Between mixed reviews from critics and feverish anticipation from fans around the world, Michael is all but guaranteed to dominate the global box office this weekend. But a key figure from the King of Pop’s young adult years is conspicuously absent from the new film.
On Thursday (April 23), Kat Graham — who was cast as Diana Ross in the film back in March 2024 — took to her official Instagram Story to explain why she no longer appears in the Antoine Fuqua-helmed musical biopic.
“I want to share that certain legal considerations affected a few scenes, including ones I filmed with an incredible cast,” she wrote. “Unfortunately, those moments are no longer part of the final cut, though the team worked hard to preserve as much of the story as possible.”
Not only was Ross’ alleged discovery of The Jackson 5 a key part of Motown’s marketing and promotional plan for the then-burgeoning family band, but The Supremes frontwoman would also appear on the silver screen alongside MJ in 1978’s The Wiz. And that’s not to mention the close friendship the two legends shared outside of the industry.
In addition to Graham, who’s best known for her work in The Vampire Diaries, that March 2024 casting announcement also confirmed the involvement of Larenz Tate (as Motown founder Berry Gordy), Kendrick Sampson (as Quincy Jones), Jessica Sula (as LaToya Jackson), Kevin Shinick (as Dick Clark) and Liv Symone (as Gladys Knight). Each of those actors, save for Graham, still appears in the blockbuster biopic, which hits theaters on Friday.
Michael has been plagued by legal issues throughout its production process. One version of the script reportedly had to be stripped of all references to Jackson’s child sexual abuse allegations after his estate discovered a settlement clause that forbade any mention of Jordan Chandler, one of MJ’s accusers, in the film.
Penned by John Logan, Michael covers Jackson’s legendary life and career from his 1960s Jackson 5 days to his seismic late-’80s Bad Tour. Jaafar Jackson, the son of Jermaine Jackson and MJ’s nephew, portrays his uncle, leading a cast comprised of two-time Oscar nominee Colman Domingo (as Joe Jackson), Emmy nominee Miles Teller (as entertainment lawyer John Branca), three-time NAACP Image Award winner Nia Long (as Katherine Jackson), Actor Award nominee Laura Harrier (as Suzanne de Passe), and Emmy winner Mike Myers (as music industry executive Walter Yetnikoff).
Click here to read Kat Graham’s full explanation for Diana Ross’ absence in the Michael biopic.
