Oprah Winfrey to have blunt interview with men who say Michael Jackson molested them
The two men who maintain that Michael Jackson sexually abused them when they were children will speak after the showing of the documentary based on their accusations
The two men at the center of the HBO documentary Leaving Neverland remain steadfast that pop music icon Michael Jackson sexually abused them as children. Now, Oprah Winfrey will interview them, dealing directly with their allegations.
Winfrey will interview Wade Robson and James Safechuck for a special that will air on HBO and OWN — the Oprah Winfrey Network — immediately after the final installment on Monday of HBO’s two-part presentation of the documentary, Deadline Hollywood reports. Oprah’s interview was taped in front of an audience that includes survivors of sexual abuse, according to the website.
READ MORE: Michael Jackson’s former maid says allegations of sexual abuse are true
In Leaving Neverland, Safechuck and Robson say they were befriended by Jackson when they were 10 and 7 respectively. Both men, now 40 and 36, along with their family members, detail how they were drawn into Jackson’s world and how the two boys experienced sustained abuse.
The Jackson family has condemned the documentary as untruthful and has said that when Jackson shared his bed with children, it was innocent.
READ MORE: Michael Jackson’s brothers slam ‘Leaving Neverland’ documentary ‘It’s all about money’
“I know my brother,” Jackie Jackson told CBS News. “He’s not like that.”
Jackson’s nephew, Taj, told Gayle King that he suggested to his uncle that while he knew his intentions were innocent, others might not see it that way.
“I grew up in it so for me it wasn’t odd,” Taj Jackson said. “I mean, I’m not oblivious to what it sounds like but when you’re actually there in that atmosphere and you’re around it and you’re watching movies … it’s like, it’s very innocent.”
The documentary debuted at the Sundance Film Festival last month.
Oprah’s interview also will be made available on her “Oprah SuperSoul Conversations” podcast, according to Variety.
Jackson died in 2009 at age 50 from an overdose of powerful anesthesia drugs.
READ MORE: Michael Jackson estate SLAMS ‘Leaving Neverland’ documentary that alleges MJ was a sexual predator
