Can you separate the man from the music? A glittering new biopic set to be the most successful film of all time within the genre has faced backlash from critics for “whitewashing” the legacy of a troubled man.
Jackson film to be ‘controversial hit’
Biopic backlash: A glittering new Michael Jackson film breaks box office records but faces fierce criticism for omitting the star’s controversial history. Glossary
Moonwalk - A dance move where the dancer slides backwards while appearing to be walking forwards, made famous by Michael Jackson.
Biopic - Short for “biographical picture”, meaning a film about someone’s life.
Bombastic - Using high-sounding language or an over-the-top style that is intended to impress people but often lacks real meaning or substance.
Tarnished - Something that has lost its good reputation or has become "stained" or "dulled" by bad behaviour or negative events.
Molestation - The act of touching someone in a sexual way against their will.
Acquitted - Declared innocent of a crime or of wrongdoing.
Barred - Banned, prevented from doing something.
Whitewash - To hide, cover up, or gloss over wrongdoing in order to make someone or something appear innocent or acceptable.
Cancelled - A modern term for "cancel culture," where a person (usually a celebrity) is collectively boycotted or rejected by the public due to offensive words or actions.
Sanitised - To describe something in a way that hides the unpleasant, messy, or offensive parts to make it seem more acceptable than it really is.