Michael Jackson returns to the big screen with controversy and nostalgia

The biopic of the King of Pop divides critics and fans, but Jaafar Jackson surprises.

16 years after his departure, the King of Pop returns… to the cinema

This Wednesday, Michael, the biopic that promised to tell everything about the singer’s life, premiered in Mexico. But, spoiler: it doesn’t tell everything. Directed by Antoine Fuqua and produced by Graham King, the film already has divided numbers: 38% of critics vs. 96% fans on Rotten Tomatoes. It grossed $18.5 million globally on its first day. What does that say about us? That we love Michael, but we also love to debate him.

Jaafar Jackson: the perfect clone?

The protagonist is Jaafar Jackson, 29 years old, son of Jermaine and the Colombian Alejandra Rodríguez. He underwent a nearly two-year casting to play his uncle. He had already released music in 2019 (the single Got Me Singing), but this is another level. Graham King couldn’t contain his excitement:

“When I saw Jaafar transformed into Michael it was exactly him!”

And yes, watching him dance gives chills—the good kind.

Related‘Michael’: the biopic that shows the King of Pop without his shadows

Scenarios that transport you to the 80s

The production recreated key locations like Tower Records and Toys “R” Us (remember that store?). For the Thriller scene, they used the same Los Angeles street where the original video was filmed in 1983. The costumes, designed by Marci Rodgers, include hand-embroidered jackets. And Lady Gaga lent pieces from her personal collection—because if anyone has Michael’s stuff, it’s her.

The script that was changed by lawyers

Originally, the film was going to touch on the child abuse allegations of 1993. The final scene showed Michael looking at a mirror with police car lights behind it—powerful, right? But the lawyers for his estate pointed out a clause in the agreement with the Chandler family and… goodbye legal drama. Now he focuses on his childhood with the Jackson 5 until the Bad World Tour. Censorship or protection? Up to you.

Fun facts that will blow your mind

1. Bubbles the chimpanzee
Pop’s most famous mascot appears thanks to CGI—because using a real chimpanzee would be very controversial today. She was born in 1983, accompanied Michael on tours and now lives (at 43 years old) in a sanctuary in Florida with a giraffe, a llama and a python that also appear in the film.

2. Janet said ‘no thanks’
Singer La Toya Jackson revealed that Janet “kindly declined” to be portrayed in the film. Her decision was respected by the family—although we all wanted to see her dance Rhythm Nation again.

In short: Michael is an imperfect but moving tribute—like the artist himself.

Global effect: streaming soars after halftime show

11-minute performance drives artist views on digital platforms.

The first World Cup halftime show, broadcast from the outskirts of New York, not only captured global attention for eleven minutes. He also left clear figures on streaming platforms. Madonna, Justin Bieber, BTS and Shakira were part of a performance that generated notable increases in digital views.

How much did the views grow?

Luminate, a firm specializing in music industry data, compared the views of each song performed two days before the final (Friday and Saturday) with those on the following Sunday and Monday. The results:

  • Justin Bieber – “Everything Hallelujah” rose 110%, going from 592,000 to 1.25 million global views.
  • Madonna – “Music” increased 66%, from 193,000 to 321,000.
  • BTS – “Dynamite” grew 43%, from 2.14 million to 3.05 million.
  • Shakira and Burna Boy – “Dai Dai”, the official anthem of the 2026 World Cup, registered a 24% rebound globally (from 14.78 to 18.27 million). In the United States, the increase was 52% (from 1.68 to 2.55 million).

Impact limited to the show’s repertoire

Luminate noted that the increases were concentrated on songs played in the field, not artists’ entire catalogs. This phenomenon is similar to what happens after the Super Bowl halftime show. For example, Bad Bunny, after his record-breaking performance this year, saw a 175% increase in streaming of his catalog in the United States the day after the event.

The data confirms that a high-profile performance remains an effective platform for reactivating musical interest, even if the effect is limited to the pieces performed.

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Ozzy Osbourne: a year without the rock icon who united thousands

Children and hometown pay tribute to the Prince of Darkness on their first anniversary.

A year after his departure, Ozzy Osbourne continues to draw crowds. No longer from a stage, but from memory.

On July 22, during his first death anniversary, social networks were filled with photos, videos and anecdotes to honor the “Prince of Darkness.” His children Kelly and Jack also joined the tribute.

The reflection of your children

Kelly Osbourne shared a text on Instagram that moved her followers. In it he talks about grief and how it transformed his life. “There is a type of grief that takes away much more from you than the person you love. Little by little it extinguishes the light of your laughter, the innocence of your hope… The deepest pain is waking up every day longing for the version of you that died along with that person,” he wrote.

“I not only mourn the loss of my father. I also mourn the person he was before death taught my heart a language it did not know.”

Jack Osbourne shared images and videos of fans with memories of the singer. “I am truly moved by all the stories and tributes that have been dedicated to my dad today. I am very grateful to everyone for making this #OzzyDay something so epic and for showing him immense love,” he wrote.

Birmingham celebrated Ozzy Day

The rocker’s hometown declared July 22 as “Ozzy Day.” The city council organized live music, public art and special performances. At different points, fans left flowers, t-shirts, candles and letters.

The Birmingham Symphony Orchestra joined in the tribute. The 2022 Commonwealth Games mechanical bull, Ozzy The Bull, sported the Black Sabbath frontman’s iconic glasses.

Ozzy Osbourne died at age 76 due to a heart attack, according to his death certificate.

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Marjorie de Sousa: motherhood changed my vision of love

The Venezuelan actress reveals how motherhood transformed her perception of love and relationships.

Marjorie De Sousa is clear that becoming a mother transformed her way of seeing love. In a meeting with the media, the actress explained that her expectations about a relationship are different now.

His priority is his son Matías. “When you’re a mom, your priority is something else,” she said. “If God sends you the person who has to be with you, let it be someone who loves your son, who accepts him.”

Although love no longer occupies the same place, it is not closed to a new relationship. Look for someone who shares your values: “That I am prepared, that I want to live life, that I believe in God, that I am loving, that I respect my family, that I love my son as my own.”

Her last known courtship was with businessman Vicente Uribe in 2020. Since then, she prefers to keep her love life private.

Concern for Venezuela

De Sousa also spoke about the recent earthquakes in his native country. Several friends lost their assets and he is still waiting to know the status of his parents’ assets. “It’s very sad. I have many friends who lost everything… They are material things, but they are my parents’ effort in life,” he said.

New soap opera

He is currently part of the cast of “Infinito Amor”, which will premiere on October 12 on Las Estrellas. She will play Amanda.

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