Jaafar Jackson and His Father Jermaine: Their Family’s Musical History

Jaafar Jackson comes from a family whose name has been part of popular music for generations. His father, Jermaine Jackson, became famous as a member of the Jackson 5. His mother, Alejandra Genevieve Oaziaza, built a creative career in fashion design.

For Jaafar, that background became especially significant when he took on the role of his uncle, Michael Jackson, in the biographical film Michael. Playing such a recognisable performer would be demanding for any actor. For him, the role also involved portraying someone connected to his own childhood and family history.

Yet there is more to Jaafar’s story than his famous surname. His parents brought different professional experiences into his upbringing, and his extended family includes several siblings with connections to the Jackson entertainment legacy.

Here is a closer look at Jaafar Jackson’s parents, their relationship and the family behind his journey into performing.

His Father Is Jermaine Jackson

Jermaine Jackson is a singer, musician and one of the original members of the group that became the Jackson 5.

He is the fourth-oldest child of Joe and Katherine Jackson and an older brother of Michael Jackson. His early musical career developed alongside his brothers, placing him at the centre of one of entertainment’s best-known family groups.

Jermaine performed as a vocalist and bass player. While Michael eventually became the group’s most recognisable lead singer, Jermaine’s voice and musicianship were important parts of its sound.

For Jaafar, having Jermaine as a father meant that the history of the Jackson family was also immediate family history. The records, performances and public appearances associated with the surname were connected to people he knew personally.

That relationship gives his portrayal of Michael an unusually close family connection.

Jermaine Found Fame With His Brothers

The group’s beginnings stretch back to the 1960s, when Jermaine performed with his older brothers Jackie and Tito.

As the lineup developed to include Marlon and Michael, the Jackson 5 emerged. Their success eventually brought international recognition and made the brothers familiar to audiences far beyond their hometown of Gary, Indiana.

Jermaine remained with the group during its early rise before pursuing his own musical path. He later reunited with his brothers as part of the Jacksons.

The group’s achievements included a Hollywood Walk of Fame star and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Those honours reflect the scale of the family’s impact. They also explain why a new Jackson performer attracts attention before audiences have seen much of their individual work.

Jaafar entered an industry where his surname already carried a long and closely watched history.

His Father Also Had a Solo Career

Jermaine’s professional identity extends beyond performing with his brothers.

He developed a solo career and enjoyed success during the 1980s. His work associated with Let’s Get Serious earned Grammy recognition, and he placed several songs on the Billboard charts.

That part of his career matters when considering Jaafar’s background. Jermaine experienced both the opportunities of belonging to a celebrated group and the challenge of establishing an individual musical identity.

Jaafar faces a different version of that challenge.

His family connection naturally attracts interest, but his performances still have to stand on their own. Audiences may initially recognise the name Jackson, then decide for themselves what they think of the work.

His Mother Is Alejandra Oaziaza

Jaafar’s mother, Alejandra Genevieve Oaziaza, is originally from Colombia.

Although her connection to the Jackson family often dominates public interest, her professional background is in fashion. She established Alejandra Jackson Designs, bringing a different kind of creative work into the family story.

Her company’s description emphasises handmade clothing and the textile traditions of Colombia and Peru.

It also places importance on environmental responsibility and preserving traditional techniques. Rather than treating craftsmanship as something separate from everyday fashion, the business presents those skills as part of a living cultural practice.

Alejandra’s work provides another perspective on Jaafar’s upbringing. Music may be the most visible part of the Jackson name, but creativity within his immediate family has also included design, materials and visual expression.

Alejandra’s Work Reflects Her Heritage

Alejandra’s approach to fashion draws attention to how clothing is made as well as how it looks.

Her professional description highlights maintaining textile techniques and passing those skills from one generation to another. That gives the work a family and cultural dimension beyond producing individual garments.

The connection between heritage and contemporary work is particularly relevant in a family whose history attracts so much public attention.

