Leaving Neverland airs on Channel 4 this week and details the alleged sexual abuse of minors.
HBO has aired the first part of its documentary series detailing Michael Jackson’s alleged sexual abuse of minors.
The documentary is set to air this week on Channel 4.
Much like the recent series about R. Kelly, Leaving Neverland examines the long-standing allegations that Jackson had sexually abused children.
The documentary focuses on two men, Wade Robson and Jimmy Safechuck, who allege they were sexually abused by the pop star when they were children.
During the first part of the documentary, Robson and Safechuck described their relationship with Michael Jackson in detail.
Here are some of the main takeaways:
After winning a a dance competition at the age of five, Robson was asked to dance with Jackson on stage during his Bad tour. The singer met Safechuck on the set of a Pepsi commercial when he was nine years old. He also participated in Jackson’s tour.
Both men state that the singer would spend hours talking to them on the phone and that these conversations would eventually turn into visits.
As these relationships developed, Jackson also wanted to spend more time alone with them.
At the start of their relationship, the singer allowed parents and siblings to travel with their children on tour, but he’d allegedly distance the family members further from the kids.
For example, it’s alleged that Jackson would originally book the parents’ hotel rooms to be close to his own room. Over time, he’d start putting the parents on an entirely different floor.
Robson and Safechuck also discussed the ways that Jackson tried to hide his alleged abuse.
They alleged that a system of bells was created in the corridors of his mansion so Jackson would know when someone who might catch him with the boys was approaching.
Both men also allege that the singer would make them run drills where they had to practice getting quickly dressed, just in case someone would walk into the room.
Both men also alleged that the singer told them that they would all would go to jail if they were caught in his bed.
Robson also states that the alleged sexual abuse took a heavy toll on his father’s mental health and that it created serious problems for his family.
In a statement, Jackson’s estate has criticised the documentary.
“This is yet another lurid production in an outrageous and pathetic attempt to exploit and cash in on Michael Jackson. This so called ‘documentary’ is just another rehash of dated and discredited allegations.Michael is not here to defend himself, otherwise these allegations would not have been made. The creators of this film were not interested in the truth,” the statement said.
Jackson’s estate has also filed a lawsuit against the filmmakers.
Leaving Neverland airs in two 90-minute episodes over two consecutive nights on Channel 4 at 9pm on 6 March and 7 March.
Clip via Channel 4
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ with Aideen McQueen – Faith healers, Coolock craic and Gigging as Gaeilge
