Achieving Financial Independence: A Path to Freedom and Security

 

Are you tired of living paycheck to paycheck? Do you dream of having the freedom to pursue your passions without being burdened by financial stress? Achieving financial independence is a goal that many of us strive for, but it can seem daunting and out of reach. However, with a clear understanding of what financial independence means and a solid plan, you can take control of your finances and start building a more secure and fulfilling future.

What is Financial Independence?

Financial independence is the state of having sufficient wealth to cover your living expenses without needing to work for money. It means having the freedom to pursue your goals and dreams without being constrained by financial limitations. Financial independence is not just about accumulating wealth; it's about creating a lifestyle that is sustainable, fulfilling, and aligned with your values.

Benefits of Financial Independence

Achieving financial independence can have a profound impact on your life. Some of the benefits include:

Freedom to pursue your passions: With financial independence, you have the freedom to pursue your passions and interests without being tied to a 9-to-5 job.
Reduced stress: Financial independence can reduce stress and anxiety related to money, allowing you to live a more peaceful and fulfilling life.
Increased security: Having a financial safety net can provide peace of mind and security, knowing that you can weather financial storms.
Improved relationships: Financial independence can also improve your relationships with family and friends, as you're no longer burdened by financial stress.

Steps to Achieving Financial Independence

Achieving financial independence requires discipline, patience, and a solid plan. Here are some steps to help you get started:

Set clear financial goals: Define what financial independence means to you and set specific, measurable, and achievable goals.
Live below your means: Adopt a frugal lifestyle and avoid overspending to free up more money for savings and investments.
Invest wisely: Invest your money in assets that generate passive income, such as stocks, real estate, or a small business.
Build multiple income streams: Diversify your income streams to reduce financial risk and increase your earning potential.
Pay off high-interest debt: Eliminate high-interest debt, such as credit card balances, to free up more money for savings and investments.
Build an emergency fund: Create an emergency fund to cover 3-6 months of living expenses in case of unexpected events.
Maximize tax-advantaged accounts: Utilize tax-advantaged accounts, such as RRSPs or TFSAs, to optimize your savings and investments.

Conclusion

Achieving financial independence is a journey that requires discipline, patience, and a solid plan. By setting clear financial goals, living below your means, investing wisely, and building multiple income streams, you can take control of your finances and start building a more secure and fulfilling future. Remember, financial independence is not just about accumulating wealth; it's about creating a lifestyle that is sustainable, fulfilling, and aligned with your values.

Resources

Books: "Your Money or Your Life" by Vicki Robin and Joe Dominguez, "The Simple Path to Wealth" by JL Collins
Websites: The Mad Fientist, Mr. Money Mustache, Financial Independence Canada
Communities: Reddit's r/financialindependence, Facebook groups dedicated to financial independence

Start Your Journey to Financial Independence Today!

Take the first step towards achieving financial independence by setting clear financial goals and creating a plan. Remember, it's a journey, not a destination. With discipline, patience, and the right resources, you can achieve financial independence and start living the life you've always dreamed of.

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The Ultimate Guide to Investing: A Beginner's Journey to Financial Freedom

 

Are you tired of living paycheck to paycheck? Do you dream of financial freedom and securing your future? Investing is a powerful tool that can help you achieve your financial goals, but it can seem daunting for beginners. In this post, we'll break down the basics of investing, explore different types of investments, and provide tips for getting started.

Why Invest?

Investing is a way to grow your wealth over time by putting your money into assets that have a potential for growth. By investing, you can:

Build wealth and achieve long-term financial goals
Generate passive income
Diversify your income streams
Reduce financial stress and anxiety

Types of Investments

There are many types of investments to choose from, each with its own unique characteristics, benefits, and risks. Here are some of the most common types of investments:

1. Stocks

Represent ownership in companies
Potential for high returns, but also high risk
Can be volatile in the short-term

2. Bonds

Represent debt obligations
Typically offer fixed returns, but with lower potential for growth
Generally considered lower-risk

3. Real Estate

Invest in physical properties or real estate investment trusts (REITs)
Potential for rental income and long-term appreciation
Can be illiquid and require significant capital

4. Mutual Funds

Diversified portfolios of stocks, bonds, or other securities
Managed by professionals
Can provide broad diversification and reduced risk

5. Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs)

