Kat Graham has confirmed that her portrayal of Diana Ross will not appear in the final cut of Michael, the upcoming Michael Jackson biopic from Lionsgate and director Antoine Fuqua.
The film, which opens in theaters this Friday, stars Jaafar Jackson—Michael Jackson’s real-life nephew—as the King of Pop. The cast also includes Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson, Nia Long as Katherine Jackson, Miles Teller, Laura Harrier, Larenz Tate, and more.
READ: Meet the Full Cast of the Michael Jackson Biopic, ‘Michael’…So Far
In a social media post shared ahead of release, Graham revealed that scenes she filmed as the Motown icon were removed from the final version of the film.
“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,” Graham wrote. “Unfortunately, those moments are no longer part of the final cut, though the team worked hard to preserve as much of the story as possible.”
She did not specify the exact nature of the legal issues behind the decision.
The removal of Diana Ross from the film is one of several notable changes made during post-production. Reports indicate the biopic underwent significant restructuring after legal concerns tied to dramatizing parts of Jackson’s life—particularly material connected to past allegations and settlement agreements that limited what could be portrayed on screen.
Earlier drafts of the film reportedly included material addressing accusations made against Jackson in the 1990s, but portions were later removed after legal restrictions surrounding the case were identified.
Ross, however, has long been considered an important figure in Jackson’s life and mythology. The two shared a close bond dating back to his early years with the Jackson 5, with Jackson even referencing her influence in interviews and music history lore surrounding his career.
Directed by Antoine Fuqua, Michael focuses heavily on Jackson’s early life, his rise within the Jackson 5, and his complicated relationship with his father and manager, Joe Jackson.
The film is expected to open strongly at the box office, with early projections suggesting a major debut both domestically and globally.