Actor Rhyan Hill takes on the role of Tito Jackson in the film Michael, infusing the character with a remarkable blend of musical discipline and emotional restraint, effectively portraying one of the most understated yet significant members of the legendary group The Jackson 5.
You play Tito Jackson in Michael. What did you focus on first to understand Tito as both a brother and a musician within the Jackson 5 dynamic?
That’s a great question. When I started my research, I really dove into anything I could find about Tito — pictures, videos, performances. The first thing we actually filmed were the Victory Tour performance scenes, so my biggest focus at first was making sure I got the guitar right. I had never played guitar before, but I had an amazing instructor, Erica Schaefer, who helped me tremendously. I spent a lot of time watching Tito perform and studying his movements so I could really embody him. After the performance side, I wanted to understand who he was as the older brother in the Jackson family. Tito was more relaxed and reserved than the others. He had a calm energy, and that was really important for me to capture in my portrayal.
Tito Jackson has had a quieter public image compared to other members of the family. How did you approach portraying his presence and influence on screen?
I approached it by drawing from my own life a bit. I have an older brother, and he’s also the more reserved one between us, so I used him as a reference point. I also studied a lot of footage and photos of Tito and paid attention to how he joked with his brothers and cared for his family. I especially loved seeing the relationship he had with his sons. All of those details really helped me portray him authentically.
What kind of preparation went into capturing the movement, rhythm, and stage energy of the Jackson 5 era?
There was a lot of preparation. Learning guitar was one of the hardest parts because I had several songs to learn. I’m also a dancer, so picking up choreography came naturally, but balancing the choreography with the guitar and the blocking was challenging. We had a lot of rehearsal time with Rich and Tone, along with assistants Mikel and Samo, and they really helped us become the Jacksons. We studied rehearsal footage of the real Jacksons and compared it side by side with our performances so we could build that brotherly chemistry and connection on stage. It all paid off in the end.
Did your early start in entertainment help you connect with the Jackson brothers childhood experiences?
Absolutely. I’ve said before that Tito and I share a lot of similarities because we both discovered our love for performing at a young age. Performing gives you a feeling like no other. I started in theater, and being in front of an audience was something I instantly loved. That excitement definitely helped me connect to the performance scenes in this film. Dancing with the ensemble and working alongside my “brothers” in the film reminded me a lot of my roots in theater and performance. I always try to pull from those experiences.
This film brings together director Antoine Fuqua and producer Graham King. What was it like working with a team leading such a major project?
It was incredible. Antoine Fuqua and Graham King are legends in this industry, so working with them was a dream come true. You could tell there was real care and love put into this story from everyone involved. They wanted to humanize Michael and really honor his journey, which I think audiences are going to appreciate. Antoine knew exactly what he wanted, but he also gave us freedom to build those intimate family moments naturally. Graham King brought together such an amazing team to make this film happen.
Jaafar Jackson plays his uncle, Michael Jackson. What was it like acting opposite someone who has both a family connection and the responsibility of portraying such an iconic figure?
First of all, Jaafar absolutely kills it. He trained for more than two years to prepare for this role, and it really shows. Beyond being a great actor, he’s also just an amazing person. We’d have lunch together, go bowling, and play Topgolf—we really bonded. When it came to acting, though, there were moments where I genuinely felt like I was standing across from Michael Jackson.
You’ve performed on major stages with artists like Kendrick Lamar and Childish Gambino. How did your dance background shape your performance in Michael?
My dance background helped me a lot. When you perform with artists at that level, you have to learn choreography quickly and adapt fast, so that definitely prepared me for rehearsals with Rich and Tone Talauega. On the acting side, every performance involves stepping into a character in some way. Even when I was dancing during the Super Bowl or performing with Childish Gambino, I approached it with a sense of story and character. Playing a real person like Tito meant combining all of that—the performance, the movement, and the emotional backstory—into one complete portrayal.
This cast includes Nia Long, Colman Domingo, Miles Teller, Kat Graham, and Larenz Tate. What did you learn working alongside that ensemble?
I worked closely with Colman Domingo and Nia Long, and having them play my parents was honestly a dream. Watching them work felt like getting a master class every day. They brought so much depth and spontaneity to every scene, and they’re true masters of their craft.
They’re also hilarious. Everyone on set became really close, and we even have a family group chat together now.
Audiences know Michael Jackson’s story in broad strokes. What moments in the film do you think will surprise viewers and show a different side of the family story?
This film really captures a slice of Michael’s life, from the Jackson 5 era through the beginning of the Bad era. Most people know Michael Jackson as this massive global superstar, but I think audiences will be surprised by how human and intimate the film feels. Those quieter moments are what will help people connect with him on a deeper level. Jaafar does an incredible job with all those little nuances, and the script by John Logan really highlights the closeness and support within the Jackson family. That family dynamic actually reminds me a lot of my own family.
What do you hope audiences take away from the film and from your portrayal of Tito?
I hope audiences walk away with a deeper understanding of Michael as a person. The film really humanizes him, and I’m excited for people to experience that emotional connection. I also want people to celebrate Michael — to enjoy the music, the dancing, and that whole era. The film really feels like stepping into a time capsule of the ’70s and ’80s. As for Tito, I hope people see the love he had for his family and the support he gave Michael from the very beginning. He recognized Michael’s gift early on and always wanted the best for him. Tito also loved performing and having fun on stage with his brothers, and I hope audiences feel that energy too.
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