Similar to mutual funds, but trade on an exchange like stocks
Offer flexibility and diversification
Can be more tax-efficient

6. Index Funds

Track a specific market index, such as the S&P 500
Provide broad diversification and can be low-cost
Can be a good option for beginners

Getting Started

Investing can seem overwhelming, but it's easier than you think. Here are some steps to get started:

Set your financial goals: What do you want to achieve through investing? When do you need the money?
Understand your risk tolerance: How comfortable are you with the possibility of losing money?
Choose your investments: Select a mix of investments that align with your goals and risk tolerance
Start small: Don't feel like you need to invest a lot of money at once
Automate your investments: Set up a regular investment schedule to make investing easier and less prone to emotional decisions
Educate yourself: Continuously learn about investing and personal finance

Tips for Success

Diversify your portfolio: Spread your investments across different asset classes to reduce risk
Have a long-term perspective: Investing is a marathon, not a sprint
Keep costs low: Minimize fees and expenses to maximize your returns
Avoid emotional decisions: Stay calm and rational when making investment decisions
Rebalance your portfolio: Periodically review and adjust your investments to ensure they remain aligned with your goals

Conclusion

Investing is a powerful tool for achieving financial freedom, but it can seem daunting for beginners. By understanding the basics of investing, exploring different types of investments, and following the tips outlined in this post, you can set yourself up for success. Remember to stay disciplined, patient, and informed, and you'll be on your way to achieving your financial goals.

Additional Resources

Books: "A Random Walk Down Wall Street" by Burton G. Malkiel, "The Little Book of Common Sense Investing" by John C. Bogle
Websites: Investopedia, The Balance, Seeking Alpha
Apps: Robinhood, Wealthsimple, Acorns

Start your investing journey today and take the first step towards achieving financial freedom!

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Anambra Police arrest 19-year-old who lures young girls he meets on social media to his home and holds them hostage until their families pay ransom for their release

 

Police operatives attached to Oba Police Divisional Headquarters of the Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra state today November 27 at about 11:54 am arrested one notorious K!dnapper and three other accomplices after a ransom of Two hundred thousand Naira was paid for the release of the victims in captivity. The operatives also rescued two female victims between the ages of 15 - 19 years in Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State. 

 

Preliminary investigation by the police revealed that the suspect, one Ifechukwu Ibesimako (M) aged 19 years of Aboji Village Oba and other three accomplices lured their victims through social media chats, by proposing friendship to them and holding them hostage until their relatives pay a certain amount to their gang before they are released. 

Also, the arrest of the suspect and his accomplice brought more revelations of their criminal activities in the area and a report of another female victim who had already paid ransom and was released months ago. 

 

Confirming the arrest to newsmen, the command's spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the state Commissioner of Police CP Nnaghe Obono Itam while admonishing the teeming youths to be careful of the people they meet on social media, directed the immediate transfer of the suspect to the Anti-Kidnapping/robbery Squad of the Command for comprehensive investigations.

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Take Action Against Gender-Based Violence: The Canadian government is taking steps to address gender-based violence and promote awareness

 

The Canadian government is taking concrete steps to address gender-based violence and promote awareness. A key initiative is the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence, which aims to create a Canada free of gender-based violence that supports victims, survivors, and their families .

 

Key Pillars of the National Action Plan:

Pillar 1: Support for Victims, Survivors, and Their Families - Providing critical services and safe spaces for those affected by gender-based violence.
Pillar 2: Prevention - Addressing the root causes of gender-based violence through education and awareness.
Pillar 3: Responsive Justice System - Ensuring the justice system is responsive to the needs of victims and survivors.
Pillar 4: Implementing Indigenous-Led Approaches - Working with Indigenous communities to develop tailored approaches to address gender-based violence.
Pillar 5: Social Infrastructure and Enabling Environment - Creating a supportive environment that promotes gender equality and challenges systemic barriers .

Additionally, the Canadian government has committed $100 million to support organizations addressing gender-based violence, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic ². These efforts demonstrate the government's dedication to addressing this critical issue and promoting a safer, more equitable society for all.

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BC Ferries Disruptions: BC Ferries has cancelled sailings on major routes due to an incoming storm

 

BC Ferries has cancelled sailings on major routes due to an incoming storm. For the latest updates and travel advisories, you can check the BC Ferries website for current conditions and service notices .

