- Primary Subject: Diana Ross in Michael
- Key Update: Kat Graham has confirmed that her filmed scenes as Diana Ross were removed from the final cut.
- Status: Confirmed
- Last Verified: April 24, 2026
- Quick Answer: The Diana Ross scenes were removed from the film due to unspecified legal considerations, despite actress Kat Graham having filmed several sequences for the theatrical release.
With the release of Michael, one of the biggest questions that fans have is why the Diana Ross scenes were cut from the biopic despite the legendary artist's prominent role in the King of Pop's life.
This week, the highly anticipated biopic was finally released in theaters worldwide. While critics were not enthusiastic, the audiences' responses have been mostly positive. However, there have also been discussions about the parts of Michael Jackson's life story that were notably cut, and fans are wondering why they were not included.
Most notably, the movie did not showcase Jackson's friendship with another legendary artist, Diana Ross.
Why Michael Removed the Diana Ross Scenes
In a recent social media post, Kat Graham, who was set to play Diana Ross, confirmed that the scenes she filmed for Michael were cut.
She explained that her scenes were removed due to "legal considerations," but declined to provide further details about why the producers decided to remove the Diana Ross scenes from the final cut.
"Ahead of the April 24 release of the Michael Jackson film, I want to share that certain legal considerations affected a few scenes, including ones I filmed with an incredible cast. Unfortunately, these moments are no longer part of the final cut, though the team worked hard to preserve as much of the story as possible," Graham wrote.
The removal of Diana Ross from the story of the biopic is surprising for many fans, given that she is known to be a close friend of Michael Jackson since the early years of his career. She also had a pivotal part in Jackson's artistry and his rise to fame.
However, while scenes were filmed involving Diana Ross, it seemed like the producers faced a potential legal issue behind the scenes, and it was decided to remove Graham's scenes as the singer to resolve it.
Ross is not the only prominent figure in Michael Jackson's life who was not featured. Michael's sister, Janet Jackson, is also not a character in the movie.
What is Michael About?
Michael is the cinematic portrayal of the life and legacy of one of the most influential artists the world has ever known. The film tells the story of Michael Jackson’s life beyond the music, tracing his journey from the discovery of his extraordinary talent as the lead of the Jackson Five, to the visionary artist whose creative ambition fueled a relentless pursuit to become the biggest entertainer in the world.
Highlighting both his life off-stage and some of the most iconic performances from his early solo career, the film gives audiences a front-row seat to Michael Jackson as never before.
The main cast includes Jaafar Jackson, Colman Domingo, Miles Teller, Nia Long, Laura Harrier, and Juliano Krue Valdi. Antoine Fuqua directed the film, while John Logan wrote the script.
The film is currently showing in theaters. It is also available on IMAX and other premium formats.
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