Though “Michael” doesn’t open in U.S. theaters until Friday, members of Southern University’s Human Jukebox and university officials got to check out the Michael Jackson biopic a little early.
The April 8 red carpet event at AMC Mall of La. 15 in Baton Rouge brought out students and families decked out in all things Michael Jackson — from sparkly black blazers to pristine white gloves to those signature dark shades. They paused for photos before grabbing a seat in one of two theaters reserved for the 7 p.m. screening.
The special treatment for the Southern contingent was film studio Lionsgate’s way of thanking the band. The Human Jukebox collaborated with other HBCU bands on a promotional video for “Michael,” with each school offering its take on the 1979 Jackson hit “Don’t Stop ’Til You Get Enough.”
Houston actor Kendrick Sampson talks to the media during a red carpet event for the film ‘Michael’ at AMC Mall of La. 15 on April 8.
Prior to the movie’s start, actor Kendrick Sampson, who portrays Quincy Jones in the film, talked briefly to the audience.
“The way that y’all embody the culture and honor the culture, especially when we’re thinking about music and marching bands,” Sampson began. “Those goose bumps that you feel on the back of your neck or on your arms when you see (Jackson) dancing and moving his body and singing, it’s the same goosebumps that people feel when they hear the marching band.”
Houston native Sampson, 38, is known for his roles in “Insecure,” “How to Get Away with Murder,” “The Vampire Diaries” and Prime Video’s “Something from Tiffany’s.”
Afterward, he fielded questions from the media.
Jaafar Jackson, who portrays Michael Jackson in the new biopic ‘Michael,’ is actually the pop icon’s nephew and son of Michael Jackson’s brother, Jermaine.
In a relatively short period of time, you’ve portrayed Quincy Jones and Malcolm X (in the upcoming “Killing Castro”). Do you have to pinch yourself sometimes? And what do you think of this success that you’re having?
It’s not the typical Hollywood success. A lot of it came through, both of those came through personal connections that advocated for me. … And also, Malcolm X and Quincy Jones also have super personal connections. So it was like a dream come true. I booked both of these during the actors’ strike. So I didn’t know if they were actually gonna happen, you know? I got to connect with (Malcolm X’s) daughter right before playing Malcolm.
Most people thought I was obsessed with Quincy because of all of his pop culture things. I was obsessed with Quincy because of the jazz, and connection to jazz. I got to twice, and this is me thinking God was looking out for me twice at parties — Quincy sat me down, didn’t know him from anybody else, sat me down for five hours and just told me his stories. So that was my prep for this.
Kendrick Sampson plays music producer Quincy Jones in ‘Michael.’ Here, he appears at a previewing screening of the film for members of Southern University’s Human Jukebox and university officials on April 8.
After your time spent with Quincy Jones and your other research for the role, how big of a part do you think Quincy had in Michael’s success as a solo artist?
Huge, huge. Finding his independence and finding his journey was the same time Quincy was transitioning and finding his journey. He was going into a new genre with Michael. I believe there was even like, you know, between Berry (Gordy, Motown Records founder) and Quincy some competition. And Berry was like, “Quincy can’t do pop.” You know, and Quincy wanted to prove himself every time he transitioned genres. So they were finding each other, they were helping each other, whether they knew it or not. Helping each other find their own power and their own individual journey, and identity at that time. So that was really powerful.
What was the most surprising thing you learned about Michael from all this?
They used new technologies for the songs. People didn’t realize that a lot of the synth and things that they were using back then were brand-new technologies. It was like not even close to the comparison of using AI. … But it was like using that different of a technology at the time, even producing short films like “Thriller” for a music video and having a premiere for it was innovative at the time.
The same thing with “The Wiz.” I don’t think we realized how innovative they were, and more than anything, that was what I learned was how integral Quincy was in helping Michael find his own identity in his art.
Kendrick Sampson is known for his roles in ‘Insecure,’ ‘How to Get Away with Murder,’ ‘The Vampire Diaries’ and Prime Video’s ‘Something from Tiffany’s.’
We saw on YouTube that one of your favorite foods is a po-boy. Will you be getting one while you’re here?
Oh my God, a po-boy! I just went and tortured myself with all this boudin last night. I can’t stop eating when I come down here. It’s my favorite. It is my favorite place to eat in Louisiana. Like I’d be trying to say Houston is my favorite city because that’s where I’m from, but technically it’s New Orleans or anywhere I could get some really great Creole food.
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