The awards season conversation around Michael has been a rollercoaster of record-breaking highs and frustrating setbacks. But this week, the film received a major validation: three nominations from the Hollywood Music in Media Awards (HMMA), including a Best Song Performance nod for Jaafar Jackson’s electrifying rendition of “Bad.” For a biopic that has already become the highest-grossing music biopic of all time, these nominations signal that the industry is finally taking the film’s musical achievements—and its breakout star—seriously.
The HMMA recognition is not just another trophy on a shelf. It is a crucial indicator in the long, winding road toward the Oscars, and it raises the stakes for the film’s awards campaign. But with a Golden Globes snub already on the record and a crowded Best Actor race ahead, the real question is whether Jaafar Jackson is ready to impress the voters who matter most.
🎶 The HMMA Nominations: A Musical Triumph
The Hollywood Music in Media Awards announced its 2026 nominees on November 2, and Michael was among the leading films with three nominations, tying with The Odyssey and Behemoth!. These nominations recognize the film’s music across multiple categories, but the standout is Jaafar Jackson’s nod for Best Song Performance for “Bad” .
This is a significant achievement. The HMMA is not a niche ceremony; it is a bellwether for the Oscars. Last year, three of the five Oscar-nominated songs and 11 of the 15 shortlisted songs came from HMMA’s song categories, and four of the seven score categories contained Oscar nominees. The voting body includes members of the motion picture, television, and recording academies, making these nominations a direct signal of industry approval.
The winners will be announced on November 18 at the Avalon Hollywood. A win here would give the film—and Jaafar—a powerful narrative boost heading into the heart of awards season.
🎭 Jaafar Jackson: “Oscar-Worthy” Despite the Critics
The HMMA nomination is the latest in a series of personal accolades for Jaafar Jackson, and they paint a picture of a performance that has transcended the film’s mixed critical reception.
Michael currently sits at a modest 38% on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics calling the screenplay “sanitised” and “one-note”. But almost every review, even the negative ones, singles out Jaafar’s performance as the film’s saving grace. The Telegraph India called it “Oscar-worthy,” writing that “there are moments where the line between actor and icon genuinely blurs”. Variety‘s chief film critic praised his ability to get “Michael’s tentative high sugary voice just right”.
The industry has already begun to reward him. He won Best Actor at the 2026 Astra Midseason Movie Awards, beating out a field that included Chiwetel Ejiofor and Ryan Gosling. At the National Film Awards UK, he took home both Outstanding Performance and Best Newcomer for his feature film debut. These wins, voted for by both industry professionals and the public, demonstrate that his performance resonates beyond the critics’ circle.
⚠️ The Golden Globes Snub: A Hurdle, Not a Wall
The path to Oscar glory is not without obstacles. In October, the Golden Globes rejected Michael‘s submission for the Musical/Comedy category, forcing the film and its star to compete in the more crowded Drama categories. This was a strategic blow, as the Musical/Comedy category is often seen as an easier path to a nomination for a music-driven film.
However, this setback does not spell the end of Jaafar’s awards hopes. The Golden Globes are famously unpredictable, and the HMMA nominations, combined with his Astra and National Film Awards wins, provide alternative streams of momentum. The HMMA, in particular, is a strong Oscar bellwether, and a win there would keep his name in the conversation even without a Globe nomination.
🏆 Is Jaafar Ready to Impress?
Yes—but the road ahead is steep.
Jaafar Jackson has already impressed the audiences and the industry bodies that have seen his work. He has the trophies to prove it. His performance is widely considered the best part of a film that has divided critics but captivated the public, grossing over $900 million globally and becoming the highest-grossing music biopic of all time.
The HMMA nominations give him a fresh platform at a critical moment. The November 18 ceremony is a chance to add another major prize to his collection and to remind voters of his performance just as the Oscar campaign enters its final stretch. The question is not whether Jaafar Jackson can act—he has already proven he can. The question is whether the Academy will see past the film’s flaws and recognize the star-making turn at its center. With the HMMA nod, his case is stronger than ever.
