By Isabelle Wilson-
Nearly 17 years after his death, Michael Jackson has achieved something few entertainers in history have managed: he has once again become one of the most commercially dominant figures in global popular culture.
The remarkable success of “Michael,” the long-awaited biopic chronicling the rise of the self-styled King of Pop, has reignited fascination with one of the most celebrated and controversial figures modern entertainment has ever produced.
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Having surpassed $900 million at the global box office and closing in on the record held by “Bohemian Rhapsody” as the highest-grossing musical biopic of all time, the film has demonstrated that Jackson’s appeal remains extraordinarily powerful.
The movie’s release to streaming platforms has only extended its reach, introducing his story to younger audiences while drawing millions of long-time fans back into the orbit of an artist whose influence continues to shape music, dance and celebrity culture.
Yet, the success of “Michael” has also exposed a question that has lingered ever since Jackson’s death in 2009. Whether the story of Michael Jackson ever be told without confronting the allegations of child sexual abuse that continue to divide public opinion decades after they first emerged?
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The film itself largely avoids the issue. Starring Jackson’s nephew Jaafar Jackson in a performance widely praised for capturing his uncle’s appearance and stage presence, “Michael” traces the singer’s journey from child prodigy in the Jackson Five to the global superstardom of the 1980s. It charts the creation of cultural landmarks such as “Thriller,” “Bad” and “Off the Wall,” documenting how a shy performer from Gary, Indiana became arguably the most famous entertainer on the planet.
But the film’s timeline stops before 1993, the year Jackson first faced allegations of child sexual abuse from 13-year-old Jordan Chandler. That decision has become one of the most debated aspects of the production.
The choice undoubtedly makes narrative sense for Jackson’s supporters. They argue that the film is intended to chronicle his rise and artistic achievements rather than provide a comprehensive account of every controversy that followed.
However, the omission highlights the difficulty of separating Jackson’s extraordinary artistic accomplishments from the allegations that transformed public perceptions of him during the latter part of his life.
The timing of the biopic’s success can only intensified the debate. While “Michael” has dominated cinemas and streaming charts, another production has been attracting attention for almost entirely different reasons. Netflix’s documentary series “Michael Jackson: The Verdict” revisits Jackson’s 2005 criminal trial, during which he faced allegations of child molestation and was ultimately acquitted on all charges.
The documentary has rapidly become one of the streaming platform’s most-watched programmes, attracting millions of viewers eager to revisit one of the most sensational celebrity trials in modern history. Featuring jurors, prosecutors and witnesses involved in the case, the series presents a stark contrast to the celebratory tone of the biopic.
Together, the two productions create a fascinating portrait of how Jackson’s legacy continues to exist in two parallel worlds. In one, he is remembered as a revolutionary artist who transformed music videos, redefined live performance and sold hundreds of millions of records. In the other, he remains a deeply controversial figure whose personal conduct continues to provoke fierce debate. Few public figures have inspired such dramatically different interpretations.
The commercial success of “Michael” suggests that, for many audiences, Jackson’s artistic legacy remains remarkably resilient. Music industry analysts have noted that his catalogue continues to generate enormous streaming figures despite years of controversy. Songs recorded more than four decades ago continue to attract new listeners, while younger generations who never witnessed his cultural dominance firsthand are discovering his music through social media, streaming services and now the biopic itself.
Historically, this phenomenon is unusual. Many celebrities whose reputations become associated with serious allegations experience lasting commercial decline. Jackson’s case has proven more complicated. While public opinion has undoubtedly shifted since the peak of his fame, his music remains deeply embedded in global culture. Tracks such as “Billie Jean,” “Beat It” and “Thriller” continue to receive extensive radio play and feature prominently in popular culture.
Part of this enduring appeal stems from the sheer scale of Jackson’s achievements. During the 1980s, he reached a level of fame few entertainers have ever approached. “Thriller” remains one of the best-selling albums in history. His music videos revolutionised the medium. His dance moves became globally recognisable. His influence stretched far beyond music into fashion, advertising and entertainment.
The challenge for any modern assessment of Jackson is that these achievements exist alongside allegations that many people regard as impossible to ignore.
The 1993 allegations brought by Jordan Chandler ended in a civil settlement but no criminal conviction. Later allegations led to Jackson’s highly publicised 2005 criminal trial, where he was acquitted on all charges. Following his death, further accusations emerged, including those featured in the documentary “Leaving Neverland,” which reignited international debate about his conduct.
Supporters point to the acquittal and the absence of any criminal conviction as evidence that Jackson should not be judged guilty in the court of public opinion. Critics argue that legal outcomes do not necessarily settle broader moral questions. The result is a cultural stalemate that shows little sign of ending.
The success of “Michael” therefore reflects something larger than simple nostalgia. It demonstrates the extraordinary complexity of Jackson’s place in public consciousness. Audiences appear capable of simultaneously celebrating his artistic accomplishments while remaining aware of the controversies that surrounded him. Whether that represents forgiveness, compartmentalisation or simple admiration for his music depends largely on the viewer.
What is beyond dispute is that the biopic has reignited discussion about Jackson in a way few productions could. Rather than closing the debate over his legacy, it has reopened it for a new generation. Social media platforms, newspaper columns and television discussions have once again become battlegrounds where fans and critics contest competing versions of the same story.
This dynamic may ultimately explain why Jackson remains such a powerful cultural figure nearly two decades after his death. Most celebrities fade from public conversation over time. Jackson continues to provoke fascination because he embodies one of modern culture’s most difficult questions: how should society evaluate artistic greatness when it exists alongside deeply troubling allegations?
The answer remains elusive.
For some, “Michael” is proof that Jackson’s musical genius will ultimately define how history remembers him. For others, any account that does not fully grapple with the allegations risks presenting an incomplete portrait of one of the most complicated figures in entertainment history.
What the biopic’s box-office triumph unquestionably reveals is that public interest in Michael Jackson remains enormous. The crowds flocking to cinemas, the millions streaming documentaries and the continuing debates over his life all point to the same conclusion. Even in death, Jackson remains one of the most influential, discussed and divisive cultural figures of the modern age.
The real significance of “Michael” may therefore lie not in whether it rehabilitates his reputation or settles long-standing arguments. Instead, it demonstrates that the battle over Michael Jackson’s legacy is far from over. Nearly 17 years after his death, the world is still trying to decide whether he should be remembered primarily as a musical revolutionary, a deeply controversial celebrity, or both at the same time.
The extraordinary commercial success of the biopic suggests that millions of people remain willing to engage with his story. The question that continues to haunt that story is whether audiences are embracing the man, the music, or simply the enduring mystery that surrounds one of popular culture’s most extraordinary lives.
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