Jaafar Jackson debunks myth about uncle Michael Jackson wanting 'to be white', points to vitiligo

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Jaafar Jackson is setting the record straight about one of the most talked-about myths surrounding his uncle, Michael Jackson.

During a chat with 'Dancing With the Stars' judge Derek Hough, Jaafar was asked about the biggest misconception people still have about the King of Pop. After thinking for a moment, he pointed to a long-running rumor that Michael wanted 'to be white', making it clear that the claim is simply not true. 

The 29-year-old is stepping into his uncle’s shoes for the highly anticipated biopic 'Michael', which arrives in theaters on Friday, April 24.

Jaafar Jackson talks about uncle Michael over a 'misconception'

The much-anticipated film 'Michael' premiered on April 20, drawing major attention, and now Jaafar used the moment to address a long-standing rumor about his uncle. While on the red carpet, Jaafar was asked about the biggest misconception people still have about Michael, the first-time actor didn’t hold back.

As per The Mirror, he shared that his uncle was beyond any color and continued, "That's a big misconception, and this film gives you that understanding of what that is, you know, what that vitiligo played a part in his life and not a lot of people really understand what that is. And he was dealing with that from an early age."

The premiere has also renewed curiosity around Michael’s iconic style, including the story behind his signature one-glove look. Michael had vitiligo, a long-term condition that affects skin pigmentation. He was diagnosed in the 1980s, and over time, it led to noticeable changes in his skin tone. 

Michael Jackson's glove and the skin condition

Rumors once spread widely, accusing Michael Jackson of trying to lighten his skin. But the pop icon addressed those claims himself during a 1993 interview with Oprah Winfrey, firmly denying that he was bleaching his skin, as per The Mirror.

Michael explained that changes in his skin began not long after the 'Thriller' era in 1982, when patches started appearing. By 1983, during his performance at the 'Motown 25' special, he introduced what would become one of his most iconic fashion choices, the sparkling single glove.

According to The Mirror, actress Cicely Tyson said the glove had a deeper purpose. Speaking in a CNN interview, she revealed, "All of a sudden, (my designer) said to me, 'I'm doing this glove for Michael,'"

She added, "Well, Michael was beginning to develop vitiligo, and it started on his hand. The glove was to camouflage it. That's how that glove came into being." When asked how she knew this, Cicely replied, "I was there when he was creating it."