Real-Life Superhero Yuri Williams Dons Cape To Uplift Thousands Across America
Williams started his nonprofit organization, 'A Future Superhero And Friends' to bring joy to those who need it.
Yuri Williams is a modern-day hero when many are needed, especially in this day and age, and he is on a mission to bring a smile, some happiness, and maybe a little bit of hope to those who may need it the most.
According to CNN, Williams goes out into the world, dons a superhero costume, and then heads out to “save the world” by visiting hospitals, nursing homes, food drives, and just about any place that needs a boost in spirits during times of need.
Williams started his superhero duties after his mother, Lynda C. Hubbard, died from cancer in 2009. After taking several years to recover from the loss of his mother, he had an idea of how to help those who may need that uplifting spirit. He began attending events in costume (starting with Spiderman) to feed the elderly, the homeless, veterans, and children. It went over so well that he started a nonprofit organization (501(c)(3)) and named it “A Future Superhero And Friends.”
On a recent mission near his home in Southern California, he visited Miller Children’s and Women’s Hospital to spread some joy.
“The goal is to provide these special moments for people,” he told CNN. “It’s a great feeling to be able to go in and uplift these people that are in need of uplifting.”
By day, he is a probation officer, but once he takes off that uniform, he gets into another, more fulfilling one. When visiting these spaces in his free time, he often has gifts for the people he is going to visit. That can be anything from toys, backpacks, food, clothes, and blankets, among other items. Others sometimes donate the gifts, but there are times when he reaches into his pocket to supply people with the presents.
The real-life superhero has traveled to all 50 states five and a half times, estimating that he has visited with more than 25,000 people.
“It makes me feel good inside,” he said. “I’m making an impact on people in this world, and that’s what my mom instilled in me every single day.”
‘Modern-Day Slavery’: Family Of Dead City Worker Sues Baltimore Over Deadly Conditions
Ronald Silver II was a Baltimore sanitation worker who died on the job in August 2024.
The family of Ronald Silver II, a Baltimore sanitation worker who died in August 2024, is preparing a civil rights lawsuit against Baltimore, the city’s Department of Public Works, and city officials over the city’s alleged policy of forcing its workers to toil in unsafe working conditions, particularly those with criminal records.
Silver died from hyperthermia, likely due to overheating while on his trash route, according to a state report.
According to WBAL, a letter the family’s attorney, Thiru Vignarajah, sent to those parties spells out a policy akin to slave labor for its workers.
“The culture and conduct at DPW confirms a callous and willful indifference to human life; the agency’s policies and practices are designed to dehumanize and subjugate workers; and the effect is the equivalent of modern-day slavery,” the letter reads.
It also states, “For years, DPW has operated a system of labor that demands that its workers, many of whom have prior criminal convictions, perform grueling manual labor in dangerous, subhuman conditions for laughable wages. The agency has perpetuated a system where workers cannot ask for assistance, complain about their plight, or even quit—because if they do, they face retaliation, termination, and jail time.”
Family members of Ronald Silver II, a once-incarcerated trash collector who died from heatstroke last summer, said Thursday that they are considering filing a federal lawsuit against the Baltimore City Department of Public Works over what they said was a “culture of silence” and… pic.twitter.com/TgRDn5HBFT
The family of Ronald Silver II, the DPW worker who died of heat related illness on the job, and his co-worker join their attorney to announce their intent to sue Baltimore City. They say DPW violated the 13th amendment which prohibits slavery and indentured servitude. @wbaltv11pic.twitter.com/U1TdXPfFab
WATCH: Attorney and former mayoral candidate Thiru Vignarajah weighs in on the Department of Public Works (DPW) lawsuit from the family of Ronald Silver II. https://t.co/4CUiIS272V
— WBAL NewsRadio 1090 and FM 101.5 (@wbalradio) July 25, 2025
According to the lawsuit, the DPW punished workers who raised concerns about their working conditions by assigning them more difficult routes, restricting access to water, and withholding basic supplies.
Additionally, a MOSH investigation, Baltimore’s safety agency, found that the department did not maintain an adequate heat safety training course or emergency plans. In the months preceding the death of Silver, safety reports from Baltimore’s Inspector General described conditions at DPW sites as dangerous, citing a lack of access to water, poor training, and unsafe vehicles.
Although the DPW made some changes following Silver’s death, the family’s representation believes that the department and the City of Baltimore can and should do more to protect its workers.
