Michael Jackson Biopic Success Overshadowed by Brother Jermaine’s ¥1 Billion Court-Ordered Payout

Failed to file a response to the lawsuit

In a lawsuit filed against singer Jermaine Jackson (71), the older brother of Michael Jackson, over allegations of sexual misconduct involving Rita Butler Barrett, the Los Angeles Superior Court ordered Jermaine and his affiliated companies to pay more than $6.5 million (approximately ¥1.03 billion) by May 15 (local time), citing their failure to respond appropriately to the litigation.

According to reports from the American news site RadarOnline.com and the online edition of People magazine, the two met in the 1980s through Berry Gordy, founder of the record label Motown. Barrett alleges that around the spring of 1988, Jermaine appeared uninvited at her Los Angeles home and sexually assaulted her.

Barrett further claims that she suffered:

“Severe mental, physical, and psychological harm, including humiliation, shame, guilt, financial losses, loss of earning capacity, and permanent emotional distress.”

Although the alleged incident took place nearly 40 years ago, Barrett filed the lawsuit under a lookback window law, which temporarily revives or extends the statute of limitations for civil claims involving past sexual abuse, allowing victims to pursue legal action that would otherwise have been time-barred.

“Jermaine denied the rape allegations in response to media inquiries. His representatives also criticized Barrett’s claims as false and financially motivated. However, because he failed to submit a formal response to the court by the required deadline, it appears a judgment ordering damages was issued. The reason he did not file a response remains unknown, but if a defendant does not contest the case, there is a high likelihood that the plaintiff’s claims will be accepted. Compensation awarded in sexual violence cases in the United States is on a completely different scale from Japan, and such judgments often involve enormous sums,” said a source familiar with Hollywood affairs.

Jermaine is the third son of the Jackson family. His younger siblings include Michael Jackson, who died in 2009 at the age of 50, and Janet Jackson (60). As a member of The Jackson 5, he shared lead vocal duties with Michael. Following his solo career, he released hit songs such as “Let’s Get Serious” and received five Grammy Award nominations.

Michael is a major box-office success across the United States

“Michael, the biographical film starring Jermaine’s son, singer Jaafar Jackson (29), as Michael Jackson, has become a huge hit in the United States. As a result, the lawsuit involving allegations of sexual assault against Jermaine also attracted nationwide attention. The timing could not have been worse, but it does not appear to have affected the film’s performance,” said the previously quoted Hollywood insider.

Released in the United States on April 24, Michael is a highly anticipated biopic depicting Michael Jackson’s life—from his childhood and success with the sibling group The Jackson 5 to his rise as a global superstar through a string of solo hits, while also exploring the glory and loneliness that accompanied his fame. Jaafar Jackson’s recreations of performances such as “Thriller” have also received widespread praise.

“According to the American box-office tracking site Box Office Mojo, the film earned approximately ¥4.15 billion in North America between May 15 and 17. Since its release on May 1, it has become a major hit, even surpassing The Devil Wears Prada 2, which had held the number-one position for a consecutive week. Worldwide box-office revenue has exceeded ¥110 billion. The film opens in Japan on June 12, and it is widely expected to become a major hit there as well,” said a representative from a foreign film distribution company.

It was amid this backdrop that the massive damages order against Jermaine was issued. Whether Jermaine’s side will appeal the ruling or continue maintaining a hands-off approach remains unclear. The developments surrounding the case are attracting nearly as much attention as the film itself.