'Michael' DENIED Golden Globes submission in musical/comedy category; asked to contend in 'drama' category

The Michael Jackson biopic 'Michael', starring Jaafar Jackson in the lead, as the King of Pop, has been denied a classification in the musical/comedy category in the upcoming Golden Globe Awards.'Michael' bid for 'Musical/Comedy' nomination REJECTEDAs per reports, the film, which boasts of a number of tracks from the late Pop icon, has sparked a debate over the use of music in the film. According to Gold Derby, 'Michael', which was submitted in the musical/comedy category, was 'rejected' by the committee after members came to a decision that the film did not meet the eligibility criteria.

While it is not common for the Globes to typically reject a studio's preferred submission category, the committee reportedly concluded that the film's musical performances did not sufficiently drive its narrative. Golden Globes rules on 'Musical/Comedy'According to the rulebook, "a musical can be a comedy or a drama in which songs are used in addition to spoken dialogue to further the plot." Keeping that in mind, it appears that the film did not meet that criterion of its music 'driving the narrative'.

With this, 'Michael' and its lead actor Jaafar Jackson, will battle it out in the more competitive drama categories during the awards season. While films like 'Ray' and 'Walk the Line' previously won the Globes as musicals, the rules were later changed, requiring musical biopics like 'A Complete Unknown', 'Elvis', and 'Bohemian Rhapsody' to contend in the drama category.'Michael' studio to appeal Lionsgate, the studio behind the billion-dollar box office hit, is reportedly debating whether to appeal the decision ahead of the October 31 submission deadline.

Meanwhile, films like 'Obsession' and 'Tender Loving Care' have already submitted and been accepted as 'comedies'. Unless the studio appeals and wins for its shot in the comedy/musical category, it could clear the way for leading man Jaafar to score a nomination.

If not, he will have to contend in the more competitive drama categories. Meanwhile, this shift in categories will not reportedly affect the supporting actors like Colman Domingo.

Golden Globe awards 2027The 84th Annual Golden Globe Awards will take place on Sunday, January 10, 2027, live from the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California. Nominations will be announced on Monday, December 7, 2026.

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Key quotes

• “a musical can be a comedy or a drama in which songs are used in addition to spoken dialogue to further the plot.”