 

They also provide real-time information on sailing status, estimated deck space available, and terminal webcams to help plan your trip .

 

If you're looking for information on a specific route, such as Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay) to Nanaimo (Departure Bay), you can find the latest updates and sailing schedules on the BC Ferries website

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Nigerian government should fight for us - Filmmaker, Mary Njoku speaks out after her 7am flight was moved to 6pm without explanation from the airline

 

Actress Mary Njoku has called on the Nigerian government to value its citizens and help fight for their rights. 

The producer said this while calling out airlines that cancel flights indiscriminately without making an effort to refund passengers their money or pacify the customers affected.

In a video she posted online on Saturday, May 4, Mary said she was supposed to fly to Accra this morning by 7am for something that involved her children. She said she got to the airport at about 5 am only for her to be told that the flight had been moved to 6pm.

She said the cancellation of flights have led to people losing businesses and others. She appealed to the Minister of Aviation to come up with policies that will put an end to the trend of flight cancellations.

 

 

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Toxicology result to determine Mohbad's cause of death now ready

 

The toxicology test carried out to determine the cause of death of late music star, Ilerioluwa Aloba aka Mohbad is ready after it was conducted in the United States.

Lagos State counsel, Oluwaseun Akinde, who confirmed this to the coroner’s court sitting in the Ikorodu area of the state in November 2023 said the autopsy into the external body of the deceased was completed while the toxicology test had to do with the internal body.

Mohbad died at the age of 27, on September 12, 2023, with circumstances surrounding his death sparking controversies on social media.

The Lagos State Police Command had, on September 18, 2023, inaugurated a 13-man special investigation team to probe the singer’s death.

Now, according to PUNCH, an official of the Lagos State Government said that the test result was sent to the state DNA and Forensic Centre last week.

 The official who spoke on condition of anonymity added that the test result was transmitted to the police earlier this week.

“The toxicology test is ready and given to the police. We projected 10 weeks from the outset but it came in before then. It was received by the DNA and Forensic Centre last week and has been sent to the police,” the source said.

Another source at the police reportedly said, 

“The toxicology report is with us. It arrived on Monday but it is medical jargon for us. We don’t understand what it is. So it has been sent to the pathologist that carried out the autopsy to analyse and interpret it.”

 

Remember, the Director of Lagos State DNA and Forensic Centre, Richard Somiari, on March 20 said that the toxicology result would be ready in the next three to four weeks.

Somiari, while testifying during a coroner’s inquest into the death of the singer said, “We expected to get the first set of autopsy results in three to four weeks and re-confirm to authenticate the cause of the death.

“We searched for multiple possibilities, to check if poison was involved in the death of Mohbad since no actual cause was mentioned,” he said.

“We have a place where items are stored for safety and security of results. There is a procedure for monitoring samples moved abroad,” he said.

 

 

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Ten year old strangles age mate during an argument on a football pitch in Lagos

 

The Lagos state police command has commenced an investigation after a ten-year-old identified as Israel Ogunleye was allegedly strangled by one Evbota Ezekiel, who is also ten years old, in the Ejigbo area of the state on March 28.

According to the police, the father of the deceased reported that his son was playing football with some boys at Oluwole Street, Powerline in Ejigbo where his mother's shop is situated. The bereaved father told the police that the boys had an argument and in the process,  Emmanuel allegedly held his son by the neck and strangled him until he died.

Police authorities immediately moved to the scene of the incident where they found the boy's body and immediately moved it to the General Hospital Isolo where doctors confirmed him dead on arrival. The body was then transferred to the mortuary where a post-mortem is expected to be done.

Confirming the incident to LIB, the spokesperson of the command, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, said the matter is currently being investigated.

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Nigerian lady left in shock after female tenant she brought into their house gets pregnant for her husband

 

A Nigerian lady who joined her husband in the UK last year, was left in shock after a lady she insisted on renting a room to, got pregnant for her husband.

 

According to the X user who shared the story online, the woman decided to do more jobs so she could help her husband with his tuition fee. Getting someone to look after their daughter was a problem so she decided to rent a room to a lady who would tend to her daughter when she and her husband went out. 

However, she discovered that her husband who she was toiling hard for to see through school and help with the home bills went astray and got their tenant pregnant.

