Silke Jasso
After bashing the decision to cast Joseph Fiennes as Michael Jackson in Sky Arts’ “Urban Myths,” it’s no surprise that Jackson’s daughter, Paris, and nephew, Taj, were pleased to hear that the network would not be airing the first episode.
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“I’m surprised the family’s feelings were actually taken into consideration for once, we all really do appreciate it more than y’all know,” Paris Jackson wrote on Twitter on Friday.
https://twitter.com/ParisJackson/status/820006686916083712
Her cousin, Taj, son of Jackson’s brother Tito, echoed her relief, tweeting, “Thank you to the fans, you continue to fight for my Uncle Michael’s legacy. And thank you to the media, for covering the extreme backlash.”
Thank you to the fans, you continue to fight for my Uncle Michael's legacy. And thank you to the media, for covering the extreme backlash.
— Taj Jackson (@tajjackson3) January 13, 2017
In addition to Jackson’s family members, fans all over the world were outraged that a white actor was chosen to portray the African-American music legend. The U.K.-based Sky Arts took notice of the negative reactions and canceled the show “in light of the concerns expressed by Michael Jackson’s immediate family.”
“We set out to take a light-hearted look at reportedly true events and never intended to cause any offence,” Sky Arts had said in its statement. “Joseph Fiennes fully supports our decision.” The first episode was to center around a rumored road trip taken by Michael Jackson, Elizabeth Taylor and Marlon Brando.
Fiennes also commented on the matter, saying, “The decision with the casting and the producers—I wrangled with it, I was confused and shocked at what might come my way. And I knew the sensitivity, especially to Michael’s fans and to Michael’s family. It doesn’t negate who he was.”
