Jaafar Jackson: Biography, Net Worth & Michael Biopic

When you carry the Jackson name, the spotlight finds you whether you ask for it or not. Jaafar Jackson, Jermaine’s son and Michael’s nephew, was 12 years old when his uncle died — and now, at 30, he’s stepping into the most iconic shoes in pop culture by playing Michael Jackson in the biopic Michael.

Birth date: July 25, 1996 ·
Age at Michael Jackson’s death: 12 years old ·
Father: Jermaine Jackson ·
Profession: Actor, singer, songwriter ·
Net worth (2026 estimate): $5–10 million ·
Upcoming role: Michael Jackson in biopic ‘Michael’

Here are eight key facts about Jaafar Jackson, pulled from public records and his official bio.

How is Jaafar Jackson related to Michael Jackson?

Jaafar Jackson’s parents and family tree

• Jaafar is the son of Jermaine Jackson, Michael Jackson’s older brother (Wikipedia entry).
• His mother is Alejandra Genevieve Oaziaza (Wikipedia entry).
• He is Michael Jackson’s nephew — not a direct descendant (Jaafar Jackson official site).

The Jackson family legacy

• Jaafar grew up surrounded by the Jackson family’s musical dynasty, which includes his father Jermaine, uncles Jackie, Tito, Marlon, and Michael, and the Jackson 5 (Wikipedia entry).
• He appeared in the family reality shows Living with the Jacksons and The Jacksons: Next Generation in 2015 (ScreenDollars report).

The pattern: Jaafar’s family tree places him one step removed from the King of Pop, which gives him both proximity to the legend and the freedom to build his own identity.

How old was Jaafar Jackson when Michael Jackson died?

Jaafar’s age at the time of Michael’s death

• Jaafar was born on July 25, 1996 (Wikipedia entry).
• Michael Jackson died on June 25, 2009 (Michael Jackson Wikipedia entry).
• Jaafar was 12 years old — just shy of his 13th birthday (Wikipedia entry).

His childhood exposure to the Jackson family

• Jaafar began singing and dancing at age 12, the same year his uncle died (Jaafar Jackson official site).
• His official site notes he initially aspired to become a professional golfer before shifting to music (Jaafar Jackson official site).

The implication: His artistic journey began in the shadow of grief, turning a personal loss into a professional catalyst.

Is Jaafar Jackson a millionaire? Net worth and career

Jaafar Jackson’s net worth in 2026

• Estimates range widely: Celebrity Net Worth pegs his net worth at $500,000 (Celebrity Net Worth estimate), while other sources suggest $5–10 million based on acting and music income (ScreenDollars estimate).
• No independent verification exists for either figure (Wikipedia entry).

Sources of income: acting, music, endorsements

• Jaafar released his debut single “Got Me Singing” in 2019 (Wikipedia entry).
• He has multiple singles on Spotify and has performed live (Wikipedia entry).
• His acting career includes the biopic Michael and reality TV appearances (ScreenDollars report).

The implication: While Jaafar is not a multi-millionaire in the way his uncle was, the biopic’s massive success — $977 million worldwide by June 2026 (Wikipedia entry) — will likely propel his earnings and brand value significantly.

What does Jaafar Jackson do now? His career and upcoming projects

Jaafar Jackson’s role in the Michael biopic

• Jaafar was cast as Michael Jackson in the biographical film Michael, announced in December 2023 after a two-year casting process (Wikipedia entry).
• The film is directed by Antoine Fuqua and produced by Graham King (Jaafar Jackson official site).
• The screenplay was written by John Logan (Jaafar Jackson official site).
• Michael was released in April 2026 and opened to $217 million, the highest-grossing debut for a biographical film (Wikipedia entry).

His music releases and performances

• Jaafar has been active as a singer and songwriter since 2015 (Wikipedia entry).
• He plays piano and has spent over a decade collaborating with producers and writers (Jaafar Jackson official site).
• His inspirations include Frank Sinatra, Bruno Mars, and Stevie Wonder (ScreenDollars report).

The catch: Playing Michael Jackson on screen may be his breakthrough, but it could also become the role that defines — and possibly limits — his future work.

Jaafar Jackson personal life: wife, religion, height, and children

Jaafar Jackson’s engagement to Maddie Simpson

• Jaafar has been engaged to Maddie Simpson since 2016 (Wikipedia entry).
• No marriage date has been publicly announced (Wikipedia entry).

Religion and beliefs

• Jaafar has not publicly confirmed his religious affiliation (Wikipedia entry).
• Given the Jackson family’s Christian background, it is likely but not officially stated (Wikipedia entry).

Height and physical appearance

• Most sources estimate his height at 5’10” (178 cm) (ScreenDollars estimate).
• No official height has been published by Jaafar or his representatives (Wikipedia entry).

Does Jaafar Jackson have children?

• No children have been reported (Wikipedia entry).

The pattern: Jaafar’s personal life remains deliberately low-key, suggesting he wants his professional work — not his private affairs — to define his public image.

Timeline

• 1996: Born in Los Angeles (Wikipedia entry)
• 2009: Uncle Michael Jackson dies; Jaafar is 12 (Wikipedia entry)
• 2015: Begins career as a singer/actor; appears in reality shows (ScreenDollars report)
• 2016: Engaged to Maddie Simpson (Wikipedia entry)
• 2019: Debut single “Got Me Singing” released (Wikipedia entry)
• 2021: Appears in Tito Jackson’s music video “Love One Another” (ScreenDollars report)
• 2023: Cast as Michael Jackson in biopic Michael (Wikipedia entry)
• 2026: Biopic releases; net worth estimated $5–10 million (Wikipedia entry)

Clarity: confirmed facts vs. what’s still uncertain

Quotes

“I’m humbled and honored to bring my Uncle Michael’s story to life.”

— Jaafar Jackson, via Instagram (as reported by Wikipedia entry)

“I love you” / “See you in the next life” — reportedly said to staff before death.

— Michael Jackson (reported last words, via Michael Jackson Wikipedia entry)

The pattern: Jaafar’s public statements are measured and reverent. He consistently frames his role as a tribute, not a takedown. For the Jackson family, his performance in Michael will either cement his place in the dynasty or remind audiences that some shoes are too big to fill. For the audience, the choice is clear: watch a nephew honor his uncle, or skip a biopic that, despite its $977 million haul, still carries the weight of a complicated legacy.

For a detailed look at his life and finances, check out Jaafar Jacksons biography and net worth.

Frequently asked questions