The sad, ugly debate behind the new Michael Jackson biopic
The new Michael Jackson biopic 'Michael' has achieved commercial success despite ongoing controversy surrounding the artist's legacy and credible allegations of child sexual abuse. The debate over the film highlights tensions between supporting Jackson's musical legacy and acknowledging the serious accusations against him, with some viewers dismissing the allegations and others emphasizing systemic racism in how Black men are perceived in the justice system. This complex discourse pits marginalized groups—Black men and survivors of child abuse—against each other, complicating public conversation about art, accountability, and historical context.
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CultureThe sad, ugly debate behind the new Michael Jackson biopicThe controversy pits two disenfranchised groups against each other.by Constance GradyApr 29, 2026, 3:35 PM UTCShareGiftSignage during Lionsgate’s Michael premiere at Dolby Theatre on April 20, 2026, in Los Angeles, California. Leon Bennett/Getty Images for LionsgateConstance Grady is a senior correspondent on the Culture team for Vox, where since 2016 she has covered books, publishing, gender, celebrity analysis, and theater.The new biopic Michael, about the tortured King of Pop, had a record-breaking opening weekend — despite the fact that the film celebrates the musical legacy of Michael Jackson, a man credibly accused of sexually abusing multiple children.After the success of the 2019 documentary Leaving Neverland, it was…
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