“The short answer is not nearly enough has been done. But even as the city scrambles to make sense of the mistakes they made and to prevent future deaths, the city of Baltimore and the Department of Public Works also has to reckon with and take responsibility for the harm and death they’ve already caused,” a statement from the family’s lawyer to WBAL noted.
At least one of Silver’s co-workers, Travis Christian, has joined the civil rights lawsuit, and he issued a statement regarding his decision to participate in the lawsuit to the outlet.
“I hope that this lawsuit brings comfort and justice to Mr. Silver’s family, and I hope that his children will live a better life, and I hope this also sheds light on the horrific conditions that us DPW workers face on a daily basis,” Christian told WBAL.
Meanwhile, in a lengthy statement sent to the outlet, the Baltimore DPW argued that it has made improvements to its policies, spurred by the 2024 death of Silver.
“We recognize and respect the family’s right to pursue any legal action they believe is appropriate. While we do not comment on pending legal matters, we do want to emphasize the importance of workplace safety. Over the past year, we have invested significantly in workplace safety in response to both the recommendations of the external report commissioned by the city, as well as the state’s new heat safety rules that were enacted in September 2024,” the DPW stated.
They continued, setting out that they have taken steps to address the issues at their work sites that may have contributed to Silver’s death.
“During this process, we’ve maintained ongoing conversations with our crews, city stakeholders, and union representatives. We’ve listened, we’ve reflected, and we’ve acted, examining our policies and investing in our people.”
The DPW concluded, “We are especially proud of our Solid Waste crews, whose honesty, resilience, and commitment have helped guide this transformation. Without their voices, this progress would not be possible. We are moving forward with renewed energy and clarity to support our workforce and build a stronger future for all of Baltimore.”
Serena Williams’ Next Serve: Tennis Champ Joins Ritual As First Women’s Health Advisor
The collaboration reflects a broader trend of athletes entering the beauty and wellness spaces in deeper ways than traditional endorsements.
Serena Williams is taking on a new challenge off the court. The tennis legend, who officially retired in 2022 with 23 Grand Slam titles to her name, has joined wellness brand Ritual as its first women’s health advisor, the company announced July 23 through CEO Katerina Schneider.
As part of the new role, Williams will provide feedback and insights on Ritual’s product development behind the scenes, helping shape new offerings for the wellness-focused brand.
“[Serena Williams] was our North Star of somebody that we wanted to partner with at Ritual,” said Ritual Founder and CEO Katerina Schneider. “We wanted her to play a deeper role in the brand, which is why we’ve given her the title of our first women’s health advisor. We’re excited for her to use her platform to be more vocal about wellness, in general, and we’re also excited for her to have access to our products first and give us feedback.”
The collaboration reflects a broader trend of athletes entering the beauty and wellness spaces in deeper ways than traditional endorsements. Ritual previously served as the official protein partner of the National Women’s Soccer League’s Angel City FC from 2022 to 2024.
In recent years, other celebrities have followed suit, such as Pamela Anderson becoming a co-founder and co-owner of skin-care brand Sonsie and Selma Blair joining Guide Beauty as chief creative officer, as reported by Glossy.
“Athletes are expected to perform at the highest levels, both mentally and physically,” Schneider noted. “That translates to how consumers view and aspire to and trust athletes for what they’re putting in and on their bodies.”
Although tennis will not be a central theme of Williams’s involvement, the timing aligns with a cultural upswing in the sport.
Wimbledon 2025 recently recorded its highest average viewership since 2019, the last year Williams reached the finals.
For Schneider, Williams’s addition to the Ritual team marks a new chapter of brand evolution.
“We’re building an iconic brand, something that’s going to last forever. We’re not taking shortcuts. We’re not doing marketing for marketing’s sake,” she said.
“Partnering with someone that is actually an icon and the greatest at what they do levels this brand up in a way that’s faster than maybe we would get there on our own.”
Ritual, founded in 2015, achieved $250 million in gross revenue in 2024 and continues expanding.
On July 21, the company launched in 300 Ulta Beauty stores nationwide, which is the same retailer that carries Williams’s own makeup line, Wyn Beauty.
Harper Watters Shatters Barriers As Houston Ballet’s First Black, Gay Principal Dancer
Watters first danced his way into the ballet scene at 16 years old by joining a six-week summer intensive program with Houston Ballet.
You may have seen him gracefully dancing on your TikTok timeline, but now Harper Watters is dancing into a new position as the first Black and gay principal dancer at the Houston Ballet, KHOU 11 reports.
