Jaafar Jackson Hopes ‘Michael’ Sequel Will Give ‘More Insight’ Into Allegations From Singer’s ‘Point of View’

"It’s someone else’s story. It’s someone else’s idea of what it is, and it’s mainly driven by an agenda. And that’s really the issue we’ve been having as a family – not having Michael’s voice being heard," actor says

Jaafar Jackson

Jaafar Jackson, Michael Jackson’s nephew who starred in the biopic about the King of Pop, has shared his thoughts on the Michael sequel and how he hopes the film will tackle the multiple child sexual abuse allegations against the singer.

While the script for the Michael sequel is still in development, Jaafar told GQ Middle East, “I think the second film will give even more insight from his point of view, because at the end of the day, [the allegations] are always from someone else’s.”

Jaafar Jackson added of the accusations of child sexual abuse against Michael, “It’s someone else’s story. It’s someone else’s idea of what it is, and it’s mainly driven by an agenda. And that’s really the issue we’ve been having as a family – not having Michael’s voice being heard. I think that’s very, very important, especially in the late years.”

Michael, which became the highest-grossing biopic ever at the box office despite the controversies surrounding the singer, ended with the release of Bad. The film initially touched on the 1993 allegations against the singer, but a binding legal clause in the $20 million settlement with one accuser forced producers to scrap the third act, rewrite the script, reshoot, and end the first film in 1987.

It’s unclear whether the sequel will sidestep the 1993 accusations and instead tackle some of the other allegations against Jackson — including those revealed in the documentary Leaving Neverland — or if the child sexual abuse allegations will be totally ignored, with the film instead just focusing on the latter third of Michael’s musical career.

“This first film focuses on Michael from his roots,” Jaafar Jackson added. “So you get that idea of who he was before he had all the success and became the icon that people are familiar with, you understand who he was as a human being first, because at the end of the day, that’s who he was in the ’90s until he passed. He never changed that purity, that sense of always wanting to find the good in other people. And no matter all the stuff he went through, how he was treated, what things were said about him, he never stopped treating people with kindness. He never stopped believing in and wanting to look for the good in people… even though he was broken, his heart still stayed the same… I hope that this is felt in the second movie.”

Jaafar continued, “There’s been so many stories told about Michael from so many different people. This is to tell Michael’s story finally from the point of view of himself. There’s so much more to Michael’s story. There’s so much to who Michael was and how he expressed himself.”

The DEA joined the investigation into the death of actress Hayden Panettiere.

The investigation into the shocking death of Hayden Panettiere has been joined by the Drug Enforcement Administration, a source familiar with the matter told The New York Times.

ABC, which also confirmed the news, stated that the Greenville City Police Department in South Carolina remains the lead investigative agency, and the DEA is assisting.

Greenville police “accompanied by EMS personnel, responded to a report of an unresponsive female” on Sunday (Aug. 16), according to a statement given to NBC News. “Upon arrival, medical assistance was administered; however, the individual, later identified as Hayden Panettiere, was pronounced deceased at the scene.”

On a dispatch audio obtained by People, officials on the call discussed an “overdose” and “cardiac arrest” around the time of Panettiere’s death.

An autopsy was “completed” Monday (Aug. 17), and “no signs of trauma were discovered that would have contributed to the death,” Coroner Mike Ellis said in a statement to People earlier this week. “The cause and manner of death remain pending further investigation and the completion of additional studies. This investigation remains active and ongoing. No further details are available for release at this time.”

Panettiere had long been candid about her struggles navigating child stardom and the rampant sexual harassment and abuse in the entertainment industry. In her memoir, This Is Me: A Reckoning, Panettiere also discussed postpartum depression, addiction, and domestic abuse. In the book, the star detailed her prolific and sometimes difficult career in show business; growing up under the harsh light of Hollywood; and the highs and lows of filming hit TV shows like Heroes and Nashville, and more.

New details have emerged surrounding the shocking death of Hayden Panetierre on Sunday.

Police in Greenville, South Carolina, “accompanied by EMS personnel, responded to a report of an unresponsive female” Sunday afternoon, according to a statement given to NBC News. “Upon arrival, medical assistance was administered; however, the individual, later identified as Hayden Panettiere, was pronounced deceased at the scene.”

Police said the case is under investigation by the Greenville Police Department in conjunction with the Greenville County Coroner’s Office. “A preliminary investigation has not indicated any signs of foul play or suspicious circumstances.”

According to dispatch audio obtained by People, officials on the call discussed an “overdose” and “cardiac arrest” around the time of Panettiere’s death. “I don’t have any more information at this time, but it’s looking as though that is the case,” a rep for Panettiere told People.

Further details, including who she was with or who made the 911 call, are still unknown. TMZ reports that after first responders arrived on the scene, they attempted to resuscitate Panettiere using CPR and “advanced cardiac life support.” Panettiere was reportedly pronounced dead around 2:30 p.m. on Sunday.

“It is with profound sadness that we share the tragic passing of our beloved Hayden. She was an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable love and joy to all who knew her — and to the millions who watched her onscreen,” said her father, Skip Panettiere, in a statement to Rolling Stone provided by the actress’ representative. “We ask for privacy as our family takes time to process this unimaginable loss.” Details surrounding her death are currently unknown.

