Summary
- Jaafar Jackson and Nia Long took to the stage at the 2026 BET Awards to share a heartfelt message after their film Michael achieved a historic box office milestone.
- Nia Long, who portrayed Michael Jackson’s mother, Katherine Jackson, in the film, also paid tribute to both Jaafar and the Jackson family.
- Reacting to the milestone on Instagram, Jaafar Jackson shared a carousel of rare behind the scenes photos, writing that it had been a dream goal for the film and that fans had made it real, adding that he believes Michael is grinning about the achievement from wherever he is.
Jaafar Jackson and Nia Long took to the stage at the 2026 BET Awards to share a heartfelt message after their film Michael achieved a historic box office milestone.
On Sunday, June 28, the 29 year old actor, joined by his 55 year old co-star, expressed gratitude to fans after the biopic officially became the highest grossing biopic of all time, surpassing Oppenheimer with a global gross of 977 million dollars, as reported by Variety the same day.
Taking the stage together to present the award for Best Male R&B/Pop Artist, Jackson paused to thank audiences before announcing the winner. Speaking to the crowd at the Peacock Theater, he said they were so grateful for the love shown to their movie, adding that fans had kept theatres packed and that their support meant the world to the Jackson family.
Nia Long, who portrayed Michael Jackson’s mother, Katherine Jackson, in the film, also paid tribute to both Jaafar and the Jackson family. She said playing Katherine reminded her that grace is quiet and still, and called it an honour watching Jaafar transform into his uncle on screen. The pair then announced Leon Thomas as the winner of the award.
Fans responded warmly to the moment online, with many expressing hope that the film and its star would go on to receive further recognition, including possible award nominations down the line, with several praising Jaafar’s performance as doing justice to Michael Jackson’s story.
Released on April 24, 2026, Michael traces the singer’s early life, beginning with his childhood in the Jackson 5 during the 1960s through to the Bad World Tour in the late 1980s. The film’s cast includes Jaafar Jackson, Colman Domingo, Nia Long, Miles Teller, KeiLyn Durrel Jones, Laura Harrier, Joseph David-Jones and Jessica Sula.
The film’s box office achievement places it ahead of Oppenheimer’s 975 million dollar global total, and ahead of 2018’s Bohemian Rhapsody, which had previously held the record for highest grossing music biopic with 911 million dollars worldwide. Reacting to the milestone on Instagram, Jaafar Jackson shared a carousel of rare behind the scenes photos, writing that it had been a dream goal for the film and that fans had made it real, adding that he believes Michael is grinning about the achievement from wherever he is.
Other winners at the 2026 BET Awards included Clipse for Album of the Year, Kehlani for Best Female R&B/Pop Artist, Cardi B for Best Female Hip Hop Artist, Kendrick Lamar for Best Male Hip Hop Artist, Clipse again for Best Group, Olivia Dean for Best New Artist, and Sinners for Best Movie.