Watters took his first leap into the world of ballet at age 16, enrolling in a six-week summer intensive with the Houston Ballet. What began as a short-term opportunity quickly became, in his words, a life-changing journey. Though initially brought on in a temporary capacity, Watters recalls telling his parents with conviction that this was his “moment.” “They offered me a spot in the second company, and to be honest, I don’t think I knew what that meant. I heard ‘contract,’ I heard you get to train here for a year… And I called my parents, and said this is my moment,” Watters remembered.
Fourteen years later, his hard work and dedication paid off as he was recently promoted to principal dancer after returning from Japan. Not wasting any time, the New Hampshire native, just as he did 14 years ago, called his parents with the great news and updated his social media profiles. Watters celebrates his parents, who adopted him at just two weeks old, for their instrumental support and labels them as a key element in his success. “They gave me wings to soar here in Texas, and they have come to every performance… It was never no, it was ‘let’s do this together,'” Watters said.
When the curtains go down, Watters can be seen educating and performing on TikTok. With close to one million followers, some of his most popular content pays homage to Black ballet dancers both past and present. He gracefully mimics photos and moves from some of the most prominent and influential dancers to ever grace the stage, like Judith Jamison, Keenan English, and Debbie Allen. Watters says he uses the social platform to showcase his “characteristic flair.” ”I can be calm, cool, and collected, I can be fabulous, fierce, and fearless,” the principal dancer said.
Outside of social media and the stage, Watters hopes his new position will open up opportunities for others like him in the future, pushing for greater diversity in the industry. Retired ballet dancer Misty Copeland, who became the first Black woman named female principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre, called the industry out for finally making such a move, despite the company’s 75-year existence.
During a 2018 CNN podcast, she highlighted that being a first doesn’t erase the racism that exists in the world of ballet.
Walmart Tests ‘Dark Stores’ For More Efficient Shopping Process
The concept is currently being tested in Dallas, Texas but will soon be tested in the retailer’s headquarters of Bentonville, Arkansas.
Popular retailer Walmart is testing the concept of “dark stores,” where brick-and-mortar locations will be closed to the public to efficiently fulfill online orders, according to Grocery Dive.
The dark store concept helps retailers speed up the process of online purchase fulfillment, an important detail for retailers on the operations side. In recent years, the company has utilized advanced technology, including drones, to enhance the delivery process. “We regularly test new tools, features, and capabilities to better connect with and serve our customers — wherever and however they choose to shop,” a Walmart spokesperson said.
“Regardless of the channel, our goal remains the same: to deliver a fast, seamless, and engaging customer experience.”
The concept is currently being tested in Dallas, but will soon be tested in the retailer’s headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas, according to USA Today. While the stores won’t display any Walmart signage, they will hold some of the company’s most popular products ordered by consumers as another way to expedite online order fulfillment.
The company hopes dark stores will help them reach 95% of the U.S. population with the delivery option in three hours or less. Walmart’s Chief Financial Officer John David Rainey announced U.S.-based stores reached e-commerce profitability for the first time in quarter one of 2025, with sales increasing by 21%. The number of deliveries made in under three hours also increased by 91% in the same quarter compared to the same quarter in 2024.
While the popular retailer warned of price increases due to President Donald Trump’s tariff wars, things still worked out for the company, with revenue growing by 2.5% in Q1 to $165.6 billion. Operating income also increased to $7.1 billion as CEO Doug McMillon boasted about the company being “positioned to manage the cost pressure from tariffs as well or better than anyone.”
Retail experts support Walmart’s concept of dark stores, saying it proves the brand isn’t out of touch with trending moves. “Where Walmart was lagging was the tech piece, and they’ve been able to ramp that up now,” Vice President of Content at eMarketer, Suzy Davidkhanian, said. The retailer first proved to be catching up with the times after launching its Walmart+ subscription service, which began offering unlimited free delivery from stores in 2020. The effort placed the company in competition with Amazon Prime.
The service had an advantage over Prime subscribers if customers received government assistance, such as SNAP, WIC, and Medicaid. Eligible customers received a discount, paying $6.47 monthly or $49 annually versus the normal price of $12.95 per month or $98 annually.
Family-Friendly Vacation Spots To Visit Before The Kids Head Back-To-School
A few spots that suitable for families to explore
As another school year rolls around, families are gearing up for one last opportunity to bond and chill. Before the kids jump back into academic mode, some parents are on a quest for family-friendly vacation fun or thrilling adventures or simply a desire to disconnect from the daily grind. If you are seeking out destinations that promise a blend of family entertainment and rich cultural immersion, here are a few spots that are suitable for families to explore before the school year kicks off.
Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts
Photo by Lawrence Crayton/Unsplash
Martha’s Vineyard provides a mix of relaxation and cultural richness for families to enjoy, like its beaches, historical sites, bike trails, and lighthouses. The island has a cultural legacy and has served as a cherished summer retreat for countless Black families over the years, particularly in the Oak Bluffs area. It has been a destination spot for African Americans since the 1900s, where individuals could buy property and vacation without restrictions during the era of segregation. Martha’s Vineyard remains a hub that draws people year-round and during the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival.
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
(Photo: Chris Ford/Flickr)
The charming Hilton Head Island in South Carolina boasts a mix of beaches perfect for water activities and relaxation by the oceanfront, along with opportunities to golf and explore nature. Rich in Gullah Geechee heritage and history, the Gullah Museum of Hilton Head has guided tours for all ages that blend education with enjoyable experiences. Families can indulge in dolphin watching tours or cycling adventures, too.
Washington, D.C.
(Photo by Sarah Silbiger/Getty Images)
Washington, D.C. is a place where culture and learning blend, from the museums and monuments to the rich history of African Americans. Washington, D.C., is a city renowned for its budget-friendly sights, including the complimentary Smithsonian museums that offer enriching experiences for all ages. The National Museum of African American History and Culture offers a unique opportunity for families to immerse themselves in the rich history and artifacts of Black Americans.
New Orleans, Louisiana
Photo by Kelly : https://www.pexels.com/photo/people-watching-musicians-playing-at-a-street-festivity-in-new-orleans-usa-21771325/
In New Orleans, Louisiana, families can enjoy a mix of music, Creole dishes, historic districts, swamp expeditions, and museums. This city is known for its focus on immersion adventures and culinary discoveries. Besides its nightlife scene, New Orleans also prides itself on being a family-friendly environment. Its ties to African American heritage can be traced back to Congo Square and the origins of jazz. If you have a passion for history or music, or you’re just looking for an experience in New Orleans, hop on one of the streetcars for a journey or dive into the intriguing displays at the Louisiana Children’s Museum. Families can even set sail on a steamboat for a majestic cruise along the grand Mississippi River.
Gatlinburg & Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Photo by martin-dm/Getty Images
In the Smoky Mountains lie Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. Destinations known for their cozy cabins and peaceful mountain escapes are ideal for families seeking quality time amid a natural backdrop. These breathtaking spots feature a variety of attractions, like the Great Smoky Mountains and the popular Dollywood theme park, as well as intriguing museums and quaint cabins that cater to both nature lovers craving peace and thrill seekers in search of adventure. Whether you enjoy views, crave pop adventures, or plan a family getaway, Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge offer a wide range of activities to suit everyone’s preferences.
San Diego, California
Photo by juan mendez: https://www.pexels.com/photo/kids-at-the-beach-4000822/
San Diego boasts a mix of family-friendly beaches and top-notch attractions. The kids can enjoy Balboa Park and the San Diego Zoo. While in town, visit Black-owned hubs, such as the WorldBeat Cultural Center, which offers both educational and enjoyable experiences for families across generations.
Chicago, Illinois
(Photo: Matt Dirksen/Getty Images)
Chicago is rich with culture. Whether the family is into exploring history or indulging in its eats and treats, Chicago has it all. The city’s roots are deeply rooted in the Great Migration influence, as seen in its music scenes. The family can check out Chicago’s Millennium Park, Shedd Aquarium, and Field Museum to learn and discover together. Take an architectural boat tour. Unwind at the beaches by Lake Michigan.
Toronto, Canada
Photo by alex ohan: https://www.pexels.com/photo/toronto-skyline-on-a-clear-summer-day-29519272/
Toronto, Canada, is a city that offers a lively experience for travelers from around the world. The city boasts a scene with museums and festivals, along with safe public transportation options. Black families can immerse themselves in Toronto’s thriving art and Caribbean and African food and culture scene. Annual events, like Caribana, draw crowds of tourists each year, highlighting the city’s celebration of diversity.
Atlanta, Georgia
Photo: iStock/Kruck20
Atlanta, Georgia, offers a mix of family-friendly events related to the civil rights movement. Many attractions showcase Black achievements and Southern charm. The city of Atlanta has long been a symbol of excellence, dating back several decades, with its civil rights leaders. There’s history and cultural importance exemplified by renowned historically Black colleges like Clark-Atlanta, Morris Brown, Spelman, and Morehouse, which are landmarks of Black excellence. Attractions such as the Georgia Aquarium and the World of Coca-Cola are sure to captivate children’s attention, while the King Center offers an experience for families to explore together. If you want a dive into history and culture in Atlanta with the kids, a visit to the National Center for Human Rights is a must, along with Hammond’s House Museum and Auburn Research Library.
