• Have YOU got a story? Email tips@dailymail.co.uk
  • See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred Source

Michael Jackson's nephew Jaafar has reflected on the accusations that the singer's biopic 'sanitised' his uncle's life.

The film, titled Michael, was released in April this year, and was savaged by critics who were underwhelmed by the sanitised storytelling of the cultural icon, who famously faced allegations of abusing under-age boys.

After spending three years preparing to step into the role of Michael on screen, Jaafar featured in the first film which charted the King Of Pop's life from being in the Jackson 5 in the Sixties to his early solo career.

Starring as the cover star for the September issue of GQ Middle East, now Jaafar, who is Michael's brother Jermaine's son, has hinted the second film will give an insight into the allegations.

Reflecting on what he would like to see he said: 'I think the second film will give even more insight from his point of view, because at the end of the day, [the allegations] are always from someone else’s.'

He added that the screenplay is in development and that he has no real say in its scope or story.

Michael Jackson's nephew Jaafar has reflected on accusations that the biopic 'sanitised' his uncle's life as he stars as GQ Middle East's September cover star

The actor has said the second film will address sexual abuse allegations from singer's point of view

Many critics were outraged over the film's decision not to include Jackson's child abuse scandal in the big budget film (The singer pictured in 2005)

Speaking about how his experience performing as Michael Jackson has shaped his own ambitions as an artist, Jaafar said: 'I experienced the best I could experience as an artist on a stage as Michael. Me doing it as Jaafar would feel weird.'

Jaafar first understood the extraordinary stature of his family as he watched them reunite for the Jackson Five's 30th anniversary before thousands of adoring fans at Madison Square Garden.

He said: 'I still can remember how loud it was in there and the fans going crazy for my uncles on the stage.

'That was probably the first moment that it hit me, Oh, they’re important.'

Michael's career and legacy became clouded by rumours of paedophilia beginning in 1993, when he was accused of sexually abusing 13-year-old Jordan Chandler in a lawsuit filed by the boy's father.

A criminal investigation found no physical evidence of abuse, but Michael ultimately settled the civil suit with the family in January 1994 for $23million.

He later faced further allegations, as well as a high-profile, sensational criminal trial on child molestation charges involving 13-year-old Gavin Arvizo in 2005. He was acquitted of all charges.

He died in 2009 aged 50 of a cardiac arrest he suffered after having Propofol administered as a sleep aid.

After spending three years preparing to step into the role of Michael on screen, the first film charted the King Of Pop's life from being in the Jackson 5 in the Sixties to his early solo career

Jaafar spent three years preparing to step into the role of Michael on screen, the first film charted the King Of Pop's life from being in the Jackson 5 in the Sixties to his early solo career

Speaking about his experience performing as Michael, he said: 'I experienced the best I could experience as an artist on a stage as Michael. Me doing it as Jaafar would feel weird'

The star put on a stylish display in a long floral coat which he wore over a yellow fleece

For another shot he opted for a black and white chevron patterned suit jacket and black leather gloves

Jaafar first understood the extraordinary stature of his family as he watched them reunite for the Jackson Five's 30th anniversary before thousands of adoring fans at MSG

He said: 'I still can remember how loud it was in there and the fans going crazy for my uncles on the stage. 'That was probably the first moment that it hit me, Oh, they’re important'

But his legacy fell under renewed scrutiny in recent years over the ongoing molestation claims, which were reignited by Wade Robson and James Safechuck in the 2019 documentary Leaving Neverland.

Leaving Neverland 2 was released last year and saw the pair's ongoing legal battle as they doubled down on their claims that the late star sexually abused them as children for years.

Director Spike Lee also previously defended the film – which he said he'd already seen twice and 'loves' – insisting that the abuse accusations weren't included as it only documents Michael's life up until 1988 – before the first allegation was made.

'First of all, if you’re a movie critic, and you’re complaining about all this other stuff, but the movie ends in ‘88,' the Oscar winner told CNN. 'And the stuff you’re talking about, accusations, happened [later].

'So you’re critiquing the film on something that you want in, but it doesn’t work in the timeline of the film.'

While he suggested that the fact the movie did so well at the box office further justified the omission, adding: 'But people showed up. Worldwide, people showed their love.

Read the full interviews now on GQ Middle East website www.gqmiddleeast.com