Kat Graham’s Diana Ross Was Cut From Michael

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As a huge movie fan, I was really excited to hear Kat Graham (you might know her from The Vampire Diaries) played Diana Ross in the new Michael Jackson biopic, Michael. But apparently, some scenes she filmed – scenes with Diana Ross, no less! – ended up on the cutting room floor. She shared on X that legal issues were the reason, and while the filmmakers tried their best to keep as much of the story intact, those moments just couldn’t make it into the final cut. It’s a shame, because it sounded like a really cool addition, but I guess these things happen!

The reasons for Ross’s exclusion from the film aren’t fully known. LaToya Jackson stated that Janet Jackson requested she not be involved, and Randy and Rebbie Jackson are also absent. This isn’t the first legal hurdle for the project. Originally, the film aimed to address and disprove accusations of child molestation against Jackson, but the Jackson estate discovered a prior settlement agreement with an accuser that prohibited any dramatization of those events.

Michael Jackson and Diana Ross shared a very close relationship throughout his life. She guided him and his brother when they first joined Motown Records, and even presented their debut album, Diana Ross Presents the Jackson 5, in 1969. He trusted her so much that his will stipulated his children would be cared for by Ross if his mother, Katherine Jackson, was unable to do so, according to CNN. Interestingly, the film Michael portrays Berry Gordy as Jackson’s primary mentor and a father figure, with Gordy even defending Michael against his own father, Joe Jackson. Gordy himself has said he never noticed any signs of an unhappy childhood for Jackson. Despite their close bond, the film ultimately doesn’t show Ross playing a mentoring role in Jackson’s life.

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2026-04-23 21:54