Descendants Of Enslaved Freedmen Are Now Recognized As Members Of The Muscogee Nation Tribe
The Muscogee Nation Supreme Court ruled that descendants of former enslaved, Creek Freedmen, will be granted full tribal citizenship.
On July 24, the Muscogee Nation Supreme Court ruled that descendants of enslaved people will be granted full tribal citizenship.
The ruling came by unanimous decision. The suit was filed by plaintiffs Rhonda Grayson and Jeffrey Kennedy. Both were denied citizenship in 2019. The denial came despite their ability to connect their direct lineage to the enslaved held by the Muscogee Nation, according to a court filing.
Descendants of the tribe’s enslaved people were not granted rights, as the former policy of the tribe dictates members must be Muscogee Indian “by blood.” However, the policy conflicted with an 1866 treaty signed by the tribe. The treaty abolished slavery and the tribe’s participation in the trade. It also promised citizenship to those who had been held in bondage. As Kennedy and Grayson’s ancestors are listed on the “Freedmen Roll” documents, their tribal status was seemingly guaranteed.
The Muscogee Supreme Court ruled that denying Kennedy and Grayson’s applications violates Muscogee law:
“The Court finds that there have been no actions taken by the United States Congress to abrogate the Treaty of 1866, and that this treaty stands as the supreme law of the land under both federal and Mvskoke law. Further, the Treaty of 1866 requires that Creek Freedmen, and their descendants, shall be granted “all the rights and privileges of native citizens[.]” As such, it was contrary to law for the Appellant Board to deny citizenship to any lineal descendant of the Creek Freedmen Dawes Roll,” the decision read.
In 2023, Judge Denette Mouser ruled in Grayson and Kennedy’s favor. The tribe appealed. In the initial ruling, Judge Mouser notated the Cree Freedmen’s claim to tribal membership. She discussed the shared history between the indigenous people listed on the Dawes Roll and the former enslaved listed on the Freedmen Roll.
“The families later known as Creek Freedmen likewise walked the Trail of Tears alongside the tribal clans and fought to protect the new homeland upon arrival in Indian Territory,” she wrote. “During that time, the Freedmen families played significant roles in tribal government, including as tribal town leaders in the House of Kings and House of Warriors.”
The Supreme Court’s order now instructs the citizenship board to accept applicants who can prove ancestry on either of the rolls.
Grayson, who leads the Oklahoma Indian Territory Museum of Black Creek Freedmen History, called the ruling a moment of healing.
“This victory honors our past and offers a meaningful opportunity for reconciliation,” she told the press. Kennedy added, “When I heard the ruling, I felt generations of my family exhale at once.”
Muscogee Nation Chief David Hill said leaders are discussing how to integrate descendants of Creek Freedmen into the tribe, the Guardian reported. Leaders will review policies to make sure they are in line with constitutional requirements. As modern law rejected the presence of enslaved people, the current constitution must be amended to address the new parameters surrounding citizenship.
The Supreme Court’s decision not only reshapes Muscogee Nation citizenship policy, but it also honors the memory of both enslaved and indigenous ancestors.
GloRilla Blasts Police After Being Arrested On Drug Charges When Her Home Was Robbed
'Long story short, my house gets home invaded, and I'm the only one who gets arrested.'
While GloRilla was at the WNBA All-Star Game in Indianapolis, thieves allegedly broke into her Atlanta home. But after police officers were called to the scene, it was the Memphis rapper who ended up in handcuffs when officers claimed they smelled marijuana and found drugs in the residence.
The rapper, whose real name is Gloria Woods, took to social media to blast the police department for going after her for the cannabis found in her home instead of chasing the people who illegally entered her house.
“Long story short, my house gets home invaded, and I’m the only one that gets arrested.”
CRAZY‼️ My House got Home Invaded Saturday
While I was in Indianapolis performing for the WNBA all star game & instead of Focusing on finding the Suspects , they focus on some cannabis
1. So no I wasn’t busted
2. My house got robbed
3. I wasn’t home
According to People, the rapper has been charged with Felony Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Schedule I controlled substance after she turned herself in. GloRilla was released on a $22,260 bond.
The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office released a statement about the incident that took place at the Whatchu Kno About Me lyricist’s home.
