The Jackson family quietly gathered in Los Angeles last week as officials expected a moment of triumph.
Instead, sources say a family feud erupted at a private screening of the upcoming Michael Jackson biopic, exposing long-simmering tensions over the King of Pop’s legacy.
More than 60 members of the Jackson family attended a private screening in Los Angeles of “Michael,” which opens worldwide on April 24 and stars Jermaine Jackson’s son, Jaafar Jackson, as the legendary uncle.
At first, the atmosphere inside the venue was exciting, several people at the screening told Page Six. Relatives laughed, clapped and leaned forward in their seats as the film reenacted the Gary, Ind., native’s rise from child prodigy to one of the most famous entertainers on the planet.
But within minutes of the final lights going up, when Janet Jackson, 59, began dissecting the film with brutal precision, the atmosphere changed dramatically, people at the venue said.
The superstar singer, one of the most powerful members of the family and the second most successful artist after Michael, reportedly criticized everything from her performances to her makeup.
A source who attended the preview said, “She felt negative emotions in almost every scene.”
“The acting, the make-up, the way the actors talked, the way they walked. Janet decided from across the room that this movie wasn’t going to get her approval.”
The criticism surprised some relatives who had expected the whole family to rally behind the project. Others say the moment reflects deeper divisions that have been simmering for years.
Janet is one of the most visible family members supporting Michael’s daughter Paris Jackson, 27, in the ongoing legal battle against Michael’s estate. The lawsuit has stoked tensions between the late singer’s siblings, cousins and advisers who have differing opinions on how the singer’s empire should be run.
But insiders told Page Six that Jermaine Jackson, 71, had had enough and stood up and confronted Janet harshly.
“You’re going to miss this wave,” Jermaine told his sister, according to a family member who witnessed the exchange. “I’m so jealous of you, ride the wave.”
This frank exchange stunned several people present, especially the young family, who had never before witnessed such an open disagreement between Michael’s immediate siblings.
Many of the relatives in the room support the casting of Jermaine, who is deeply involved in movies, and Jaafar, who grew up surrounded by his uncle’s music and manners.
The 29-year-old has been widely praised by those who have seen early cuts of the film for capturing Michael’s voice, posture and dance style.
Family sources said Germaine privately saw the project as a moment of redemption for Brando and his biggest opportunity since Jackson’s death in 2009 to reconnect with viewers who had once followed the family with almost religious devotion.
That memory was marred by Michael’s tragic end, drug cocktail overdose, and persistent allegations of child abuse – though he was never convicted of any such crimes during his lifetime.
The estate and family signed a new licensing agreement to preserve his musica legacy and made “MJ: The Musical” a hit on Broadway.
“Everyone in the room knows Michael was doing lightning in a bottle,” the source said. “We can’t recreate him. But we can remind the world of what he meant.”
After the screening, one family member said frankly:
“We keep looking for that moment again, but Michael is the only one who can give it to us. He is no longer with us,” a relative said. “But look at the buzz this movie has created around the world.
“This isn’t just about Michael. It’s about us. It’s about our heritage. It’s about the resurrection that awaits us all.”
