Michael Jackson Documentary Premieres To Outraged Reactions

Last night, HBO premiered the new Michael Jackson documentary, Leaving Neverland, which highlighted the stories of Wade Robson and James Safechuck — both of whom claim they were molested by the singer many times as young children.

The Jackson estate has since sued HBO and slammed the documentary, calling it “another rehash of dated and discredited allegations.” But reactions on social media were heavy, ranging from disgust to disbelief, with many viewers expressing support for Wade and James.

Leaving Neverland first premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January. The first half of the four-hour doc premiered on Sunday and the second half will premiere tonight, followed by an interview with Oprah and the two accusers.

James met Jackson when he was cast in the singer’s 1986 Pepsi commercial, and in the film said the pop star took him and his family on tour where their relationship allegedly turned sexual when Michael taught James how to masturbate.

“He set it up like I’m going to show you something that everybody does and you’ll enjoy it,” he said. “It felt like you were bonding, in a way. The tour was the start of this sexual, like, couple relationship.”

As for Wade, he met Michael when he was 5 years old after winning a shopping mall dancing competition in his native Australia. By 1990, when he was 7 years old, the family came into contact with the singer again during a vacation in Los Angeles.

Wade alleged Michael convinced his mother to let him stay over alone with the singer while the rest of his family went on a trip to the Grand Canyon. That’s when Wade alleged Michael performed oral sex on him and kissed him while his family was away, saying, “You and I were brought together by God. We were meant to be together. This is how we show love.”