In an interview with W Magazine, the Golden Globe nominee and star of Sing Sing shared that he is virtually unrecognizable in the film, Michael, which hits theaters on October 3rd. "I don't look like myself at all," Domingo admitted. "My skin tone is lighter because Joe had a fairer complexion. I wore prosthetics on my forehead and my nose was altered."
Domingo also emphasized the meticulous attention to detail in recreating Joe Jackson's wardrobe across different periods of his life. "We captured the different eras of Joe, from his younger, more stylish days to when he gained weight," the actor explained. "We even made sure I had the 'pooch' and wore my pants just like those men who proudly display their bellies."
Written by John Logan, the biopic features Michael Jackson's nephew, Jaafar Jackson, in the title role and traces the life and career of the King of Pop, whose legacy was later tarnished by allegations of child sexual abuse. Jackson and his estate have consistently maintained his innocence, including during his 2005 trial on child molestation charges, where he was acquitted.
The film boasts a stellar cast, with Nia Long portraying Jackson family matriarch Katherine and Miles Teller as Jackson's attorney and co-executor of his estate, John Branca. The official press release promises a “compelling and truthful depiction of the brilliant yet complex man," exploring his “humanity and personal struggles." Jackson tragically passed away in June 2009 at the age of 50 due to acute propofol intoxication.
Joe Jackson, Michael's father, was also a controversial figure, facing accusations of abusive behavior from some of his children. He died in June 2018 from cancer at the age of 89. In a 2024 interview with Entertainment Weekly, Domingo expressed his interest in the challenging role.
"I was drawn to it because I'm aware of the conflicting public perceptions of Joe Jackson, which may differ from how family members or those who knew him personally viewed him," Domingo stated. "Even that is very complex. I want to understand him and what motivated him. How did he shape these extraordinary, globally acclaimed artists? Because Joe's actions and influence played a significant role."
"Whether it was positive, negative, or somewhere in between, I'm not certain," the star added. "But I'm driven by curiosity, and I want to uncover what lies beneath the hat, the earrings, the gold chains, and everything else."
