Prince Jackson paid a deeply personal tribute to his late father, Michael Jackson, during the Los Angeles premiere of the new biopic “Michael” — and every detail of his look carried meaning.
Walking the red carpet on April 20, Prince wore a sleek black suit accented with a striking red armband.
But the accessory wasn’t just a stylistic choice — it was a direct connection to his childhood memories.
Prince Revealed the Touching Tribute
In a Thursday, April 23, interview with ABC News, Prince spoke about the touching tribute.
“Michael Bush was the costume designer for my father; he designed the suit that I was wearing,” Prince explained in the interview. “And actually, the armband was made out of the fabric that my dad would always wear — the red corduroy shirt. And that was my childhood, like if I hugged my father, that was what he was wearing.”
The tribute added an emotional layer to an already meaningful evening, as Prince honored not only his father’s legacy but also the personal moments that defined their relationship.
He extended that tribute beyond himself by bringing a group of children from his nonprofit, Heal Los Angeles, to the premiere.
The organization supports underserved youth across the Los Angeles area, and each child in attendance wore a matching red armband featuring the foundation’s logo.
Prince told the outlet that including the kids in the tribute meant “so much” to him, blending his father’s lifelong dedication to helping children with his own ongoing work in the community.
The red armband has long been associated with Michael Jackson, who often wore it as a symbol tied to humanitarian efforts.
Prince and his younger brother Bigi Jackson also wore similar armbands at the film’s Berlin premiere earlier this month, continuing the symbolic nod across global events celebrating the film.
A Powerful Reaction to Jaafar Jackson’s Performance
Beyond the fashion tribute, the night also brought an emotional moment for Prince as he reflected on seeing his cousin, Jaafar Jackson, portray his father on screen.
“The first time that I saw him in person, in his hair and makeup, was really an emotional shock,” Prince added. “Because I had not seen my father in a long time.”
Prince, who was just 12 when Michael Jackson died in 2009, said the resemblance was almost overwhelming.
“Jaafar just embodied him, and brought him back in that moment,” he said, admitting he initially struggled to keep his composure. “I really just wanted to give him a hug,” he added, noting he had to step away briefly to process the experience.
Despite the emotional weight, Prince made sure to express his pride. “As family, we’re very supportive and every bit confident that Jaafar would perform, but I’m happy to say, I think that Jaafar greatly exceeded our expectations,” he said. “I am blown away by what he has done here.”
The response echoes praise from other members of the Jackson family, who have also spoken highly of Jaafar’s portrayal ahead of the film’s release.
As anticipation builds for “Michael,” Prince’s tribute serves as a reminder that the film is more than just a retelling of a global icon’s career.