 

Read the story below…

 

 

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Vigilant POS operator apprehends lady attempting to carry out transaction with fake Naira notes

 

A lady identified as Linda Ihebinike has been arrested after she allegedly attempted to carry out a transaction with fake Naira notes. 

 

 

 

Disclosing this to newsmen, the spokesperson of the Lagos state police command, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, said the lady was arrested after the vigilant POS operator noticed the fake currencies and raised alarm.

 

 

‘’A vigilant POS operator raised the alarm after a customer, Linda Ihebinike, attempted carrying out a transaction with fake N1000 notes to the tune of N90,000. Investigation is ongoing ‘’

 

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Stefflon Don credits "good p****" as she's gifted 2023 Rolls Royce Cullinan on her birthday

 

Stefflon Don got a brand new 2023 Rolls Royce Cullinan from her man as a birthday gift.

 

The British rapper went online to show off her new car on her birthday.

 

 

 

Then she took to her Instagram Stories to write: “That's what good p***y get you.”

 

 

Stefflon Don then took to X to thank her man and profess her love for him.

 

 

Though she did not name the man, many have speculated that she is back with her ex-boyfriend Burna Boy and they shared a seemingly recent photo of them together.

 

 

 

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38-year-old woman cries for a husband and kids and says she feels "betrayed by feminism" (video)

 

A 38-year-old single woman who ended her marriage because of her husband’s demands has cried out while blaming feminism as the reason she’s single with no child.

 

Melissa Persling wrote an article for Business Insider titled: “I’m 38 and single, and I recently realized I want a child. I’m terrified I’ve missed my opportunity.” 

She also granted an interview to Fox News Digital where she broke down crying, describing how she feared she would end up alone and childless.

The woman, who has now decided as she approaches her 39th birthday that she wants to settle down, have a family and a husband,  said she felt “betrayed by feminism”.
 

In her Business Insider article, Persling revealed that she married a traditional man t the age of 22 and moved to a rural community in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, where she grew up.

 

“He wanted a simple life with children and home-cooked meals. At that time I felt very strongly I did not want children, that I wasn’t going to be like the traditional housewife. I knew I did want to pursue a career, and I felt very strongly that that would never change. And I guess I was wrong,” she told Fox News.

 

Persling said she and her ex thought that love could conquer everything, but after 10 years, it was clear their differences in life goals were irreconcilable. She became resentful when he would ask for dinner or for his laundry to be done.

 

“I did little to hide my disdain for our small-town life. He was a good and hardworking man, but I don’t think I made him feel that way,” she said.

 

When she was 30, she and her ex-husband divorced.

 

“I told my friends and family I’d never get married again. I needed independence, a fulfilling career, and space to chart my own course, and I didn’t think marriage fit into that vision. I was content to look toward a future without a husband, children, or the trappings of a ‘traditional’ life,’” she wrote.

 

However, as she got older, she said the fun, carefree lifestyle, being wined and dined, and going to parties began to get old.

 

When she turned 38, terror began to take over.

 

“I was panic-stricken. I really thought I’m going to be alone forever. It really scared me. I don’t want people to miss out on the important things in life because they’re just enjoying themselves because I don’t think that that’s ever going to really make you happy,” she said.

 

She wrote in the article how she felt “urgency” to find a stable relationship and was rethinking about wanting marriage and children.

 

“I hardly recognized myself,” she wrote in the article. “I also began to feel selfish for spending so much time focusing solely on myself… My very existence started to feel shallow and hollow.”
 

In retrospect, Persling believed she had some self-discovery and work for herself to do, and it took time to sort through previous trauma. Her parents’ divorce, which she described as coming from “a broken home,” took time to heal and sort through to find out what she really wanted.
 

“I grew up in a fairly traditional family, but my parents were divorced. And I would say that probably had some effect on my feelings about having a family coming from a broken home certainly has its hardships,” she told Fox News Digital.
 

At one point, she recalled a man coming over to her in a coffee store who randomly told her not to lose hope – that God had a plan for her.
 

After publishing her story, she gave an update. She said her life took a happy turn, which she describes as the exception and not the rule for women in her age group.

Shortly after penning the article, she dated a man who she previously befriended. They’re already talking about marriage and a future.
 

She said: “So it’s a guy that I’ve been friends with, and we’ve always just sort of stayed in touch. And we did go on one date about a year ago, and I told him, ‘I just want to be friends with you.'”
 

