Nia Long and Jaafar Jackson shared one of the night’s most heartfelt moments at the 2026 BET Awards whilst celebrating the incredible success of Michael.
According to Deadline, the co-stars took the stage to present the award for Best Male R&B/Pop Artist, which was won by Leon Thomas. Before announcing the winner, the pair paused to thank audiences for the overwhelming support the Michael Jackson biopic has received since its release, earning loud applause from the crowd.
Jaafar, who made his feature film debut portraying his late uncle Michael Jackson, expressed his gratitude to fans for embracing the movie. “We’re so grateful for the love you all showed to our movie,” he said. “You guys have the theaters packed. We’re truly so humbled. Your support means the world to the Jackson family.” His remarks reflected just how much the film’s record-breaking success has meant to everyone involved.
Long, who plays Katherine Jackson in the film, followed with an emotional tribute to her co-star. According to Deadline, she told Jaafar, “It was an honor watching you transform into your uncle right before our eyes,” praising the commitment and dedication he brought to one of the year’s most talked-about performances. The touching exchange highlighted the strong bond the cast developed while bringing the Jackson family’s story to the screen.
Their appearance at the BET Awards came as Michael continues its remarkable box office run, cementing its place as one of the biggest films of 2026. Rather than focusing solely on the movie’s success, Long and Jackson used the moment to thank the fans whose support has helped turn the biopic into a cultural phenomenon, making their appearance one of the evening’s most memorable moments.
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