The Voice of a Legend: How Michael Blends Nephew and Uncle
In the upcoming Michael Jackson biopic Michael, Jaafar Jackson (Michael Jackson's nephew) portrays the singer, with Juliano Valdi playing a young 10-year-old Jackson. The film blends live vocals performed on set with original Michael Jackson recordings.
Vocal Production
Music supervisor John Warhurst stated that the approach was similar to a live musical, with actors singing on set. For scenes where no original recording exists—such as Jaafar scatting in the studio for "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" or Valdi recording initial takes for "I Want You Back"—the actors' voices are used. When an original recording is available, Michael's voice becomes dominant.
Decision to Include Original Vocals
The team discussed using only the actors' vocals but decided that audiences would prefer to hear Michael Jackson's voice in the film. Warhurst noted that Jaafar and Valdi were capable of delivering convincing vocals, but the final blend prioritizes Michael's recordings for consistency.
Technical Process
- Live Recording: Actors performed songs on set with microphones and headphones, capturing multiple takes.
- Post-Production: The team blended 15-20 takes from the actors with Michael Jackson's original recordings, depending on the scene.
- No AI Use: Warhurst confirmed no AI tools were used, relying on traditional audio processing (EQ, compression, reverb).
"The approach was similar to a live musical." — John Warhurst, Music Supervisor
Comparison to Bohemian Rhapsody
Warhurst compared the process to his Oscar-winning work on Bohemian Rhapsody, where Rami Malek's voice was deeper than Freddie Mercury's, requiring a sound-alike singer (Marc Martel). For Michael, Jaafar's voice is naturally close to his uncle's in range and sound, simplifying the blend.
Key Details
- Jaafar Jackson and Juliano Valdi both received vocal coaching before filming.
- Live singing was favored over lip-syncing to maintain visual energy and authenticity.
- The actors sang songs multiple times per day for different camera angles, requiring sustained intensity.