Diana Ross Cut from Michael Biopic

Kat Graham's portrayal of Diana Ross has been excised from Michael, the Michael Jackson biopic opening today, due to what the actress calls "certain legal considerations." Graham was announced for the role in March 2024, but confirmed Thursday on social media that her scenes "are no longer part of the final cut."

Ross and Jackson were close throughout his life—she mentored the young Jackson 5 singer at Motown, co-starred with him in The Wiz (1978), and was named secondary guardian to his children in his will. The biopic has been plagued by legal issues, including the removal of scenes related to child sexual abuse allegations after a settlement clause forbade any mention of one accuser.

Variety speculates the Ross scenes may have been cut alongside those related to the 1993 lawsuit. The film, starring Jackson's nephew Jaafar Jackson, releases today.