For Alejandra, that connection appears through design traditions. For Jermaine, it appears through music and performance.

Their careers are different, but both involve creative practices with roots that extend beyond a single project.

It would be too much to assume exactly how those influences shaped Jaafar privately. Still, they form part of the creative environment surrounding his family.

His Parents Married in 1995

Jermaine and Alejandra married on March 18, 1995.

They welcomed Jaafar Jeremiah Jackson in July 1996. Their second son, Jermajesty Jermaine Jackson, followed in October 2000.

The marriage later ended. Jermaine filed for divorce in 2004, and the divorce was reported as finalised in 2008.

Those dates help explain their family timeline without confusing the separation process with the beginning of their relationship.

Although they are no longer married, Jermaine and Alejandra remain Jaafar’s parents and have both been part of public moments surrounding his career.

Their appearance with their sons at the Los Angeles premiere of Michael in April 2026 brought the immediate family together for a significant professional occasion.

Jaafar Has a Younger Brother

Jaafar and Jermajesty share both parents.

They have appeared together at family events over the years, including occasions connected to their uncle Michael’s legacy.

As children, the brothers accompanied their father to public tributes and entertainment gatherings. Those appearances placed them within the public view of the Jackson family well before Jaafar’s major film role.

However, being photographed at family events is different from taking responsibility for a leading screen performance.

With Michael, Jaafar moved from attending events associated with his relatives to becoming the performer at the centre of one.

Jermajesty’s presence alongside him and their parents at the premiere offered a visible reminder of that shared family history.

Their Extended Family Is Large

Both of Jaafar’s parents had children from earlier relationships.

Jermaine shares three children with his first wife, Hazel Gordy: Jermaine La Jaune “Jay” Jackson Jr., Autumn Joi Jackson and Jaimy Jermaine Jackson.

He also has two sons, Jeremy Maldonado Jackson and Jourdynn Michael Jackson, with former partner Margaret Maldonado.

Alejandra previously had a relationship with Jermaine’s younger brother Randy Jackson. She and Randy share Genevieve Katherine Jackson and Steven Randall Jackson Jr.

This creates an extended family structure that can be confusing to readers encountering it for the first time. The clearest starting point is Jaafar’s immediate family: his father is Jermaine, his mother is Alejandra, and his younger full brother is Jermajesty.

The other relationships explain his wider sibling connections.

He Kept His Casting Quiet

One of the more surprising details about Jaafar’s role in Michael is that he did not immediately share the news with his family.

Speaking with Miles Teller for Interview magazine, Jaafar explained that he kept the casting private for a full year. He waited until he felt comfortable enough to tell them.

For someone taking on such a personal role, the decision suggests that he wanted time to develop his approach before inviting family reactions.

His account also described his mother being deeply impressed when she saw him on screen.

That response carried particular meaning because Alejandra was watching both her son’s performance and his portrayal of a member of the family.

Jermaine Has Joined Him at Important Events

Jermaine’s public appearances with Jaafar go back years.

In July 2009, he attended the Save the World Awards with Jaafar and Jermajesty during a period when the family and audiences were mourning Michael.

The brothers also joined their father at the unveiling of the Michael Jackson Experience at Madame Tussauds in Hollywood in June 2011.

Years later, Jermaine accompanied Jaafar during events surrounding Michael, including the film’s April 2026 premiere activities.

Those occasions trace a change in Jaafar’s public role. He first appeared as one of the younger members of a famous family. He later stood beside his father as the actor portraying that family’s most internationally recognised performer.

A Personal Role in a Famous Family

Jaafar’s parents help explain why his connection to Michael reaches beyond an ordinary casting announcement.

Jermaine shares the musical history depicted in the film. Alejandra brings her own creative background and the perspective of a mother watching her son take on a demanding professional challenge.

Their careers, marriage and children form the immediate family story behind Jaafar’s public identity.

His surname introduced him to audiences with strong expectations. His performance gave him the opportunity to show what he could bring to that legacy himself.