Paris Jackson and MJ Fans Stand up for the ‘King of Pop’

The ‘King of pop’ left his loyal fans several years ago; yet his life repeatedly comes under public scrutiny even to this day. This time through a  two-part, four-hour long documentary that revolves around the testimony of two young adults Wade Robson and James Safechuck who have confessed that they were sexually abused as young boys by Jackson. The documentary ‘Leaving Neverland’ premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January.

This new revelation about Jackson came as a shock to many, especially Jackson’s fans who’ve grown up hearing his music. The same fans who literally worshipped the ‘King of Pop’ and whose persona greatly influenced their lives. The icon was a philanthropist and his videos with children in videos like ‘Heal the world’ touched people worldwide.  

According to Robson and Safechuck, the abuse occurred at a time when they were very young. Robson and his family moved to Australia to work with Jackson. He even starred in music videos like ‘Black or White’ and ‘Jam.’ Safechuck met Jackson while shooting for a Pepsi commercial. The increased meetings led to sleepovers at the Neverland Ranch.

They didn’t even know that they were being abused. To them, Michael was a superhero and hence whatever he did was justified. Besides, his stardom and fame became barriers to tell the truth. They appeared in Oprah Winfrey’s show during which they gave a complete account of how they were abused.

The boys decided to bring up this story when they had sons of their own. They decided that the truth needs to unfold as it might help others who are suffering silently like them. Many viewers began believing the story after it was aired on HBO. It’s said that neither Wade Robson nor James Safechuck was paid to be in the documentary.

Paris Jackson and others stand up for MJ

Michael Jackson’s daughter has remained silent on the issue so far. She always opposed all the allegations that were held against him. In an interview in 2017 to Rollingstone, Paris Jackson revealed that Jackson “would cry to her all night. She also explained that if they knew her father the way she and her siblings Prince,22 and Blanket,17, did, they would know that he was innocent.

When a report in ‘The Wrap’ claimed that child pornography was found at ‘Neverland Ranch’, she dismissed the allegations by saying, “Unfortunately negativity will always sell. I urge you all to ignore the trash & the parasites who make a career trying to slander my father,” Jackson tweeted at the time. “The most pure people are always torn down … It will continue to be proven that my beloved dad has always been and forever will be innocent.” She hasn’t made any statements yet in terms of how these new allegations are affecting her work life.

A close friend of Michael Jackson- Mark Lester said that he saw the documentary. He was quite saddened to see it. He said that the documentary was repetitive and the Michael Jackson portrayed by these boys was not the Michael Jackson he and his children knew. To him, Michael Jackson was a polite and a kind person. Mark doesn’t know whether he was lonely though. Mark Lester said that he has seen the documentary with a very open mind and nothing about it will change his perception about Michael Jackson.

Diehard fans of MJ criticized the boys as these were the same people who defended Michael Jackson during his trials when he was alive. Others question why they and their families continued to remain friends with MJ despite the abuse. They also questioned the timing of the revelation.

‘Leaving Neverland’ that revolves around a sensitive subject such as child abuse has left fans, family and the people whom MJ knew so closely, saddened, puzzled and with numerous unanswered questions. There are people who believe Wade Robson and James Safechuck’s revelations after watching their facial expressions in the documentary while there are others like Mark Lester who will not buy the story no matter what. MJ fans believe that it is wrong to accuse an individual especially if they are not alive to defend themselves. The pop icon not only amazed fans when he was alive, but he also continues to remain shrouded in mystery even in death.