Turns out Joe Jackson could moonwalk too — or at least the actor who plays him can.
Oscar-nominated actor Colman Domingo appears on The Jennifer Hudson Show on Wednesday (April 22) alongside actors Jaafar Jackson and Juliano Valdi to talk about their new Michael Jackson biopic Michael. In a sit-down interview with Hudson, the three movie stars talk about preparing for their roles, sharing what they learned about Michael Jackson in the process and, in a special moment, showing off a few of their best MJ dance moves.
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“I was given a lot of notes, private notes of Michael’s, his journaling,” shares Jaafar, who not only plays the role of Michael Jackson in the film, but is also Michael’s real-life nephew. “And that really opened up my mind to feel how he was feeling in a lot of those moments.”
Jaafar also spoke about how “deeply sensitive” Michael was toward the needs of others around the world and how he wanted to use his music to bring people together.
Valdi, who plays young Michael in the film, echoed a similar sentiment about the late King of Pop. “Something that surprised me, just knowing how hard Michael worked, even at a young age,” Valdi says. “He would wake up early or stay up really late just to perfect his singing and dancing.”
Domingo, who took on the role of Michael’s father Joe Jackson in the movie, expressed his pride toward his two fellow actors and what it was like when he first began working with them.
“Literally the moment I went out there, I felt very protective because I saw such a high level of talent and heart,” Domingo says of the first time he saw Jaafar and Valdi on set performing. “And I still feel that way.”
After speaking with the actors about working with one another, Hudson requested to see Valdi’s moonwalk. Of course he obliged, impressing Hudson and the audience.
“This one’s gonna be playing huge concerts in like five minutes. Huge concerts, just watch,” Domingo says after Valdi sits back down.
After a little more heartfelt conversation amongst the group, Hudson had one more question for Domingo specifically: “Can you moonwalk?”
“My moonwalk is not as live,” Domingo says, getting up and doing the dance and tossing in a few more of Michael’s famous moves.
Michael will be released in theaters on Friday. Watch Colman Domingo, Jaafar Jackson and Juliano Valdi’s interview on The Jennifer Hudson Show before it premieres in full on Wednesday below.
