Featured Talent : Rhyan Hill https://www.instagram.com/_rhyanhill/
Photography: Storm Santos https://www.instagram.com/stormsantos/
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The biographical musical drama is the story of pop superstar Michael Jackson from his extraordinary early days in the Jackson 5 to the visionary artist whose creative ambition fuels a relentless pursuit to become the biggest entertainer in the world. The ensemble cast features Nia Long as Katherine Jackson, Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson, and Miles Teller, Larenz Tate. Michael Jackson’s real-life nephew, Jaafar Jackson, stars as Michael.
What initially drew you to the role of Tito Jackson in Michael, and what did that responsibility mean to you personally and professionally?
What drew me to the role of Tito Jackson was my connection to the Jackson family's music. I grew up listening to Michael Jackson and The Jacksons, so being part of a project that celebrates their legacy was a no brainer. I connect to Tito because, like him, I discovered my passion for performing at a young age. I’ve also always wanted the opportunity to blend my passions for acting, dancing, and singing into one project, and what better way to do that than with Michael.
This responsibility meant a great deal to me. Tito is such a well-known figure, and it was important for me to study everything I could in order to embody him. It was truly an honor to play him and I hope I did him justice.
How did you prepare to portray a real-life figure like Tito Jackson, especially someone from such an iconic and closely watched family?
I prepared to portray Tito by diving deep into his story. I read and watched every interview, performance, article, and photo I could find to better understand who he was and his presence. I had never played guitar before, so I learned the songs with my amazing instructor, Erica Shafer. Along with the guitar work, we had rehearsals with the choreographers Rich and Tone, who were Michael’s real choreographers. Every day, I was learning something new about him, and all of that work really helped me prepare.
The Jackson 5 era is such a defining part of the story—how did you and the cast build that brotherly chemistry on screen?
The Jackson 5 are a very important part of Michael’s story. That’s where his journey began, and you can really see how much fun they had together. When we first started rehearsals, our brotherly chemistry came naturally. We instantly clicked, which helped create a real bond that translated to the screen. We even ate lunch together, went bowling, and played Topgolf. We genuinely became brothers and we, like the real Jacksons, had fun on and off stage.
As a dancer with major performance experience, how did your background influence your approach to this role?
I started in theater at seven years old, where I trained in acting, dance, and singing at Amazing Grace Conservatory. In every performance I do, I’m embodying a character—even if I’m just dancing. So I approached this role the same way I approach any character: by understanding the backstory and developing who the character is, so I can make intentional choices in my performance.
As a dancer, approaching the role helped me pick up the choreography. I’ve trained in styles such as hip-hop, jazz, dancehall, and step, so I was able to bring a strong rhythm to the performances. However, it was a challenge to balance that while playing the guitar and that is something I worked very hard to figure out.
You’ve performed on huge stages like the Super Bowl—how did acting in a film of this scale compare to those live performance experiences?
There were both similarities and differences between this film and my other live performances. For example, during the Victory Tour performances, I was able to draw from my experience performing on stage with artists, but this time, I got to step into the role of the artist myself.
It was different, though, because I was portraying someone who is very well known and there were details on and off stage that I needed to pay attention to. Acting in this film was a unique experience, and it required a different level of focus and responsibility.
What was it like working alongside Jaafar Jackson, portraying his uncle, and how did his real-life connection to Michael shape the set?
Working with Jaafar was incredible. He spent over two years preparing to portray his uncle, and he delivers a truly show stopping performance. There were moments when it felt like I was acting alongside Michael himself.
His connection to Michael had a huge impact on the set. He has so much love for Michael and his entire family, and it was a blessing that he allowed us into that space. He’s also very personable, someone who loves to have fun and crack jokes. He’s an incredibly hard worker, and he’s a brother for sure.
Can you share any memorable moments from working with director Antoine Fuqua or producer Graham King?
I have a lot of memorable moments with Graham and Antoine but I will narrow it down. One that stands out is when I booked the role. They told me in person, and I was so shocked that I just kept thanking them.
Another moment was during a scene where I was playing the guitar. They were impressed and complimented me on my playing, especially since I had never played before this film. That meant a lot to me, and it’s definitely a moment I’ll always carry with me.
Before we shot the backstage scene for Motown 25, Antoine let us watch Jaafar perform “Billie Jean” to help fuel our energy for the scene, and that allowed us to fully step into the moment and bring the right level of excitement.
You can tell that Graham and Antoine have a deep love for Michael Jackson, and they handled his story with great care. They created a safe and friendly set that allowed us to make choices that fueled the story. I still can’t believe I had the opportunity to work with two such influential figures in the industry.
The film explores both the triumphs and challenges of Michael Jackson’s life—how does Tito fit into that emotional journey?
Michael Jackson started his career in the Jackson 5, which was essentially one of the first boy bands, and he remained with the group until 1984. Tito, who played guitar in the group, was also Michael’s older brother.
Tito and the Jacksons were very close-knit and played an active role in Michael’s life. He was there through both the highs and the lows, serving as a supportive and caring older brother figure. He recognized Michael’s talent from the very beginning and always wanted what was best for him. Tito truly loved his brother and supported him every step of the way.
With such a talented ensemble cast, what did you learn from your co-stars like Nia Long, Colman Domingo, or Miles Teller?
I had the opportunity to work closely with Nia Long and Colman Domingo, and watching them in scenes was truly a treat. There was so much impact in the subtlety they brought to their performances, and that’s something I definitely studied and learned from them. Aside from acting, they are so loving, caring , and funny and it was great being around them.
What do you hope audiences take away from your portrayal of Tito and from Michael as a whole?
I hope people take away the genuine love and fun Tito he had with his family. Tito was the more reserved of the Jackson brothers and was also in his element when he was on stage.
I hope audiences see how human Michael was and learn who he was when he wasn’t on stage. I want them to walk away with a deeper understanding of Michael’s story and a renewed appreciation for his music and who he was as a person.
This project means so much to me and I am very thankful to be a part of this historic moment!
Whats your favorite The Jacksons song or Michael Jackson?
My favorite song from The Jacksons is "Blame it On The Boogie" and my favorite Michael Jackson song is "Jam"!
How can fans reach out and support you?
You can follow me on Instagram @_rhyanhill and Tiktok @___rhyan
