Spring‑Season Legal Storm: The New Michael Jackson Document and the Estate’s Outburst
There’s a fresh film spicing up the headline noise in the pop‑star‑zone. The Sundance‑premiered documentary Leaving Neverland purports that two men in their thirties expose sex‑abuse claims against the late King of Pop, who allegedly had “long‑running relationships” with kids aged seven and ten. Right off the bat, the estate that manages Michael Jackson’s legacy slammed the production as “outrageous” and “pathetic.”
What the Estate Says
- Claim: the show is a “lurid production” aimed at cashing in on Jackson’s name.
- “It’s a rehash of dated and discredited allegations.”
- “Baffling why any credible filmmaker would involve themselves with this project.”
The Accusers and Their Stories
Wade Robson, a choreographer who sued Jackson in 2013, and James Safechuck, who sued the estate in 2015, are the central figures in the film. Both lawsuits were dismissed in 2017. Now, each claims they were molested at ages 7 and 10, respectively, and decide to speak out years later when they’re in their thirties.
Director’s Defense
Dan Reed, who previously tackled the 2015 Charlie Hebdo incident, argues that sexual abuse is “complicated” and that survivors “must be listened to.” He believes the documentary illustrates the emotional toll on the men and their families, and he appreciates the courage it takes to confront long‑held secrets. “I have no doubt about their validity,” he says.
The Legacy of Allegations
Michael Jackson died in 2009 after an overdose of propofol. During his life, he faced multiple child‑sex‑abuse allegations, was acquitted in a 2005 California trial, and paid a court settlement in 1994 over a different case. This new documentary adds another chapter to an already tumultuous history.
