Kat Graham Speaks Out After Michael Movie Cuts Her Diana Ross Scenes
Kat Graham says legal roadblocks led to her Diana Ross scenes being pulled from Michael, forcing the much-discussed biopic to rework major parts of its story.
If you were looking forward to seeing Kat Graham play Diana Ross in the new Michael Jackson biopic, well, I've got news—and it's the kind that only comes from the sort of behind-the-scenes wrangling Hollywood is famous for. Turns out, her scenes got cut, and it's not just the usual 'ran out of runtime' excuse. Here's what actually went down.
Why There’s No Diana Ross in the Final Cut
Kat Graham herself confirmed she was supposed to appear as Diana Ross in Michael, the flashy new MJ biopic directed by Antoine Fuqua. But, as Graham explained to fans before the film hit theaters, her Ross scenes—and a couple of others—were yanked out thanks to 'certain legal considerations.' Translation: lawyers got involved, and the movie had to change course.
'Unfortunately, those moments are no longer part of the final cut, though the team worked hard to preserve as much of the story as possible.'
– Kat Graham, social media post
So yeah, that's why you're not seeing her in the movie. But it gets more complicated (because of course it does).
The Legal Mess Behind the Edits
The chopped scenes aren't just about Diana Ross. The original script had a whole storyline that tackled Michael Jackson's infamous 1993 lawsuit. Here’s the snag: there’s a legal clause out there (and I do mean air-tight) that blocks any film or TV project from showing or even mentioning the accuser by name. Once the studio's legal team realized this, they basically had to scrub huge chunks of the third act—and that meant major reshoots.
The result? Characters who mattered in the first draft suddenly didn’t fit in the new version. Graham's Diana Ross? Out. Other story elements in the back half of the movie? Also out. This is the kind of domino effect that can happen with big, messy real-life stories when they're adapted for the screen.
What The Movie Looks Like Now
- Director: Antoine Fuqua (action guy turned biopic guy)
- Michael Jackson: Jaafar Jackson (yep, that's MJ's real-life nephew)
- Papa Joe Jackson: Colman Domingo
- Michael's mother, Katherine: Nia Long
- Focus: Less about the tabloid scandals, more about early Jackson family drama and MJ’s rise alongside his father
With the rewrites and reshoots, the filmmakers steered hard into Michael's upbringing and his complicated relationship with Joe Jackson. The more controversial, lawsuit-centric material—the stuff that would have sparked a thousand online debates—has been mostly tiptoed around. That’s not to say it won’t allude to darker times, but don’t expect anyone to say anything too specific.
How’s All This Affecting the Movie’s Chances?
You might think these last-minute changes would put a dent in hype—or in box office expectations. But early tracking says that’s probably not the case. Insiders are predicting the film could make $65–70 million in the US alone in its first weekend, and maybe up to $150 million worldwide. For a music biopic, those are blockbuster numbers, no matter how you slice it (especially if the reviews keep coming in as mixed as they currently are).
Bottom line: If you wanted a more complete, warts-and-all look at Michael Jackson’s legacy on screen, you’re probably not getting it here. But if you’re into family drama, big performances, and pop nostalgia—minus the legal landmines—you’ll at least get that. Just don’t go in expecting Diana Ross to show up.