Paris Jackson has hit out at Joseph Fiennes’ portrayal of her late dad Michael Jackson, suggesting it’s “insulting” that a white actor has been cast to play him wearing grotesque and terrifying prosthetic makeup, meant to convey his surgery-destroyed face – in the upcoming comedy series, Urban Myths.
After the first trailer for the show was released earlier this week, 18-year-old Paris took to Twitter to label the casting as “shameful,” revealing her music icon father “never would have wanted this.”
“I am so incredibly offended by it, as I’m sure plenty of people are as well, and it honestly makes me want to vomit,” she said, also lashing out over her godmother, Elizabeth Taylor, being played by actress Stockard Channing.
“It angers me to see how obviously intentional it was for them to be this insulting, not just towards my father, but my godmother Liz as well.”
“Where is the respect?” she continued. “They worked through blood, sweat and tears for ages to create such profound and remarkable legacies. Shameful portrayal.”
Michael’s nephew, Tai Jackson, also weighed in, slamming the “blatant disrespect” of the TV show via social media.
“Unfortunately this is what my family has to deal with. No words could express the blatant disrespect.”
After copping backlash last year when it was announced that a caucasian would be playing the King of Pop, Fiennes told The Hollywood Reporter that he was understanding of the sensitivity.
“The decision with the casting and the producers – I wrangled with it, I was confused and shocked at what might come my way,” he said.
“…And I knew the sensitivity, especially to Michael’s fans and to Michael’s family. It doesn’t negate who he was.”
The series is made up of eight 30-minute episodes that re-imagine celebrity stories that have been passed off as urban folklore. The show will air on January 19.
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