'Michael' star Jaafar Jackson and on-screen mother Nia Long bring their undeniable chemistry and real-life bond to BET Awards

Jaafar Jackson and Nia Long made a striking joint appearance on the red carpet at the 2026 BET Awards, held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on June 28, 2026. The duo, who recently starred together in the highly successful Michael Jackson biopic 'Michael' (where Long portrayed Jackson's mother, Katherine Jackson), radiated elegance as they posed for a flurry of eager photographers. Jackson and Long shared a candid, joyful laugh together on the carpet before heading inside the venue, where they later took the stage as presenters for the Best Male Pop/R&B Artist category.