Juliano Krue Valdi, 12, is set to star in the upcoming biopic Michael, which is scheduled to hit theaters on April 24.
Valdi will portray a young Michael Jackson in the film about the singer’s life. Jaafar Jackson, the late music legend’s nephew, takes on the role of the older Jackson.
“This opportunity is really important to me because Michael Jackson is the King of Pop, and he is very special in my heart. I’ve been dancing to his songs for five years now,” Valdi said In an interview with Hollywood Reporter in 2024.
“He makes me feel really special and makes me feel good about myself. I love the energy of Michael Jackson,” he added.
Michael is directed by Antoine Fuqua, who said casting the younger version of Jackson proved especially challenging.
“If anything, casting the role of the young Michael was more difficult than casting the adult role, because where do you find a child actor with the chops of the greatest entertainer who ever lived? In the end, that was our focus — talent — and we looked far and wide for an actor who could embody Michael’s spirit through his voice, his charisma, and his dance skills. Juliano’s undeniable, raw talent put him at the top of our list.”
The film also features a wider ensemble, including Colman Domingo, Nia Long, Miles Teller, Kendrick Sampson, and Kat Graham.
Valdi is a relative newcomer to the entertainment industry. He previously appeared on Nickelodeon’s Face’s Music Party as Juliano the Beatboxer and has had roles in Bite Size Halloween, The Hug Machine, and Arco, where he voiced the titular character in the English dub. IMDb also lists him for roles in The Loud House (2025) and 9-1-1 (2026)
