Colman Domingo and Nia Long Explain Why ‘Michael’ Avoids Child Abuse Allegations
The upcoming biopic Michael is getting attention even before release, especially because of what it does not show. The film focuses on the life and rise of Michael Jackson, but it avoids directly covering the child molestation allegations that surrounded him later in his career.
According to comments shared in a recent discussion involving cast members, including Colman Domingo and Nia Long, the movie is told mostly from Jackson’s point of view.
The story is built around his early life, his family background, and how he became one of the biggest music stars in the world. Domingo, who plays Michael’s father, Joe Jackson, described the film as being centered on Michael’s growth as an artist and his personal journey.
The issue of why the film avoids the abuse allegations has been a major talking point. Journalist Craig raised concerns about how modern audiences expect serious claims from survivors to be addressed in biopics.
He questioned whether leaving out this part of Jackson’s life changes the fairness of the story. In response, Domingo and Long suggested that the film may not completely ignore the topic forever and hinted that it could possibly be explored in a future project.
Colman Domingo and Nia Long speak on why "Michael" doesn't touch child molestation claims.
— TMZ (@TMZ) April 22, 2026
🎥: NBC pic.twitter.com/TmGR9PhSBW
Director Antoine Fuqua also spoke about the film in an interview with The New Yorker, according to the source report. He said he originally planned to include the 2003 arrest and related events in a more direct way. He even shot scenes dealing with that moment in Jackson’s life. However, legal agreements connected to Jackson’s estate and past settlements made it impossible to include those parts in the final version of the movie.
Fuqua explained that these restrictions forced changes to the story. Instead, the film focuses more on Jackson’s early struggles and his rise from child performer to global superstar. He also shared his personal opinion in the interview, saying he remains unsure about some of the accusations that followed Jackson. At the same time, he acknowledged the seriousness of such claims in general.
The film also stars Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson, along with Colman Domingo in a key supporting role. It is scheduled to release in theaters soon.
This approach will divide viewers. Some people will appreciate a focus on Jackson’s life and music career, while others will feel that leaving out such serious accusations makes the story feel incomplete. It is always difficult when a biopic chooses what to include and what to leave out, especially with a figure as controversial as Michael Jackson. What do you think about this decision? Share your thoughts in the comments.