“Let your light shine. Never allow anyone to take that from you, not even yourself.” That was the quote from actress Nia Long, who portrayed the Jackson’s matriarch, Katherine Jackson, in the hottest film that’s in theaters, Michael.
Watching the biopic, inspired by Michael Jackson’s life, from early stardom to coming out of his shell to becoming a self-made solo talent on his own, starring in the late 1970s, leaves behind a mark in entertainment history. The movie offers a powerful reminder to walk your own path, even when that path feels uncertain and when people want to choose the path for you that’s best for their ideologies. Fear may manifest and doubt may arise, but purpose gradually reveals itself. If you can see the vision and feel it pulling you forward, then it already belongs to you. All you have to do is walk in it. The path may be scary, but each step, small or big, represents faith and bravery.
JaafarJackson (son of Jermaine Jackson), star in the biopic of his late uncle, Michael Jackson; Courtesy of Backgrid and Lionsgate
One of the strongest messages reflected in Michael’s journey is the importance of ownership over your gift. People can become so comfortable with your talent that they begin to feel entitled to it. But your calling is not a shared possession for others to control for their own path and personal gain. When doors are opened for you, it is your responsibility to respond to the call and build something meaningful beyond others’ expectations. Innovation means that there’s opportunities to expand by creating new lanes, and evolve with change instead maintaining what already exists. It helps in ways to tap into your inner power, to explore the greatness that’s inside of you.
Michael stood apart because he embraced what made him different. At times, that difference made him a target for criticism. He was laughed at, misunderstood, called Wacko Jacko, covered his children’s faces in public, and had zoo animals as pets and his Neverland ranch. Yet history has a way of correcting perspective. The very things that once drew ridicule, like wearing masks in public spaces, for instance, often become the blueprint others follow during the pandemic of 2020.
Michael Jackson rose to fame as the lead singer of the The Jackson 5 before launching a solo career that propelled him to global stardom in the late 1970s and early 1980s with the success of albums like Off the Wall and Thriller; Courtesy of Tumblr
There is also something deeply human in how he carried his purpose. The pop-icon pursued his goals with intention, capitalizing off his creativity for the world to witness, refusing to let barriers define him by motivating himself. When he wanted to break into spaces like MTV that resisted him, he did not shrink or conform. He simply showed up and delivered excellence, becoming the first African-American artist to have a video on MTV, which was Billie Jean. His individuality through his style, creativity, attire, or bold decisions, consistently placed him ahead of the curve. That quiet determination from a shy soft-spoken man from Gary, Indiana speaks volumes in a world where many are pressured to blend in rather than stand out.
Actress, Nia Long, and actor, Colman Domingo, portrayal of Michael Jackson’s parents, Katherine and Joseph Jackson, in the biopic, Michael; Photo Credit: Lionsgate
The film also touches on a reality as to how those closest to you, at times, can unintentionally hold you back. Love, family, and loyalty can become tools of guilt when others expect access to your path instead of walking their own. But purpose is not transferable. It’s one of those moments that seasons do change and seasons do expire, and it’s a season to stand out. Michael’s season with the Jackson Five expired, and it was a moment when his father wanted to wheel him back. Had Jackson continued to tour with his brothers in the mid-1980s, the world may not have witnessed the album Bad, which galvanized his career into higher global stardom that carried on in the 1990s. Everyone must find and build their own lane.
Michael’s life reminds us that being different is not a flaw. It is often the very thing that defines greatness. He lived unapologetically, embracing his creativity and quirks, that level of self-acceptance is rare, and it is part of what made him unforgettable.
As for the film, the talent was raw with Jafaar Jackson, who portrayed his late uncle stood out, I thought it was authentic with family involvement behind the scenes and Antoine Fuqua intention in making the film a great story telling experience and resonating where it matters, especially for MJ fans. I would rate it a perfect 10, because of it the impact of the story and the legacy it represents carry undeniable weight.
