Universal Pictures (International)
A major change behind the scenes has reshaped one of the most talked-about music biopics of the year. Kat Graham has now addressed why her scenes as Diana Ross are missing from Michael, revealing how legal hurdles forced filmmakers to rethink key parts of the story.
Kat Graham opens up about being cut from Michael movie
Graham confirmed that her role as Diana Ross was removed from the final version of Michael. In a message shared ahead of the film’s release, she explained that “certain legal considerations” led to several scenes being cut, including her own. She added that while it was disappointing, the team tried to keep as much of the story intact as possible despite the changes.
“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,” Graham posted on social media. The cuts are tied to bigger issues the film faced during production. The original version included a storyline around a 1993 lawsuit involving Michael Jackson.
However, a legal clause prevented any depiction or mention of the accuser in film or television. This forced the studio to rework the third act entirely, leading to reshoots and the removal of certain characters and scenes. Graham’s role was likely affected as part of those wider edits (via Variety).
Directed by Antoine Fuqua, the film now focuses more on Jackson’s early life and his relationship with his father, Joe Jackson. Jaafar Jackson plays the pop icon, alongside Colman Domingo and Nia Long as his parents. The shift in narrative tone came after the filmmakers rebuilt large portions of the story to avoid legal conflicts.
Despite the behind-the-scenes challenges, the film is expected to perform strongly at the box office. Early projections reportedly suggest a domestic opening of around $65 million to $70 million, with global earnings possibly reaching up to $150 million in its debut. That would make it one of the biggest openings ever for a music biopic, even amid mixed reviews.
