next movie, because Michael is going to have a sequel to continue the legendary life of Michael Jackson.
Leave a Reply