La Toya Jackson shares the reason for Janet’s absence
La Toya Jackson, the second-eldest sister in the Jackson family, has explained why Janet is not portrayed in the new biopic “Michael.” Speaking at the film’s premiere in Los Angeles on Monday, April 20, 2026, she revealed that Janet had been invited to participate but decided to decline the offer. La Toya also added that her choice should be respected, offering the clearest explanation so far for why one of the Jackson family’s most famous members does not appear in the film.
Watch La Toya revealing Janet Jackson’s decline below:
LaToya Jackson says her sister, Janet Jackson, “kindly declined” to be portrayed in the upcoming "Michael":
“I wish everybody was in the movie. She was asked and she kindly declined so you have to respect her wishes."https://t.co/oCdk5KtwFJ pic.twitter.com/T7TaxLoEtm
— Variety (@Variety) April 21, 2026
“She was asked, and she kindly declined, so you have to respect her wishes.”
The film includes many Jackson family figures
Meanwhile, “Michael” focuses on Michael Jackson’s life and career and features several members of the Jackson family on screen. It stars Jaafar Jackson, Michael’s nephew and the son of Jermaine Jackson, starring in the movie. Other cast members include Nia Long as Katherine Jackson, Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson, Miles Teller as John Branca, and Laura Harrier as Suzanne de Passe. The plot follows Michael’s rise as a member of Jackson 5 in the 60s to his rise as one of the biggest pop stars in the world before he died in 2009 at age 50.
The director says Janet still supports the project
Janet Jackson herself has not publicly commented on the film or on not being portrayed. In addition, she was also not seen attending the movie premiere. However, director Antoine Fuqua addressed her absence in the film, telling Variety:
“I have so much respect and love for Janet, but you know it’s okay. She’s supportive of Jaafar, and that’s what matters.”