Leaving Neverland

A controversial new documentary called 'Leaving Neverland' is making headlines around the world. It is a four hour long documentary directed by British filmmaker, Dan Reed, which focuses on two men who claim they were abused by music superstar Michael Jackson when they were children. It premiered at the Sundance film festival which was held from January 24th to February 3rd in Park City, Utah.

I have been following all the news on Leaving Neverland. I have read a lot of articles, seen social media posts and watched interviews and videos about it and in this post, I am going to share my thoughts on this documentary, the people involved in the making of it and more. The views and opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own.

Who are these two men accusing the king of pop of such a horrific crime? Their names are Wade Robson and James Safechuck. Wade Robson is an Australian dancer and choreographer who first met Michael Jackson when he won a dance competition at the age of 5 and appeared in three of his music videos. James Safecuck appeared alongside Michael in a Pepsi commercial in 1986 when he was nine. He is also known as the first boy to tour with Michael. James joined Michael on his Bad tour in 1988. In this documentary, they talk in graphic detail about the sexual abuse they allegedly endured at the hands of MJ.

 

                                            Wade Robson, Dan Reed and James Safechuck

Photo: Rolling Stone

This has everyone discussing abuse a lot more and talking about a case which had seemingly been forgotten. The media, celebrities, fans and many others have taken sides and expressed their opinions on this topic and now I'm going to express mine. In my opinion, Wade and James are lying and Michael Jackson is innocent. Some of you may be thinking that I'm a fan of MJ so of course I say he's innocent but no, I really believe it. Something about their stories seems shady to me. I admit, I had never heard of James Safechuck until Leaving Neverland but I did know who Wade was from watching videos of his performances YouTube. I think they are attempting to make money off Michael and because he's not here to defend himself, they believe they can get away with it.

Now I will tell you why I don't believe the allegations and my thoughts on all the interviews and talk surrounding all this.

In 2013, Wade was interviewed by Matt Lauer on the Today Show about his allegations of abuse by Michael Jackson. I watched it and did a little analysis of Wade. I'm not a body language expert or anything but here are three points of the interview I want to talk about. You would have to watch the interview to understand what I'm saying here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayMOt6zypT4

The first question Matt asks Wade is "What's your mindset right now?" He looks away and repeats, "what's my mindset?" By doing that, I think he is hesitant and trying to give himself time to think about what to say.
"I feel strong, I feel like this is the right thing to do. This is my truth." To me, MY truth isn't the same as THE truth. When he says, "This is my truth", it's like he's going to say what's true to him.
Look at the way Wade is sitting. He's kind of slouched and to the side. If he was confident with what he was saying or doing, he would be sitting up straight.

When Michael was first accused of sexual abuse and molestation by Jordan Chandler in 1993, the police interviewed both Wade and James and they both said they had never been abused. When he was again accused by another boy, Gavin Arvizo, in 2005, Wade appeared in court as a witness for the defence team. He said Michael never molested him. He was under oath when he said, "I can tell you right now that if he had I wouldn't be right now." Either he was lying then, or he is lying now and I, like many others, believe he is lying now.

Wade is a self-proclaimed "master of deception". That sounds like he's saying he's good at deceiving people and that's not something to be proud of. He says that he started looking at his son and imagining him being a sexually abused. That's so wrong! Why would anyone picture their child that way? Both he and James developed psychological problems as adults and maybe something happened to make them believe that Michael Jackson really did what they say he did? Did they have dreams or hallucinations? After the birth of his son in 2011, Wade had two nervous breakdowns and had to remove himself from a few creative projects he had been committed to. He asked to choreograph Cirque Du Soleil's Michael Jackson show in Las Vegas. He talks about it in great detail on his blog. His career started crumbling after that. He said "From day one of the abuse, Michael told me we loved each other and this was love, this was an expression of love but if I ever tell anyone what we are doing both of our lives and careers would be over" but Wade also said he didn't know what they were doing was a bad thing until six years ago. If someone was doing something with me and told me if I ever told anyone we were doing it our lives would be over, I would know it's wrong and immediately stop it.



Michael Jackson and Wade Robson

Photo: Daily Mail

James Safechuck became a close friend of Michael, especially after touring with him. He was invited on holidays and to the Jacksons Hayvenhurst house and to the Neverland Ranch several times but when James was 12 Michael started losing interest in him and started hanging out with other people. James became jealous and so upset about it he would cry. Could this be the reason, or part of the reason, for James's accusations now? Maybe he held onto his jealousy and anger at Michael's rejection for years. James "believes that he was molested by Michael Jackson more than 100 times over four years." James saying, he "believes" it happened seems like he's not sure. It's the same as Wade saying, "this is my truth."

Michael Jackson and James Safechuck

Photo: MJ and Boys WordPress

I don't know what James's career is like now or what he does for a living. I actually don't know anything about him other than what I've read in the news but maybe his career, like Wade's, crumbled and what happens when you're not doing so well at work or not working at all? You suffer financially so by accusing Michael Jackson of sexual abuse and molestation and suing his estate for what they endured, which they did in 2013, they could have received millions of dollars which would have greatly helped them if they were indeed suffering financially but their cases were dismissed by the court and they did not receive the money they asked for.

