Despite being born black and starting his career as a black child star, Micheal Jackson’s skin lightened over the years. This made many fans question whether he was proud of his racial identity. In an interview with Oprah Winfrey in 1993, Micheal asserted that he was extremely proud of being a Black American. He let it be known the claims that he preferred a white child to play a younger version of him in a Pepsi commercial were totally false and utterly senseless.

He attributed his light skin to a vitiligo which is a skin ailment that alters pigmentation.

It is for this reason that many have questioned the decision to cast a white actor in the new movie Elizabeth, Marlon & Brando. The movie is a comedic look at Elizabeth Taylor, Micheal Jackson and Marlon Brando on a road trip.Although it is not yet certain how Micheal’s character will be portrayed, some have termed the casting of British actor Joseph Fiennes as an attempt to whitewash a real life Black American icon.

Others attribute this questionable casting choice to the comic nature of the movie because Micheal Jackson has previously been portrayed by white actors in comedy sketches such as in Saturday Night Live where Amy Poehler impersonated Micheal.

Joseph Fiennes reacted to the public outrage on Entertainment Tonight saying he was also shocked by the casting choice but defended his portrayal of the music icon saying Micheal’s skin color was close to Fiennes’ than to Micheal’s original skin pigmentation. Additionally, Fiennes also said that the casting is by no means malicious but is actually endearing and a light comedic look at three iconic characters. To a Micheal Jackson fan, this casting choice goes against Micheal’s words spoken to Oprah when the pop icon asserted that he was hurt by suggestions and stories which claimed he did not want to be Black American.