{"rewrite":{"id":"r_5732ab5648870ac71d0f712c","clusterId":"c_2bd0a3c0c8e282481ed7c3c8","slug":"juliano-valdi-talks-playing-young-michael-jackson-in-biopic","model":"deepseek-v4-flash","headline":"Juliano Valdi Talks Playing Young Michael Jackson in Biopic","summary":"A behind-the-scenes interview video with 12-year-old Juliano Valdi, who plays young Michael Jackson in the biographical film \"Michael,\" has been released. Valdi discusses his role preparation, including studying music videos and practicing dance with choreographers Rich + Tone. The film, directed by Antoine Fuqua, is now in theaters.","whyItMatters":"The interview offers a rare look at how a young dancer who gained fame through social media prepared to portray one of music's most iconic figures in a major biopic.","webCardHtml":"\u003cp\u003eJuliano Valdi, the 12-year-old rising star cast as young Michael Jackson in the biographical film \u0026#34;Michael,\u0026#34; has shared details of his role preparation in a newly released interview video. Valdi, who was nine during filming, became known for posting dance videos that perfectly recreated Michael\u0026#39;s performances on social media. In the video, he says playing the role is \u0026#34;a dream\u0026#34; and describes studying music videos like \u0026#34;ABC\u0026#34; and interview programs to understand young Michael. He worked closely with choreography duo Rich + Tone, who he says choreographed for Michael himself, calling them \u0026#34;the best choreographers ever.\u0026#34; Valdi also notes the difference between young and adult Michael\u0026#39;s dancing, saying the younger version has more interactions with his brothers to the beat, while adult Michael\u0026#39;s movements are more detailed and difficult. The film, directed by Antoine Fuqua, stars Michael\u0026#39;s real nephew Jaafar Jackson as the adult Michael, with Coleman Domingo, Nia Long, Kendrick Sampson, and Miles Teller in supporting roles. A repeat-viewing campaign offering original goods is also underway.\u003c/p\u003e","blueskyPost":"Juliano Valdi studied Jackson's music videos and worked with choreographers Rich + Tone for the role. The biopic's casting choice emphasizes physical mimicry over narrative reenactment.","twitterPost":"Juliano Valdi's prep for the Jackson biopic centers on dance study, not dramatic coaching.","threadsPost":"Juliano Valdi's role preparation for the Michael Jackson biopic focuses on music videos and choreography with Rich + Tone. The casting leans on physical performance to sell the young Jackson, not on dramatic backstory.","newsletterBlurb":"A behind-the-scenes interview with Juliano Valdi, the young actor playing Michael Jackson in the biopic \"Michael,\" has been released. Valdi discusses his research process and working with choreographers Rich + Tone. The film is now in theaters.","attributionJson":"[{\"source\":\"Eiga Natalie\",\"url\":\"https://natalie.mu/eiga/news/675821\",\"title\":\"\\\"Michael\\\" 12-year-old Juliano Valdi, who plays young Michael, talks about the behind-the-scenes of his role preparation\"}]","lintFlagsJson":null,"lintHits":0,"costUsd":0,"inputTokens":4033,"outputTokens":599,"status":"published","repairAttempts":0,"nextRepairAt":null,"factsAttemptedAt":1781236291,"createdAt":"2026-06-12T03:43:40.000Z","publishedAt":"2026-06-12T03:47:26.000Z","updatedAt":"2026-06-12T03:47:26.000Z"},"cluster":{"id":"c_2bd0a3c0c8e282481ed7c3c8","canonicalTitle":"「Michael／マイケル」若きマイケル役の12歳ジュリアーノ・ヴァルディ、役作りの裏側語る","representativeArticleId":"a_0847a98cf4929be154c3fdfb","sourceCount":2,"writtenSourceCount":1,"writeAttempts":0,"isSolo":false,"entitiesJson":"{\"anime_titles\":[],\"manga_titles\":[],\"work_titles\":[\"Michael\"],\"studios\":[],\"people\":[\"Juliano Valdi\"],\"type\":\"news\",\"domain\":\"other\",\"is_roundup\":false}","contentType":"news","status":"published","firstSeenAt":"2026-06-12T03:00:00.000Z","lastSeenAt":"2026-06-15T11:03:00.000Z","updatedAt":"2026-06-15T11:04:26.000Z"},"attribution":[{"source":"Eiga Natalie","url":"https://natalie.mu/eiga/news/676057","title":"「Michael／マイケル」イベントでマイケル富岡が1980年代の熱狂振り返る、高橋芳朗も解説"},{"source":"Cinema Today","url":"https://www.cinematoday.jp/news/N0155331","title":"『Michael／マイケル』主演、名曲「ビリー・ジーン」2年間で完全マスター　振付師も驚がく「しびれるほど衝撃的」"}],"entities":{"anime_titles":[],"manga_titles":[],"work_titles":["Michael"],"studios":[],"people":["Juliano Valdi"],"type":"news","domain":"other","is_roundup":false},"keyFacts":["Juliano Valdi was 12 years old when the interview was released and was nine during filming of 'Michael.'","Valdi studied music videos like 'ABC' and interview programs to understand young Michael Jackson.","He worked with choreography duo Rich + Tone, who he says choreographed for Michael Jackson himself.","Valdi notes that young Michael's dancing involves more interactions with his brothers to the beat, while adult Michael's movements are more detailed and difficult.","The film 'Michael' is directed by Antoine Fuqua and stars Jaafar Jackson, Michael's real nephew, as the adult Michael."]}