“It was reported that three suspects had entered the home and were in the process of stealing items when an armed occupant fired at the intruders. The suspects fled the scene, and it does not appear that any of them were struck. No injuries were reported among the home’s occupants.”
The police department also stated that, after a thorough investigation, there are no suspects. However, “while on scene, deputies detected a strong odor consistent with illegal narcotics. As a result, the Lanier Regional Drug Task Force was contacted and responded to the residence.” They obtained a search warrant and stated that they found “a significant amount of marijuana” in GloRilla’s master bedroom closet.
The robbery took place July 20. She turned herself in July 22.
According to Hot97, the situation brought a sharp rebuke from GloRilla’s attorneys, Marissa Goldberg and Drew Findling.
“The arrest of Gloria Woods reveals a troubling perspective on law enforcement priorities. Ms. Woods was away from home when her residence was targeted by intruders who likely knew she was not there. However, they were unaware that family members staying at her home were traumatized by the violent intrusion.
“Ms. Woods is a victim, not a suspect. This is an unfortunate use of public resources, truly astonishing.”
Sherald, known for painting former First Lady Michelle Obama, said her current exhibition and artistic vision were stifled when a painting featuring a transgender subject was removed from the exhibit.
The disputed work, Trans Forming Liberty (2024), shows a Black transgender person in the posture of the Statue of Liberty. According to Sherald, Smithsonian officials concerned the imagery might rile up the Trump administration. However, Sherald believes that the present threat of erasure and pointed legislative attacks on the trans community necessitates its inclusion.
“I cannot in good conscience comply with a culture of censorship, especially when it targets vulnerable communities. At a time when transgender people are being legislated against, silenced, and endangered across our nation, silence is not an option,” Sherald told the New York Times.
The museum offered to supplement the work with a contextual video discussing transgender themes. She rejected that compromise, saying it would invite debate over the validity of trans visibility, which she believed would undermine the piece’s core message.
The exhibit was scheduled to be the first solo show by a Black contemporary artist at the National Portrait Gallery. The exhibit was previously shown, to much acclaim, at the Whitney Museum in April 2025 and SFMOMA in San Francisco.
Sherald said the decision was rooted in “institutional fear shaped by a broader climate of political hostility toward trans lives.”
A spokesperson for the Smithsonian countered that the aim was never to remove Trans Forming Liberty, but to present the context surrounding the piece through multiple forms of media.
Sherald has become a defining figure in contemporary American portraiture, known for her grayscale paintings. Her work examines race and identity. She is also known for her Breonna Taylor portrait. Her Miss Everything (Unsuppressed Deliverance) piece won the National Portrait Gallery’s 2016 Outwin Boochever Prize.
Sherald’s decision adds to the national focus on artistic freedom, representation and political influence in cultural institutions. It also comes as Congress is proposing legislation to decrease funding and curb “divisive narratives” in Smithsonian programming.
Michael Jackson Biopic ‘Michael’ Has New Premiere Date…Again
The film was originally scheduled to come out April 18, 2025.
If you are anxious to see the Michael Jackson biopic, Michael, you will have to wait a little longer. Again. The film has been pushed back a third time to April 24, 2026, Deadline reports.
The film was originally set to debut April 18, 2025, and then in October.
The biopic, spearheaded by Training Day director Antoine Fuqua, will star Jackson’s real-life nephew, Jaafar Jackson, in the the title role. Jaafar is Jermaine Jackson’s son. Jermaine was the second lead singer behind Michael when their three other brothers, Jackie, Tito, and Marlon, formed The Jackson 5, who recorded on Motown Records. Randy joined the group when they left Motown, and Jermaine stayed with the record label.
The first delay of Michael was due to editing. The movie was originally more than three-and-a-half hours long.
The Hollywood Reporter reported that the film, which was initially intended to span the legendary singer’s entire, but abbreviated, life, will only cover the period from the group’s inception until he officially left The Jacksons and released his solo album, Off the Wall, in 1979. There is reportedly a second film that would cover the time when his solo career reached a stratospheric level—Thriller remains one of the most successful albums of all-time—until his untimely death in 2009.
Some of the people featured in the biopic include Oscar nominee Colman Domingo as Michael’s father, Joe Jackson, and Nia Long as his mother, Katherine. Miles Teller, Laura Harrier, Kat Graham, Larenz Tate, and Derek Luke round out the cast.
Graham King, who produced the film, along with John Branca and John McClain, told the CinemaCon audience last year Michael would feature 30 songs.
