Who Are Jaafar Jackson’s Parents?
Jaafar Jackson, the rising star portraying his late uncle Michael Jackson in the 2026 biopic Michael, comes from one of entertainment’s most iconic families. Born in July 1996, Jaafar is the son of Jermaine Jackson — Michael’s older brother and an original member of the Jackson 5 — and Alejandra Genevieve Oaziaza, a Colombian-born fashion designer. The couple, who married in 1995 and divorced in 2008, also share a younger son, Jermajesty Jermaine Jackson, born in October 2000.
Jaafar kept his casting in Michael under wraps for a full year before sharing the news with his family. “No one in my family knew for a full year. I kept it pretty quiet until I felt comfortable enough to share it,” he told Interview magazine. “But when my mom saw it on-screen, it blew her away.”
Jermaine Jackson: From Jackson 5 to Solo Stardom
Jermaine is the fourth-oldest child of Joe and Katherine Jackson and the older brother of Michael Jackson. He was one of the original members of the Jackson Brothers in 1964 alongside Tito and Jackie, before the group was renamed the Jackson 5 in 1966 to include Marlon and Michael.
Jermaine served as second vocalist and bass player for the Jackson 5 from 1964 to 1975, and later rejoined the group in 1983 as they rebranded to the Jacksons. The group earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Jermaine also found solo success in the 1980s, earning a Grammy nomination for his 1980 album Let’s Get Serious and scoring multiple top 30 hits on the Billboard charts.
Alejandra Genevieve Oaziaza: Fashion Designer and Cultural Advocate
Alejandra, who hails from Colombia, is a fashion designer and founder of Alejandra Jackson Designs. After graduating from UCLA with a degree in fashion design and marketing, she built a company that translates “the Colombian and Peruvian cultures of textiles into an array of handmade designs,” according to her LinkedIn profile.
Her company’s mission centers on environmental respect and preserving traditional textile techniques, passing skills “from generation to generation as an integral part of life.”
Jermaine’s Marriages and Relationships
Before his relationship with Alejandra, Jermaine was married to Hazel Gordy — daughter of Motown founder Berry Gordy — from 1973 to 1988. They had three children: Jermaine La Jaune “Jay” Jackson Jr. (born 1977), Autumn Joi Jackson (born 1978), and Jaimy Jermaine Jackson (born 1987).
Jermaine also had two sons with producer Margaret Maldonado: Jeremy Maldonado Jackson (born 1986) and Jourdynn Michael Jackson (born 1989).
A Complicated Family History: Alejandra’s Past With Randy Jackson
Before her marriage to Jermaine, Alejandra was in a relationship with his younger brother, Randy Jackson. The couple met in 1986, when she was about 17 and Randy was 24, and dated for several years, The New York Post reported.
Though they never married, they welcomed two children: daughter Genevieve Katherine Jackson (born 1989) and son Steven Randall Jackson, Jr. (born 1992).
Marriage, Children, and Divorce
Jermaine and Alejandra tied the knot on March 18, 1995, but their marriage lasted just over eight years before Jermaine filed for divorce in 2004. During their time together, they welcomed Jaafar in July 1996 and Jermajesty in October 2000. Alejandra also raised Donte Jackson, the adopted son of Katherine and Joe Jackson, per Deadline.
Their divorce was finalized in 2008, with Alejandra granted physical custody of their children and Jermaine ordered to pay $3,000 a month in child support, TMZ reported at the time.
Jermaine’s Third Marriage to Halima Rashid
In August 2004, Jermaine married Halima Rashid. The couple was together for nearly 12 years before Halima filed for divorce in 2016, citing irreconcilable differences. Their separation date was listed as November 28, 2015, per E! News — shortly after Halima was arrested in Los Angeles on suspicion of domestic violence in 2015. She was not charged, and the case was later closed, TMZ reported.
Halima released a statement to PEOPLE saying, “With a great amount of sorrow and regret, I today announce that I am filing for divorce from Jermaine Jackson. We have enjoyed many good times during our marriage of nearly 12 years, but we have reached a point where our lives would be better and more productive if we are not married.”
Supporting Jaafar Through the Years
Jermaine has remained a visible presence in his children’s lives, attending numerous events alongside Jaafar and Jermajesty over the years. In July 2009, a month after Michael’s death, Jermaine brought his youngest sons to the Save the World Awards, which honored the late King of Pop.
In June 2011, Jaafar and Jermajesty joined their father to unveil The Michael Jackson Experience at Madame Tussauds in Hollywood. Most recently, in April 2026, Jermaine proudly supported Jaafar at the Los Angeles premiere of Michael, the biopic in which his son steps into the role of their legendary uncle.
