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Image of Mr. Fiennes: commons.wikipedia.org

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Image of Mr. Jackson: en.wikipedia.org

British actor, Joseph Fiennes, recently shared that he was shocked when he landed the role of Michael Jackson in the forthcoming half hour comedy, Elizabeth, Michael & Marlon, which follows the trio as they take a road trip out of New York following 9/11. The actor told ET, “I’m a white, middle-class guy from London . . . I’m as shocked as you may be.”

  • He added, “Jackson definitely had an issue  . . . a pigmentation issue . . . and that’s something I do believe . . . He was probably closer to my color than his original color.”
  • The actor also wanted people to remember that it is a comedy. He said, “It’s a light comedy look . . . It’s not in any way malicious. It’s actually endearing.”
  • Following the announcement of the casting on Wednesday, January 27th, a new hashtag surfaced on Twitter, #whitewashing.
  • Interestingly enough the King of Pop may also have been unhappy with the casting. During an interview with Oprah WInfrey in 1993, he addressed a rumor that he wanted a white child to portray him in a Pepsi commercial. Jackson said, “That is so stupid . . . That’s the most ridiculous, horrifying story I’ve ever heard. It’s crazy. I mean, why? Number one, it’s my face as a child in the commercial. Me, when I was little. Why would I want a white child to play me? I’m a black American. I’m proud to be a black American. I am proud of my race. I am proud of who I am. I have a lot of pride in who I am and dignity.”

Click here for the Oprah interview with Michael Jackson on YouTube.