Taj Jackson fires back at claims the family is trying to “cash in” after the biopic “Michael” opened to $217 million globally. The Michael Jackson’s Nephew Hits Back At Cash Grab Claims first appeared on The Blast

Michael Jackson‘s nephew, Taj Jackson, has hit back at claims his family is looking to “cash in” after the pop icon’s biopic “Michael” opened to $217 million at the global box office.

The documentary has garnered mixed reactions since its release, as many criticized it for painting a saintly picture of Michael’s career while skipping the sexual abuse allegations of a 13-year-old boy.

Jaafar Jackson, who played Michael in the biopic, pulled back the curtain on the icon’s personality, saying some of the materials he used showed how “deeply sensitive” he was.

Michael Jackson’s Nephew Slams ‘Cash Grab’ Claims

Taj took to social media to hit back at critics who claim his family is keen to launch a cynical attempt to cash in on the success of his recently released biopic.

Responding to a New York Post report suggesting the Jackson family is “eager to cash in” following the success of his biopic, and is also holding talks of a “Thriller” tour and movie sequel, Taj slammed it as “lies” and “clickbait.”

“Do I have to drag you again, @nypost,” he wrote on X. “Leave my family alone with your lies and clickbait articles. You and your fake sources.”

Going further to slam the author, Taj wrote, “A ‘family source’… blah blah blah. Stacy Brown, you have no credibility, never have. That’s why I’ve called you a weasel in the past. And just so you know, Stacy Brown was having dinner with the prosecution team during my uncle’s trial. Stop trusting the tabloids.”

Fans Praise Taj Jackson For Speaking Out

Taj, who’s the son of Tito Jackson, has remained a prominent defender of the Jackson family legacy and works as a director and producer. Several fans took to the comment section to share their mixed reaction, with many throwing their weight behind him.

“No shade, the Jackson family gotta start fighting back exactly like this address sh-t and address it LOUDLY bc the media has terrorized y’all for decades now,” an X user wrote.

“These tabloids and the sensationalist media have pried and disrespected your family for far too long. I’m so sorry this keeps happening,” another fan penned.

“Don’t spend too much of your energy on this. The movie and ticket sales speak for themselves.  ” Love you all,” someone else added.

Michael Jackson’s Family Is Enjoying The Success

The reports also claim that Michael’s family sees the success of his biopic as the ultimate validation of the pop icon and a golden opportunity to make money.

“The success of this movie didn’t just bring Michael back,” a family source told The New York Post. “It brought all of them back. The phones are ringing again, the invites are coming again, and the family knows exactly what this moment is.”

Many of Michael’s family were involved in the movie, with his nephew Jaafar Jackson playing him, while his eldest son Prince served as an executive producer. According to the news outlet, his estate also played a major role in bringing the movie to the screen.

“For a long time, everything around Michael felt heavy. Now it’s light again. It’s a celebration, and the family is enjoying every second of it,” another insider said.

Janet Jackson ‘Fronted’ To Headline Proposed Tour

Talks of a sequel to the biopic and even a Jackson family tour have surfaced following the massive success of “Michael.” According to the news outlet, the musical family is looking to include the pop icon’s sister Janet as the headliner of the proposed tour, while siblings La Toya, Rebbie, Jermaine, Jackie, and Marlon are understood to have given the green light.

It has also lined family members’ pockets, as well as many of them were brought in as executive producers, with sources saying the payout topped seven figures in total.

“They were paid, and they were paid well. The estate made sure of that because they wanted the family involved and aligned,” an insider said, adding that plans for a sequel are underway.

“[Studio] Lionsgate and the Jackson Estate haven’t made a definitive decision yet, but the family is supportive as long as the project is executed properly and the false allegations against Michael are not given excessive attention,” another source spilled.

Michael Jackson Biopic Draws Mixed Reactions Online

Meanwhile, mixed reactions have trailed the film as critics slam it for trying to paint a “sanitized” version of Michael’s life and career, particularly as it neglected the sexual abuse allegations Michael faced against 13-year-old Jordan Chandler.

The controversy resulted in a lengthy court battle that resulted in the “Billie Jean” singer making a huge financial payout to the victim’s family.

To the Telegraph, the biopic “refuses to address the elephant in the room,” while The Guardian‘s Peter Bradshaw said the movie is “rammed with every music-movie cliche” and plays “like a 127-minute trailer montage.”

“This is a frustratingly shallow, inert picture, a kind of cruise-ship entertainment, which can’t quite bring itself to show that Michael was an abuse victim, brutalized by his father and robbed of his childhood,” he wrote, referencing allegations against the king of pop.

The Michael Jackson’s Nephew Hits Back At Cash Grab Claims first appeared on The Blast