Oscar-nominated actor Colman Domingo is no stranger to the spotlight, but in 2026, his name is making headlines for more than just his talent. As he graces the cover of Wall Street Journal Magazine in March, Domingo is riding high on what many are calling the most successful period of his career. Yet, the road to this moment has been anything but smooth, and his latest project—the upcoming Michael Jackson biopic, Michael—has placed him at the center of a storm swirling with controversy, family drama, and questions about artistic responsibility.
The biopic, directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring Michael Jackson’s own nephew, Jaafar Jackson, is set to hit theaters in April 2026. But even before its release, the film has become a lightning rod for debate. The subject matter is fraught: Michael Jackson was a global superstar whose life was marked by both extraordinary achievement and deep controversy, and his family’s involvement in the project has only heightened scrutiny.
One of the most vocal critics of the film is Paris Jackson, Michael’s daughter. Last September, she took to Instagram to distance herself from the project after reports surfaced that she and her brother Prince were supportive of the film. According to PEOPLE and later confirmed by Wall Street Journal Magazine, Colman Domingo had previously stated the Jackson siblings were "very much in support of our film." Paris, however, was quick to set the record straight, writing, "[Colman], don’t be telling people I was ‘helpful’ on the set of a movie I had 0% involvement in lol. That is so weird. I read one of the first drafts of the script and gave my notes about what was dishonest [and] didn’t sit right with me and when they didn’t address it I moved on with my life. Not my monkeys, not my circus. God bless and godspeed."
For Domingo, who portrays family patriarch Joe Jackson in the film, the backlash was unexpected. In a recent interview with Wall Street Journal Magazine, he explained that his comments about Paris and Prince’s support were taken out of context. "I hope that she eventually loves the tribute that we made about her father," Domingo said, emphasizing that he reached out privately to Paris Jackson via Instagram direct message to clear the air. According to Domingo, Paris responded to his message with a heart emoji—an understated but perhaps telling gesture.
But the misunderstandings didn’t stop there. The controversy has reignited broader questions about the making of biopics, especially those centered on figures as polarizing as Michael Jackson. As Wall Street Journal Magazine and celebrity columnist Kayleigh Donaldson have pointed out, the film’s very existence is a "minefield of issues." How do you tell an honest story about someone so controversial, especially when his own family is steering the narrative and his nephew is cast in the lead role?
Donaldson, writing for Wall Street Journal Magazine, captured the skepticism many feel: "How much of this will be rooted in truth and not pure propaganda? Frankly, it’s the 2026 release I’m most concerned about. The Discourse is going to kill us all." She notes that Paris Jackson’s public disavowal of the project highlights the complicated dynamics at play. "It must be very weird to be in the position of having your family make a movie about your dad that you want no part of. Her feelings are her own and I wouldn’t want to be in her position."
Domingo, on his part, has attempted to approach the role of Joe Jackson with nuance. The elder Jackson is a figure remembered both for launching the Jackson 5—one of the most influential musical acts of all time—and for the harsh discipline he imposed on his children, which Michael and other siblings have described as abusive. In his interview, Domingo acknowledged the controversy but said he tried to find the humanity in Joe Jackson, stating, "For me, it was about finding his humanity. He created some of the most iconic artists that have ever walked this earth. What goes into the making of that man?" He added, "I will say that he chastised his children. It’s always going to be arguable what’s right and a great method."
That choice of words—"chastised"—has not gone unnoticed. Critics, including Donaldson, have pointed out that Joe Jackson himself admitted to physically disciplining his children, and that such actions are not simply a matter of parenting style but of violence. "There’s no argument over whether or not whipping your kids—which Joe admitted to doing—is a ‘right’ or ‘great’ method of discipline. That’s just violence," Donaldson wrote, expressing concern over how the film might handle these darker aspects of the Jackson family story.
The film’s director, Antoine Fuqua, has praised Domingo’s performance, saying the actor "melts into the character." In fact, Fuqua reportedly told Wall Street Journal Magazine that Domingo’s transformation into Joe Jackson was so convincing it "scared the sh-t out of" him. Such dedication to the role has become a hallmark of Domingo’s career, which, as he himself admits, was almost derailed years ago when he failed to land a part in HBO’s Boardwalk Empire. Reflecting on his journey, Domingo told Wall Street Journal Magazine, "We live in a culture where everyone says, ‘If you manifest something, it can happen.’ I think sometimes that’s telling ourselves a lie. It’s not about manifestation, I think it’s about hard work. I feel like putting something up on a dream board is fine; you need some creative visualization. But you need to do the work to get there. Nothing that I’ve built for myself has been manifested; it’s all been diligent work and a hard work ethic."
Now, at age 56, Domingo is enjoying a career renaissance, having secured leading roles in projects like Netflix’s The Madness and returning for the final season of Euphoria. Yet, the challenges of playing Joe Jackson—and the accompanying controversy—have tested his diplomatic skills. Despite the public spat, Domingo has remained gracious, expressing hope that Paris Jackson will one day appreciate the film as a tribute to her father, even if she wants no part of it now.
As the release date for Michael approaches, the debate shows no sign of dying down. With family members involved in production and critics questioning the film’s objectivity, the project sits at the intersection of art, legacy, and unresolved pain. Whether audiences will see it as an honest portrait or a sanitized tribute remains to be seen. For now, both Colman Domingo and Paris Jackson have made their positions clear, and the world is watching to see how the story unfolds on screen—and beyond.