Siblings Rebbie and Randy Jackson are also nowhere to be found in the film.

Why isn’t Janet Jackson in Michael? Why you won’t see the pop icon in her brother’s biopic

Siblings Rebbie and Randy Jackson are also nowhere to be found in the film.

By Randall Colburn

Randall Colburn

Randall Colburn is a writer and editor at **. His work has previously appeared on The A.V. Club, The Guardian, The Ringer, and many other publications.

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April 24, 2026 4:00 p.m. ET

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Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson at the 35th Annual Grammy Awards on Feb. 24, 1993. Credit:

KMazur/WireImage

- *Michael*, a biopic about pop icon Michael Jackson, is now playing in theaters.

- Three of Michael's siblings — Rebbie, Randy, and Janet — are not featured as characters in the movie.

- La Toya Jackson has said that Janet "kindly declined" to be portrayed.

Janet Jackson would prefer not to field any questions, but we have to ask: Why isn't she in the new biopic about her brother?

*Michael*, out today, is the long-awaited (and controversial) new movie about Michael Jackson's early years with the Jackson 5 and as a hugely successful solo artist.

By and large, the film is a family affair, with Michael’s eldest son Prince serving as a producer and his nephew Jaafar portraying him during the golden years of his career, marked by hits such as “Beat It,” “Thriller,” and “Billie Jean.”

Which Jackson siblings are featured in Michael?

Judah Edwards as Tito, Jaylen Hunter as Marlon, Juliano Krue Valdi as Michael, Nathaniel McIntyre as Jackie, and Jayden Harville as Jermaine in 'Michael'.

Glen Wilson/Lionsgate

Michael's parents, Joe and Katherine Jackson, had 10 children: Rebbie, Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, La Toya, Marlon, Brandon, Michael, Randy, and Janet. Brandon, Marlon's twin brother, died shortly after his birth in 1957.

Joe and Katherine are portrayed by Colman Domingo and Nia Long, with Joseph David-Jones as Jackie, Rhyan Hill as Tito, Jamal R. Henderson as Jermaine, Jessica Sula as La Toya, and Tre Horton as Marlon. As kids, Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, and Marlon are played by Nathaniel Logan McIntyre, Judah Edwards, Jayden Harville, and Jaylen Lyndon Hunter, respectively. (Juliano Krue Valdi plays Michael as a child.)

The three Jackson siblings not featured are Rebbie, Randy, and Janet, none of whom have publicly addressed their absence in the film. A representative for the Jackson estate did not respond to **'s request for comment.**

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Is Michael Jackson's nephew Jaafar really singing in 'Michael' biopic?

Why isn’t Janet Jackson in Michael?

Janet Jackson and Michael Jackson on Dec. 18, 1972 in Los Angeles.

Michael Ochs Archive/Getty

Janet has yet to publicly comment on *Michael*, but her sister La Toya told *Variety* that the "Miss You Much" singer chose not to be featured in the biopic.

“She was asked and she kindly declined,” said La Toya, 69, while attending the film's Los Angeles premiere on April 20. “So you have to respect her wishes.”

She added, “I wish everybody was in the movie."

*Michael* director Antoine Fuqua also spoke with the outlet about Janet's decision. “I have so much respect and love for Janet, but you know it’s okay," he said. "She’s supportive of Jaafar and that’s what matters.”

EW has reached out to representatives for Janet and Lionsgate, the studio behind *Michael*, for comment.**

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