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Kat Graham has spoken out after her scenes portraying Diana Ross were removed from the upcoming Michael film, citing behind-the-scenes legal complications.
Ahead of the film’s April 24 release, the actress confirmed that although she had filmed scenes alongside the cast, they did not make it into the final version.
Ahead of the film’s April 24 release, the actress confirmed that although she had filmed scenes alongside the cast, they did not make it into the final version.
“Ahead of the April 24 release of the Michael Jackson film, I want to share that certain legal considerations affected a few scenes, including the ones I filmed with an incredible cast,” she said in a statement shared on social media.
“Unfortunately, those moments are no longer part of the Final Cut, though the team worked hard to preserve as much of the story as possible.”
The film, directed by Antoine Fuqua, stars Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson and traces the late star’s rise from his early days with the Jackson 5 through his solo career.
While Ross played a notable role in Jackson’s real-life journey, her absence in the film reflects significant last-minute changes during production.
Reports indicate the biopic underwent major edits and reshoots after legal concerns emerged around how certain past allegations involving Jackson could be depicted. A prior settlement reportedly restricted the dramatization of specific claims, forcing filmmakers to rework parts of the storyline.
Although Graham did not directly link her scenes to those changes, her role appears to have been affected by the broader restructuring of the film.
Despite the cuts, the production has hinted that unused footage may not be lost entirely. There are discussions about potentially incorporating scenes that didn’t make the final version into a future sequel, with the film itself ending on a note suggesting the story will continue.
The cast also includes Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson, Nia Long as Katherine Jackson, and Miles Teller as music executive John Branca, among others.
