Jaafar Jackson transformed into his late uncle, Michael Jackson, for the new biographical film, Michael.
During that time, Jaafar delved deep to truly know the pop icon, a process he had previously called “surreal” and “spiritual.” At the premiere of Michael in LA, the 29-year-old was asked to name the “biggest misconception” about MJ.
“I would say that he wanted to be white,” Jackson told Extra. “This film gives you that understanding of what that is—that vitiligo played a part in his life and not a lot of people really understand what that is. And he was dealing with that from an early age.”
In 1986, Michael was diagnosed with vitiligo, an autoimmune disorder that causes skin to lose its pigment and sensitivity to sunlight. He used makeup to cover the patches and skin-lightening prescription creams to even out his complexion. When his skin became lighter, many speculated that he was attempting to appear white.
During a 1993 interview with Oprah, Jackson opened up about his condition.
“It is something I cannot help. When people make up stories that I don't want to be who I am, it hurts me,” he said, referencing theories that he wants to be white. “It's a problem for me. I can't control it. But what about all the millions of people who sit in the sun to become darker, to become other than what they are. Nobody says nothing about that.”
Michael debuts in theaters on April 24.