After her epiphany that she wanted a traditional life – the realization that he was “the one” hit her like “a ton of bricks,” she said.
 

“This guy is the one that God’s been preparing for me,” she added.
 

“I’ve had these relationships since where there were so many butterflies and so many like, ‘Oh my gosh, checking my phone. Did he text?’ And I realized, that’s not love. 

That’s anxiety. I never knew where I stood with those people. I could never envision a future with those people.”
 

Persling said she is looking forward to a modest, meaningful and happy future.
 

“Moving into my future, I’m not going to be traveling. I’m not going to have a lot of extra money. I’m not going to be going out for fancy dinners and I’m OK with that,” she said. “I’m ready for that. I think that’s what’s really going to make me happy. Like I’m so done just making myself happy.”
 

“You think you’re happy when you’re doing all these things [when you’re single] to make yourself happy. I don’t think you really are. It’s the relationships that make you happy. It’s building something with another person. It’s creating a life with another person, having goals and plans with another person. It’s making other people happy. Making people you love happy. That’s happiness. I really don’t think I will know true happiness until I’m in that place.”
 

While Persling doesn’t consider herself a feminist, she attributed feminism – in part – as the reason she had thought negatively about marriage.

 

Watch a short clip from her interview below.

 

 

 

 

 

Business Insider writer Melissa Persling admits that feminism is a scam. She was lied to about living a party lifestyle until she hit 40 and realized she cannot mingle with a young crowd or party hard any longer. Feminist liberation is a lifelong imprisonment of solitude! pic.twitter.com/QCLCpwCIgd

— Marauder Magazine (@MarauderMag) December 13, 2023

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IN CANADA: Man charged in Winnipeg rooming house shootings was in Canadian military

 

Jamie Randy Felix charged with 4 counts of 2nd-degree murder in Nov. 26 Langside Street shooting

A man accused of fatally shooting four people in Winnipeg's West Broadway neighbourhood last weekend was a member of the Canadian Armed Forces for 11 years, a court heard earlier this year.

 

Jamie Randy Felix was arrested early Friday morning and charged with four counts of second-degree murder and one count of attempted murder. 

 

Court records show Felix had no criminal record until recently, when he was given a two-year suspended sentence and supervised probation after pleading guilty to assault causing bodily harm.

 

That charge stemmed from an incident at an apartment party in August 2021 where a drunk man ended up falling down the stairs, a provincial court heard on March 3 of this year.

 

The man spent nine days in hospital and suffered from some memory loss related to the night in question, and random dizziness, but otherwise made a full recovery, court heard.

 

During the March hearing, Crown attorney Tim Chudy told the court that Felix was a military veteran, who served 11 years and reached the rank of corporal.

 

It's unclear whether Felix is an active member of the Canadian Armed Forces, or was in March. CBC News has reached out to the Department of National Defence for comment. 

 

Felix's Instagram page features several photos of him in military uniforms. 

During a 2020 interview with CBC Radio's Now or Never, Felix described himself as a "Canadian soldier" who also worked in an office. 

One of several photos from Jamie Felix's Instagram account where he's pictured in a military uniform. (Jamie Randy Felix/Instagram)

He said he struggled with addiction following the murder of his twin brother in 2012, but later found help through a support group for men. 

 

He also described growing up in a "toxic" environment, where those around him were abusing drugs and alcohol.

 

He turned to fitness to avoid "going back to that lifestyle I tried to get away from my entire life," he said in the 2020 interview.

 

Melvin Swan, a retired corporal, told CBC on Friday that he met Felix when the young man was enrolled in Bold Eagle, a military training program geared toward Indigenous youth. 

 

Swan said he believes Felix joined the Canadian Army Reserves following the program, but he lost track of him over the years. 

 

"When I was dealing with him, he was respectful, he was a good guy," said Swan, adding that he also knew Felix's mother and twin brother. 

 

"I did the best I could to try to help him." 

News of Felix's arrest came as a shock to Swan. 

"I really don't know what to make of it.… My heart goes out to the families."

'I am sorry for what I did' 

During the March hearing, court also heard Felix was the only person who took responsibility for the August 2021 incident by turning himself in to police and providing a full statement detailing his involvement two days later.

 

"Notwithstanding that, there were probably lots of better ways to have dealt with the highly intoxicated" man who fell down the stairs, Chudy said. 

