Kat Graham Describes ‘Surreal’ Moment Getting Cast in Michael Jackson Biopic: ‘I Never Imagined Myself Like Diana Ross’ (Exclusive)

Kat Graham still finds it “surreal” to play Diana Ross in the upcoming Michael Jackson biopic.

PEOPLE talked to Heat wave actress, 35, at the 2024 TIME100 Next event at Pier59 Studios in New York City on Wednesday, October 9, about stepping into the role of the Supremes singer, 80.

“The hair is a little bigger,” Graham jokes about the transformation. Changing her tone, she tells PEOPLE that finding out she got the part “was very, very surreal.”

Kat Graham, October 2024.

Jamie McCarthy/Getty

According to Graham, it was a full-circle moment because around the time she got the news, she was also working with her “good friend” Kendrick Sampson, who was cast as Quincy Jones in Michael.

“I’ve been close to Quincy for a long time. I think it’s been almost 20 years, so when I saw him playing someone who was like a father figure to me, there were a lot of surreal moments that were happening in real time for me,” she says of Sampson, 36, who plays the legendary musician producer, 91.

Never miss a story — subscribe to PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

However, when it comes to interpreting the “Endless Love” singer on the big screen, it’s something that Love in the villa the actress admits that she did not expect him to come.

Kat Graham; Diana Ross.

Monica Schipper/Getty; Harry Langdon/Getty

“I never imagined myself as – who imagines themselves as Diana Ross?” Graham tells PEOPLE. “Maybe in the shower or in the car. I didn’t think I would get it. I don’t think so. I’m just having a good time and trying to come from a good place.”

Graham adds that she is “excited” for fans to see the biopic, which she promises has “a lot of good music.”

Michael Jackson biopic unveils more actors, including Kat Graham as Diana Ross

“I hope to honor her with that film, and I hope to honor other black women with my work. Whether I’m a humanitarian or an actress,” Graham tells PEOPLE.

“Especially for Diana, she was someone who in the 1950s, 1960s, was part of a revolutionary time in music that I think influenced what happened in the civil rights movement, and I don’t think that’s a coincidence. , and it’s such an honor to play her,” adds Graham of the Grammy-nominated singer.

“All this seems like an honor to me.”

Michael Jackson’s nephew Jaafar Jackson in a first look photo from Biopic.

Kevin Mazur / Lionsgate

Jackson’s real-life nephew Jaafar Jackson will play the late King of Pop in a biopic. Colman Domingo stars as family patriarch Joe Jackson, with Nia Long as matriarch Katherine Jackson.

Graham says getting involved gave her “a bit of impostor syndrome”.

The The Vampire Diaries the star also reflected on the recent 15th anniversary of the supernatural series.

Kat Graham remembers having ’86 Cents to My Name’ when she got ‘The Vampire Diaries’

“At one point you think it’s going to die out and then you watch shows like Friends or some of these iconic shows, and you’re like, ‘Wow, wouldn’t it be great to be a part of something like that that has some kind of legacy.’ And it means a lot that so many young girls are watching it,” he tells PEOPLE.

“I will always love and support the fans of it. You are the best.”

Michael is in theaters on April 18, 2025.

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education