Panettiere was known for her broad-ranging film and television roles in Remember the Titans, Heroes, Raising Helen, Scream 4, Scream VI, Ice Princess, I Love You, Beth Cooper, and Nashville. She had long been candid about her struggles navigating child stardom and fame, often opening up about her experiences with severe postpartum depression, substance abuse, and anxiety.

Tiffany Haddish at the Fanatics Fest NYC 2026 on July 18, 2026.

Tiffany Haddish lit up with one of her signature smiles Tuesday when a judge said she would serve “no more jail time” after pleading guilty to a single count of driving under the influence in Georgia.

The actress and comedian appeared by video at the court hearing in Fayette County as she accepted responsibility for the January 2022 incident where someone called 911 about a driver asleep at the wheel at a traffic light. In video of the hearing, obtained by The Associated Press, Haddish grinned broadly as the judge said all other charges would be dropped, based on the recommendation of prosecutors.

Haddish was officially sentenced to 12 months of probation and 24 hours in jail, though she was credited with time served. Under the terms of her probation, she must avoid drugs and alcohol, submit to testing, complete 40 hours of community service, undergo a substance abuse evaluation, and complete a DUI counseling program.

The performer who won a Grammy for her 2019 comedy album Black Mitzvah was arrested in January 2022 after she was pulled over driving a white Ford Explorer south of Atlanta. The 911 caller reportedly claimed someone had been passed out in the driver’s seat of the SUV, with their foot on the brake, in Peachtree City.

Haddish was arrested again in November 2023 in Beverly Hills, California, on suspicion of driving under the influence. In that case, police said they responded to a call of a person blocking a roadway, possibly slumped over the wheel. The officers encountered Haddish and took her into custody.

Known for her roles in the 2017 buddy movie Girls Trip and the Disney comedy Haunted Mansion, Haddish had just performed at the Laugh Factory’s 43rd annual free Thanksgiving feast and party. She was on her way to deliver food to a friend when she was pulled over, she later explained on Jimmy Kimmel Live. She ended up pleading no contest to a reduced charge of reckless driving and was ordered to serve one year of probation and complete 40 hours of community service, a driver’s education course, and the Mother’s Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Victim Impact Program.

“Ms. Haddish has agreed to a simple vehicle code violation — not driving under the influence, which has been dismissed — and looks forward to this being behind her,” her lawyer Alex Spiro, also known for representing Jay-Z, Megan Thee Stallion, and Alec Baldwin, told Rolling Stone at the time.

Kevin Jonas, Nick Jonas, Demi Lovato, and Joe Jonas (from left) at the ‘Camp Rock 3’ premiere

Demi Lovato will officially appear in the upcoming Disney Channel Original Movie Camp Rock 3. The singer is reprising her role as Mitchie Torres from the first two films, 2008’s Camp Rock and 2010’s Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam, which spawned Lovato’s popular collaborations with the Jonas Brothers, “This Is Me” and “Wouldn’t Change a Thing.”

Camp Rock 3 finds the Jonas Brothers returning as fictional band Connect 3, who are looking for a new opening act. That search brings them back to Camp Rock, where a fresh set of campers are ready to show their stuff.

Joe Jonas, Nick Jonas, and Kevin Jonas were previously confirmed to be returning when the film was announced last year. At the time, Lovato was only mentioned as an executive producer. Ahead of the premiere, Lovato shared a photo of herself in the film and wrote, “Y’all miss me? xoxo, Mitchie.”

“We wanted to find the right balance of how much she should be in the film and what Mitchie’s involvement looked like,” director Veronica Rodriguez told The Hollywood Reporter. “Her character literally says in the movie, to her mom, ‘This isn’t about me, it’s about them. It’s their time to shine. This is the new generation of campers.’ With Mitchie and Connect 3, we wanted them to be ingrained and necessary for the story but also leave enough room and space for the world to fall in love with the new generation of campers.”

Camp Rock 3 premieres on Disney Channel on Aug. 13 and will be available to stream the next day on Disney+. The new cast members include Liamani Segura, Malachi Barton, Lumi Pollack, Sherry Cola, Hudson Stone, Casey Trotter, Brooklynn Pitts, and Ava Jean. Maria Canals-Barrera reprises her role as Connie, Mitchie’s mom.

The soundtrack to Camp Rock 3, out Aug. 13, includes a new song from the Jonas Brothers called “Come On Over.”

Heated Rivalry breakout star Hudson Williams and comedy icon Chris Rock are among the biggest names joining TIFF’s 2026 In Conversation With… series, which will bring some of film and television's biggest figures to the stage for live discussions during this year’s festival.

Williams, who skyrocketed to international fame last year after playing Shane Hollander in the Crave series Heated Rivalry, will take part in a Making Waves With… conversation through TIFF Next Wave. He is also set to discuss his role in the upcoming series YAGA and the independent feature Apparatus, as well as the short films and creative collaborations that shaped his career.

Chris Rock will also appear at the Toronto International Film Festival world premiere of his latest film, Misty Green. The Emmy and Grammy-winning comedian, actor, writer, director and producer will reflect on his decades-long career, from Saturday Night Live and groundbreaking stand-up specials to films including Top Five and Good Hair.

The lineup also includes Korean superstar Lee Min-ho, Oscar-nominated cinematographer and filmmaker Rachel Morrison, and Ripley and Fleabag star Andrew Scott, who will discuss their careers and latest projects.

TIFF ’26 runs September 10 to 20 in Toronto, and tickets for In Conversation With… go on sale August 31st.