Jaafar Jackson’s Met Gala debut was more than a fashion statement — it was a tribute to his late uncle, Michael Jackson, and a showcase of his own rising star power.
On May 4, the 29-year-old actor stepped onto the iconic Metropolitan Museum of Art stairs for his first-ever Met Gala appearance, just days after his film Michael opened to a strong $300 million worldwide debut.
Dressed in a black velvet Ralph Lauren suit accented with gold detailing, paired with a bow tie, red socks, and ballet-style flats, Jaafar balanced the evening’s “Fashion Is Art” theme with a subtle nod to the King of Pop’s signature aesthetic. “It has a timeless feel, and it just felt right when I had it on,” he told Vogue’s Ashley Graham and Cara Delevingne during the red-carpet livestream, adding that the look also earned approval from his fiancée, Maddie Simpson.
This year’s gala, co-chaired by Beyoncé, Nicole Kidman, Venus Williams, and Anna Wintour, spotlighted “Costume Art,” an exhibition curated by Andrew Bolton exploring the relationship between clothing and the human body.
In Michael, Jaafar portrays his uncle across defining eras of his career, recreating some of Michael Jackson’s most recognizable looks — from Thriller and Beat It to tour costumes and the infamous Pepsi commercial outfit. Costume designer Marci Rodgers meticulously recreated each ensemble to preserve authenticity, offering audiences a visual return to Jackson’s global rise and cultural impact.
