Skip to Search Skip to Live Player Skip to Content Skip to Footer

Music News

Music News

Music News

Nia Long To Play Katherine Jackson In ‘Michael’ Biopic

Author Autumn Hawkins
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 12: Nia Long attends the Stage 6 and Screen Gems world premiere of "Missing" at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Downtown Los Angeles on January 12, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.

Nia Long will portray Katherine Jackson, the late Michael Jackson’s mother, in the upcoming biographical drama Michael.

“Katherine Jackson is an incredible pillar of strength and grace for the entire Jackson family,” Long said about the role, per Variety. “As a mother, she was selfless and endured forces beyond her control yet still managed to help build a legacy beyond measure.”

“I’ve been a fan for a long time because her characters stay with you,” director Antoine Fuqua, said in a statement to the publication of Long. “I’m excited to now work alongside her as she pours all of that into Katherine Jackson: a woman who was the glue, the rock, and the heart of the Jackson family during its best and its most turbulent times.”

“Beyond Nia’s incredible talent, I was deeply moved by her connection to the material and her commitment to honoring Katherine and the love she had for her son,” producer Graham King said in a statement.

Long is known for her roles in Boyz ‘n The Hood, Love Jones, The Best Man, and more.

Colman Domingo To Play Jackson Patriarch Joe Jackson

This role announcement follows the news that Colman Domingo will star as Michael’s father, the late Joe Jackson.

“It’s exciting to do it with Jaafar,” Domingo told Variety in an upcoming episode of the Awards Circuit Podcast referring to Michael Jackson’s nephew. “Jermaine Jackson’s son is playing Michael, and he is breathtaking, and I think Graham King, the producer, has assembled an incredible cast.”

“I’m excited to be a part of a film that explores both the complicated soul of the legendary Michael Jackson as well as his impact on music and culture as a global icon,” he added in a previous statement. “Not only am I fortunate to have a rich, complex and flawed character to portray in Joe Jackson, but I also have a front row seat for Jaafar’s incredible transformation.”

Domingo scored his first Oscars nomination this week for his role as civil rights leader Bayard Rustin in George C. Wolfe’s Rustin.

Michael is set to have its theatrical release on April 18, 2025.

Nia Long: 8 Best Acting Roles, Ranked

  • 8. Friday (1995)

    Nia played Debbie in Friday and proved that she was just as tough as the guys. Her role wasn’t large but one of the pivotal scenes with her character was when she stood up to Deebo, who everyone in the neighborhood was seemingly afraid of (while they’d never admit it publicly). The film stars Ice Cube, Chris Tucker, Tom Lister Jr., John Witherspoon, Regina King, Anna Maria Horsford, and more. You can watch Friday on Amazon Prime Video and Max (formerly known as HBO).

  • 7. Boyz n the Hood (1991)

    Nia got her big break as Brandi in John Singleton’s Boyz n the Hood. The film is based in Singleton’s home city of Compton, Calif. and was his directorial debut. Brandi is Tre’s (Cuba Gooding Jr.) love interest in the film. The film also stars Angela Bassett, Laurence Fishburne, Morris Chestnut, Ice Cube, and more. Singleton was nominated for two Oscars for the film. You can watch Boyz n the Hood on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and YouTube.

  • 6. Are We There Yet? Film Series (2005, 2007)

    Nia plays Suzanne King in Are We There Yet? King gets hit on by Nick Persons (Ice Cube) who later finds out she has two kids whose dad just bailed on them. Determined to impress King, he finds himself volunteering to accompany them on a road trip. The comedic film got a sequel titled Are We Done Yet? two years after the original’s release date. The film also stars Aleisha Allen, Philip Bolden, and Tracy Morgan. You can watch Are We There Yet? on Max (formerly known as HBO), Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video.

  • 5. Soul Food (1997)

    The film Soul Food is about keeping traditions alive. After the death of their mother, sisters who constantly bicker over the little things are trying to keep their Sunday dinner traditions of soul food, bringing everyone together. Nia plays Bird, the youngest daughter who married an ex-con.
    The film stars Vanessa Williams, Vivica A. Fox, Michael Beach, Mekhi Phifer, Mel Jackson, Jeffrey D. Sams, Irma P. Hall, and more. You can watch Soul Food on Amazon Prime Video.

  • 4. Big Momma's House Film Series (2000, 2006)

    In Big Mommas House, Nia portrayed Sherry Pierce, a central point in the FBI operation to catch an ex-con. Pierce is the ex-girlfriend of the ex-con that the undercover FBI is trying to catch. Lo and behold, the FBI agent is dressed as Big Momma (played by Martin Lawrence) and falls in love with Pierce. Big Momma goes on another adventure in Big Momma’s House 2, which was released in 2006. The film also stars Paul Giamatti, Terrance Howard, Jascha Washington, Anthony Anderson, and more. You can stream Big Momma’s House on Disney+.

  • 3. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1991 - 1995)

    While Nia was first introduced as Claudia Prescott in season two, she would return for 15 more episodes as Will Smith’s girlfriend Lisa Wilkes in season five. The series was the first time Nia was a regular for most of an entire season and helped prove her comedic timing and acting abilities. The additional series starred James Avery, Alfonso Ribeiro, Tatyana Ali, Karyn Parsons, Joseph Marcell, Janet Hubert, Daphne Reid, Ross Bagley, and DJ Jazzy Jeff. A reboot of the series was announced in 2022 which is simply titled as Bel-Air. You can stream The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air on Hulu, Paramount+, Max (formerly known as HBO Max).

  • 2. The Best Man Series (1999, 2013, 2022)

    College friends who turned into family and reunite for the wedding of Lance Sullivan (Morris Chestnut) and Mia Morgan (Monica Calhoun). Sullivan finds out that Harper Stewart (Taye Diggs), his best friend and best man has written his best-selling novel based on his future wife’s past escapades as well as the group’s dynamic and hell breaks loose. Nia plays the role of Jordan Armstrong who is drawn to Stewart although he is in a relationship with Robin (Sanaa Lathan). The series has a sequel and a tv series that displayed the friendships into their adulthood. The film and series tv series also stars Terrance Howard, Melissa De Sousa, and Regina Hall.

  • 1. Love Jones (1997)

    Love Jones is a cult classic. Early into Nia’s career she was cast as Nina Mosely, a budding photographer who meets Darius Lovehall, a poet who is infatuated with Mosely the moment he meets her. While Mosely is Lovehall’s love interest, her character is not just a pretty face to be admired. Mosely is layered and she has her own hopes and desires, which Nia portrayed in a captivating way. Nia proved that she could command a co-leading role with this film. Love Jones also stars Isaiah Washington, Lisa Nicole Carson, Bill Bellamy, Khalil Kain, and more. You can stream Love Jones on Max (formerly known as HBO Max), Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, and YouTube.

Autumn Hawkins is the National Hip-Hop and R&B writer for Beasley Media, currently residing in New Jersey. Prior to working at Beasley Media, she was in broadcast news as an entertainment producer. When she's not impatiently waiting for Beyoncé to drop new music, she is reading, shopping, or planning a vacation.

Get The Foxy 99 Big Hittas Club Newsletter Delivered To Your Inbox

Get the latest music, entertainment, and local stories, plus exclusive contests, games, and more.

*
By clicking "Subscribe" I agree to the website's terms of Service and Privacy Policy. I understand I can unsubscribe at any time.
Author Autumn Hawkins
Category:
Tags:

More Celebs

Load More