Jaafar Jackson Nominated for Best Actor at the Creators’ Choice Awards
The buzz surrounding Jaafar Jackson has only intensified since the release of ‘Michael’ in April. His portrayal of his late uncle has transformed from a modest expectation to a full-fledged awards campaign, garnering recognition and accolades almost every few weeks.
This week, Jackson received a Best Actor nomination at the Creators’ Choice Awards in a category known as The Garland King, which celebrates the best performances of the year’s midpoint. He faces tough competition from Robert Aramayo for ‘I Swear’, Robert Pattinson for ‘The Drama’, Michael Johnston for ‘Obsession’, Ryan Gosling for ‘Project Hail Mary’, and Ralph Fiennes for ’28 Years Later, The Bone Temple’. Public voting is open, with winners to be announced on August 7.
This nomination is significant as it reflects a trend throughout Jackson’s awards journey. His standout performance has resonated not only with critics but also with the public, indicating that audiences are connecting with his portrayal in a meaningful way.
Jackson’s accolades include winning Best Actor at the 2026 Astra Midseason Movie Awards, where he triumphed over contenders like Chiwetel Ejiofor for ‘Backrooms’, Leo Woodall for ‘Tuner’, Ralph Fiennes for ’28 Years Later, The Bone Temple’, and Ryan Gosling for ‘Project Hail Mary’. Just two days later, he secured two additional awards at the National Film Awards UK, claiming both Outstanding Performance and Best Newcomer for his role in the film.
These wins, determined by public voting, signal that Jackson’s performance is resonating with general audiences as much as it is with industry insiders. The same public voting structure applies to the Creators Choice Awards nomination, reinforcing the notion that Jackson’s interpretation of his uncle has struck a chord beyond critical circles.
Jackson’s path to this role was anything but conventional. With virtually no formal acting experience, his only previous credit was a brief appearance on the 2015 reality series ‘The Jacksons, Next Generation’. Producer Graham King noted that Jackson bypassed a traditional audition, instead sending a voice note of himself embodying Michael, which led to an extensive casting and coaching process before he was officially cast.
Critics have praised Jackson’s performance, even those who were lukewarm about the film itself. Variety’s chief film critic Owen Gleiberman highlighted Jackson’s ability to capture Michael’s distinct voice while showcasing the evolution of his personality over time, a sentiment echoed in much of the film’s critical reception despite its mixed reviews.
On the commercial front, ‘Michael’ has emerged as one of the year’s biggest box office successes, recently surpassing the billion-dollar mark globally and nearing the title of the highest-grossing release of 2026. This trajectory has drawn comparisons to ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, which also overcame mixed reviews to become a significant awards contender.
As public voting for the Creators Choice Awards is now open and the winner will be revealed on August 7, Jackson’s collection of awards continues to grow as the fall awards season approaches. Do you believe Jaafar Jackson’s performance in ‘Michael’ deserves the Best Actor win at the Creators Choice Awards? Share your thoughts in the comments.