As a Michael Jackson (MJ) diehard, I’ve read all the books about the King of Pop, which are part of my massive collection of MJ memorabilia. So, watching “Michael,” the biopic made me feel like a child witnessing her favorite storybook come to life. What an indescribable feeling. I got goose bumps and teared up from start to finish. It seemed like Jaafar Jackson was “possessed” by his uncle MJ. You could feel Michael’s soul in every scene.
In this time of instant fame through virality, MJ’s long, hard climb to success shows us why his staying power is still very much felt even when he’s already gone. Michael’s music and legacy will outlive us all.
I asked some celebs to share their thoughts on MJ’s biopic. Here goes:
Martin Nievera: “The Michael Jackson movie was an amazing experience for me. I am a huge fan, and to see him come alive through the almost mirror-image acting of his nephew Jaafar was magical for me, and although I didn’t start my singing career at eight or 10 years old, I too could relate to a lot of the things he went through to reach his dreams.
“I learned so much and did not need to be reminded of rumors or innuendos to see how Michael got to be the misunderstood icon of his time. Been there, done that! To see his childhood taken away and to know how much he sacrificed, no matter how accurate the script was, for me, was a wake-up call for the younger me, but more importantly for the new young dreamers of today.
“There is a price to pay for fame. Never mind fortune. That will come in time in the form of blessings, but the Michael Jackson movie opened my eyes and mind and made me admire the dedication of an artist who only wanted what was right and fair. An artist whose heart was bigger than any hospital he visited just to cheer up a child in need.
“There are so many stories behind our superstars and idols. We want them to be what we want them to be. Today, the turnover is much faster than the time of MJ. His music and the history he left behind teach us that no matter how big we are, we are never too big to want to make a change in the world, never too big to bring a smile even to one small fan, never too big to shed a tear for someone else.
“Michael never had the chance to look back at his life the way we all can, especially now with this movie. I can only imagine what the music industry of the world would be like today if he truly (were) still alive, but the true test of his genius and musicality and stage presence and struggle can be seen in this movie, and with every song celebrated in this movie, we are joyfully reminded that there is only one King of Pop! Michael Jackson lives every time we hear his songs… and that’s forever.”
Amy Perez: “The film finally gives a fitting portrayal of Michael’s life, showcasing his dedication and intelligence as an artist. Jaafar’s portrayal of Michael is impressive, demonstrating his remarkable dancing skills. My son Kyle and (I) cried during the Billie Jean performance of Jaafar. As a fan of MJ, that was a tear of joy for us.”
Mark Bautista: “I thought it was great. Jaafar Jackson did an amazing job, especially considering he had no prior acting experience. The movie was a bit restrained but precise — just enough to make it nostalgic. It felt more like reliving his legacy and remembering his greatness. There wasn’t much drama, just the pure joy of watching and realizing that, in our lifetime, we witnessed the greatest artist in pop history.”
Jed Madela: “Growing up listening to MJ’s songs, watching the movie was quite nostalgic for me. But the story… his story… was the one that hit me most. There were some scenes in the movie that I, as an artist, relate so much to; how the business works and how artists like us also want to be treated like humans… allow us to live our (lives). It was tight to the chest to know that someone like him, despite having everything, was lacking a lot of things that mattered most. I saw myself in him, especially in the toy store scene. I was so into the movie that I didn’t notice the time. Bitin! There are so much more MJ stories that should be put (on) the screen. Looking forward to the next MJ movie.”
Miss Universe Philippines Iloilo
Since I’m an Ilongga at heart, I am rooting for Miss Iloilo, Zestah Shalom Espinosa, at the Miss Universe Philippines pageant, which will be held on May 2 at the MOA Arena. Aside from bagging various awards in her hometown, she is also Miss La Carmela de Boracay, my happy place. Zestah has gracefully transitioned from an academic achiever and student athlete to a beauty queen.
With multiple recognitions under her belt, she remains grounded in her purpose — using her platform to empower and uplift others. C’est la, Zest!