 

The Crown also noted Felix's pre-sentence report deemed him a medium risk to reoffend, which Chudy said "seemed a little bit high to me … for somebody who's never been in trouble with the law at all and has enforced the law."

 

Felix's lawyer, Laura Robinson, described her client as someone who had made positive contributions to his community but struggled with addictions. 

Felix is pictured in a photo from his Instagram page. Court records show he had no criminal record until recently, when he was given a two-year suspended sentence and supervised probation after pleading guilty to assault causing bodily harm. (Jamie Randy Felix/Instagram)

Robinson said Felix had sought treatment once and left early, but had since started filling out applications for another residential treatment facility and hoped to go back to school to complete his business diploma.

 

The lawyer said the focus in sentencing her client should be on providing him support "so that we don't see him back before the court."

 

"But certainly given his lack of record, he certainly seems to be on the right track himself," Robinson said.

 

CBC listened to recordings of the proceedings. When given the chance to speak for himself, Felix was soft-spoken as he apologized for his actions.

 

"I should have handled it in a better way, but I am sorry for what I did," he said.

The conditions of his suspended sentence included attending any counselling or programming directed by probation services. He was also prohibited from owning or possessing any weapons during his probation period.

 

Judge Sandra Chapman told Felix she saw him as someone who had struggled with significant challenges, "and yet it's very warming, from the court's perspective, to see how hard you've worked to try to overcome those difficulties."

 

"You really could be an individual that could help your community a lot by, on the one hand, understanding what they go through," Chapman said.

 

She also thanked both lawyers for coming to a joint sentencing recommendation that would not see Felix serve time in jail.

 

"It is one that could have gone a whole other way, and we could end up with Mr. Felix in custody. And fortunately, that's not what's happening here."

 

 Source: .cbc.ca

 

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EXCLUSIVE: Michael Jackson's nephew Jaafar Jackson is the spitting image of the King of Pop as he shows off dance moves while filming biopic Michael in Los Angeles

 

Jaafar Jackson was the spitting image of his uncle and King of Pop, Michael Jackson, as he kicked off the first day of filming for the upcoming biopic, Michael, in Los Angeles on Monday. 

 

The budding star, 27 - who was announced in January to be portraying the late singer - showed off his impeccable dance skills while rehearsing on set of the  project which should be released in 2025.

 

Jaafar donned a pair of black trousers that contained a gold stripe on the sides as well as a plain white shirt. He layered the look with a button up that was left unfastened. 

 

The ensemble was similar to an outfit the Smooth Criminal hitmaker had worn on stage while performing hits such as Man In The Mirror. 

 

The actor could be seen standing in front of a white back drop and stepped into the shoes of his uncle while rehearsing with an empty microphone stand before filming began.

 

 

 

 Jaafar Jackson, 27, was the spitting image of his uncle and King of Pop, Michael Jackson, as he kicked off the first day of filming for the upcoming biopic, Michael, in Los Angeles on Monday

The actor was seen arriving to the set donning a warm sweatshirt and black sweatpants before transforming into the Smooth Criminal hitmaker 

Jaafar was also seen arriving to the set sporting a casual ensemble that comprised of a teal sweatshirt as well as a pair of comfy, black sweatpants. 

 

He slipped into a pair of gray sneakers that were secured with laces and added black sunglasses to his look. 

 

Production on the movie was paused during the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes, but has officially resumed. 

The premise of the biopic is slated to follow Jackson's entire life, such as his rise to fame with The Jackson Five and possibly the controversies he had faced as well - including child sexual abuse allegations in the 1990s. 

 

The star passed away at the age of 50 in Los Angeles due to cardiac arrest caused by a drug overdose. 

In January, Jaafar was revealed to have been cast as the leading role of Michael in the biopic, per Deadline, and at the time, jumped to his social media pages to express his excitement.

 

He shared a black and white image of himself wearing a similar outfit Jackson had worn in the past while striking a dance pose inside a studio.

 

'I'm humbled and honored to bring my Uncle Michael's story to life. To all the fans all over the world, I'll see you soon,' he penned in the caption.

