Kanye West Draws Fire Over Michael Jackson Impersonator In “FATHER” Visual

Kanye West just dropped a music video that’s got people talking for all the wrong reasons.

The “FATHER” visual, which features Travis Scott and premiered Saturday, includes a Michael Jackson impersonator named Fabio Jackson sitting in a church pew, and the internet’s not happy about it.

Fabio, 32, confirmed his involvement in the Bianca Censori-directed video by reposting clips on Instagram and TikTok.

He praised the entire production crew, especially Censori, calling her welcoming and positive throughout the shoot.

“It was amazing. All this was very magical to me because this was my very first involvement in a music video,” he said in a TikTok reaction.

The backlash started immediately. Fans and commenters questioned why Ye needed an MJ impersonator at all, with some arguing that using Jackson’s likeness years after his death feels exploitative.

The timing makes the controversy even sharper.

A Michael Jackson biopic starring Jaafar Jackson hits theaters April 24, and the cultural conversation around MJ’s legacy is already intense.

Last November, Fabio and other Jackson impersonators criticized the film’s trailer for missing key stylization details. He even told TMZ he wished he’d auditioned for the lead role in the biopic.

Fabio’s appearance in the video has sparked debate about whether using impersonators to represent deceased icons crosses an ethical line. The video itself features an eclectic cast, including astronauts and a knight on horseback, but Fabio’s MJ look is what has people enraged.

Ye’s been getting praise for the track and video quality overall, especially after years of controversy that damaged his reputation.

Kanye’s got bigger moves coming. He’s headlining all three nights of Wireless Festival in London from July 10-12.