In the highly anticipated film Michael, Colman Domingo takes on the challenging role of Joe Jackson, the patriarch of the Jackson family, whose complex legacy has been both celebrated and scrutinized. In an exclusive interview with Black Girl Nerds, Domingo opened up about the conversations he had with directorAntoine Fuqua about portraying a figure as multifaceted as Joe Jackson.
When asked about navigating the balance between tone and truth, Domingo explained that their discussions started with reflections on men they knew growing up. “We started by having great conversations about men that we know, that we’re raised by, men of a certain generation, men like Joe Jackson who were sort of, you know, raised and came up pre-civil rights,” Domingo said. He described how these men carried responsibilities toward their families, prioritizing work ethic, education, and often a strong, commanding presence to ensure the family stayed intact and moved forward.
Domingo also highlighted the importance of exploring the dynamic between male and female roles in the family. “And the female responsibility was to nurture and be that yin and yang,” he noted, referencing his collaborative discussions with Nia Long, who plays Katherine Jackson. “This is what created this family structure.”
Acknowledging the complexities of such figures, Domingo emphasized that Joe Jackson, like many men of his generation, had layers beyond what the public might perceive. “Sometimes people think that they’re just hard in some ways, but we know their softness, we know their vulnerabilities. And we care about these men deeply, and so we wanted to make sure that we really looked at Joe Jackson and the other men in this film as well with as much complexity as possible,” he said.
Domingo’s nuanced approach to Joe Jackson promises a portrayal that captures both the strictness and humanity of a man who shaped one of the most iconic families in music history. Michael offers audiences not only a glimpse into the legendary Jackson family but also an intimate exploration of the sacrifices, conflicts, and love that defined their journey.
Michael premieres in theaters nationwide on April 24th.