Both men said that Michael told each of them he was in love with them but that can't be true because he set Wade up with his niece Brandi Jackson and they dated for seven years. If Michael was in love with Wade, he would not have set him up with Brandi or anyone else.

Let's move on the Leaving Neverland documentary.

In an interview with Rolling Stone, Dan reed admitted that he interviewed only a handful of people for the documentary. Those people are Wade, James and members of their families. No one else who knew or was close to both the men and Michael was included in it so it is very one sided and there is no real discussion or view points from other sources like friends or fellow dancers who may defend them. It is just Wade and James telling their stories and their families who of course would support them no matter what. I think to make a documentary, you have to do more than just have one or two people in a room and point a camera at them while they talk. You have to do a lot of research and speak to a few people from other places, not just family of the main subjects.

https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-features/leaving-neverland-director-dan-reed-michael-jackson-interview-785817/

James, Wade and Dan held a question and answer session at the premiere screening. I watched a video of it on YouTube and I think they look very nervous, especially Wade. It may be the lighting or temperature in the room, but it looks like he was sweating and he fidgeted a lot. Every time he answered a question, he held his ear which some people have said is a sign he's not telling the truth. When the interviewer asks, "Have your families seen any part of the project and what is your relationship with them like now as a result of this, after they found out your truths?" James and Wade look at each other, smile and laugh a little. A strange reaction to a serious question! Their allegations are serious and have affected a lot of people, not just them and finding out they were abused as children would have been a huge shock for their parents, siblings and other family members. It must have hurt and angered them so why laugh at that? Nothing about this is funny.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVQUCWJlJ_w&t=495s

Thousands of people asked Sundance not to show the film, but they did and had to have a lot of security there because of protestors. All the time money, and effort that went into organising security could have been avoided. I'm sure there were many amazing films shown at the festival which deserved more attention and praise, but they were overshadowed by this controversial film. Michael's nephew Taj recently spoke to Sunrise and said the family didn't know that Leaving Neverland was being produced. It was sprung on them which is so wrong, and I think it's crazy that they are not allowed to watch Leaving Neverland until it airs on television. That must be because the people involved know that they will find everything wrong with it and expose the lies. Michael and his family have done a lot for Wade and James. Michael helped them so much when their careers were starting and when Wade really wanted to go to Michael's memorial in 2009, Taj was the one who invited him. I think it's safe to say that Wade wouldn't have been as successful as he has been without Michael. Through all of this, the feelings of the Jackson family have not been considered. They should at least be shown a preview of the documentary before it's on television.

The two men have a lot of people on their side. Even American television personality Gayle King has seen the documentary and said she supports them. In an Instagram post, she said, "Just watched all four hours of Leaving Neverland.. powerful, compelling and a game changer for those who have been afraid to speak up of child sex abuse. My heart goes out to Wade Robson and James Safechuck. Thank you for sharing your pain it will make a difference. Bravo to producer Dan Reed. I'm still reeling." To Gayle and all their supporters, your hearts should go out to Michael who had to endure his home being raided, the trials, and people treating him badly when all he wanted to do was perform, help children and make everyone happy, to his family who had to watch their son, brother, uncle and father go through all that and his fans. Spare a thought for them! There are a lot of big personalities who believe Wade and James. One is Oprah, I can't believe that! Michael Opened up to her when she interviewed him at Neverland in 1993 and talked about thinks he hadn't previously made public. She was invited to the Hayvenhurst house in 2010 to talk to Joe and Katherine Jackson, Michael's three children and their cousins and to Katherine's new house in 2012 to talk to Paris. They all trusted her and now she is against them. It is so sad. 

James Safechuck and Wade Robson were long-time defenders of Michael and then dramatically changed their tune years later. Their stories have changed over the years, none of it is credible.
If they are not doing this for money, they are doing it for fame or to make their careers better. Whatever the reason it is, I hope the truth will come out. The men have received a lot of backlash which was to be expected but Wade wrote about receiving death threats on his blog and I personally don't think that's right. I think what they are doing is wrong but I would never wish them any harm. With all the controversy and protests, I don't want anyone to die. I just wish they would stop with the lies and accusations and move on with their lives. I'm sure there must be people out there who feel the same way.

Michael Jackson was found not guilty on all charges so why can't people let it go and believe he is innocent? He has been gone for 10 years now, let him rest in peace.

Jermaine Jackson holding up a newspaper

reporting on his brother Michael's not guilty verdict.

Photo: jermainejackson5.com

Michael Jackson

Photo: Pinterest

To James and Wade, please let this go and move on with your lives. To the Jackson family, I'm sorry that you all are going through all this again and no one seems to care about you, but you have millions of fans all over the world who support and want to help you if they can. I hope you will once again succeed in proving your beloved Michael's innocence and justice will be served. To Michael, I'm sorry for all the bad things you had to endure in your life. I wish these allegations were never made in the first place and that these new ones will stop. Nobody's perfect but most people know you didn't do any of the things you're accused of. Everyone should know who you really were, the greatest entertainer of all time and a kind, loving person who did a lot to help heal the world.

I didn't think I would watch Leaving Neverland but I did and it has not changed my opinion at all. I still say Michael Jackson is innocent.

Before I end this post, I want to once again say that everything I have said here are just my own thoughts and opinions from what I have read and watched.