Jaafar donned a pair of black trousers that contained a gold stripe on the sides as well as a plain white shirt

 

 

The budding star showed off his impeccable dance skills while rehearsing on set of the anticipated project

The actor could be seen standing in front of a white back drop and stepped into the shoes of his uncle while rehearsing with an empty microphone stand

 

 

 

In January, the actor and singer was revealed to have been cast as the leading role of Michael in the biopic, per Deadline, and at the time, jumped to his social media pages to express his excitement

The premise of the biopic is slated to follow Jackson's entire life, such as his rise to fame with The Jackson Five and possibly the controversies he had faced as well

He slipped into a pair of gray sneakers that were secured with laces and added black sunglasses to his look while arriving to the set

Antoine Fuqua was confirmed to have been given the big role as the director on the film earlier this year in January 

That same month, Antoine Fuqua was confirmed to have been given the big role as the director on the film. He is known for working on other projects such as The Equalizer, The Terminal List, and also Southpaw. 

Fuqua is also working alongside Hollywood producer, Graham King, who has been involved with films including The Aviator, Bohemian Rhapsody, as well as The Departed.

In a statement, the filmmaker expressed his thrill to be a part of the project. 'The first films of my career were music videos, and I still feel that combining film and music are a deep part of who I am.'

'For me, there is no artist with the power, the charisma, and the sheer musical genius of Michael Jackson. I was influenced to make music videos by watching his work – the first Black artist to play in heavy rotation on MTV.'

He added, 'His music and those images are part of my worldview, and the chance to tell his story on the screen alongside his music was irresistible.'

Graham also had the chance to share his excitement as well in a statement of his own, per Deadline.

'I first met the Jackson family in 1981 and I’m humbled to bring their legacy to the big screen. Sitting at Dodger Stadium watching the Victory Tour, I could never have imagined that nearly 38 years later I would get the privilege to be a part of this film.'

Michael's mother, Katherine, also gave her blessing to the creation of the biopic that will depict her late son's life.

He shared a black and white image of himself wearing a similar outfit Jackson had worn in the past while striking a dance pose inside a studio

'I'm humbled and honored to bring my Uncle Michael's story to life. To all the fans all over the world, I'll see you soon,' he penned in the caption

Fuqua is also working alongside Hollywood producer, Graham King, who has been involved with films including The Aviator, Bohemian Rhapsody, as well as The Departed

The director added, 'His music and those images are part of my worldview, and the chance to tell his story on the screen alongside his music was irresistible'

Michael's mother, Katherine, also gave her blessing to the creation of the biopic that will depict her late son's life

The upcoming Lionsgate film - which is being made with the help of Jackson's estate - does not have a set premiere date

Ever since Michael was little, as a member of The Jackson 5, he loved the magic of cinema. As a family, we are honored to have our life story come alive on the big screen.'

The upcoming Lionsgate film - which is being made with the help of Jackson's estate - does not have a set premiere date.

 

Last month in October, it was revealed that Universal garnered the international rights to the Michael biopic, per The Hollywood Reporter.   

Joe Drake from Lionsgate Motion Picture Group expressed in a statement, 'Michael's decades-long career left an indelible mark on the way audiences experience entertainment all over the world.' 

 

He added, 'We are thrilled to be partnering with our friends at Universal to give global audiences new insight into the complex life of one of the most prolific artists the world has ever known.' 

 

In August, director Antoine Fuqua, opened up about having the late singer's nephew take on the leading role in the film and stated Jaafar has an 'uncanny' resemblance to his late uncle. 

Joe Drake from Lionsgate Motion Picture Group expressed in a statement, 'Michael's decades-long career left an indelible mark on the way audiences experience entertainment all over the world'

In August, director Antoine Fuqua, opened up about having the late singer's nephew take on the leading role in the film and stated Jaafar has an 'uncanny' resemblance to his late uncle

He continued by admitting, 'It's really uncanny. Graham King, who is a fantastic producer, found him, and introduced him to me, and I was blown away'; Jaafar seen with La Toya Jackson in 2019 in Los Angeles 

 

'It's uncanny how much he's like Michael,' the filmmaker gushed to Entertainment Weekly. 'Sounds like him, dances like him, sings.'

 

He continued by admitting, 'It's really uncanny. Graham King, who is a fantastic producer, found him, and introduced him to me, and I was blown away.'

 

Jaafar is no stranger to the entertainment, and has been both singing and dancing since he was 12-years-old.

He is also the son of Alejandra Genevieve Oaziaza and Jermaine Jackson - the brother of Michael who was also a member of The Jackson 5.

 

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