Entertainment

24th Mar 2019

Barbra Streisand apologises for remarks about Michael Jackson’s accusers

Barbra Streisand has apologised after she was criticised for sympathising with Michael Jackson over child abuse accusations against him.

Alan Loughnane

Barbra Streisand apologises for remarks about Michael Jackson’s accusers

Her comments caused outrage on Saturday

Barbra Streisand has apologised after she was criticised for sympathising with Michael Jackson over child abuse accusations against him.

Streisand had been strongly criticised for her comments about two men who accused Jackson of sexual abuse in the HBO documentary Leaving Neverland.

Speaking to the Times, the Oscar-winning actress and singer said she “absolutely” believed Wade Robson and James Safechuck. But she also said: “You can say ‘molested’, but those children, as you heard say, they were thrilled to be [at Jackson’s Neverland ranch]. They both married and they both have children, so it didn’t kill them.”

She said she felt sympathy for Jackson, referring to him as “sweet and child-like”. She also stated that while she felt bad for the children, she also felt bad for Jackson and blamed the children’s parents.

“I blame, I guess, the parents, who would allow their children to sleep with him,” she said. “Why would Michael need these little children dressed like him and in the shoes and the dancing and the hats?”

Her comments received widespread criticism with director of Leaving Neverland, Dan Reed, saying on Twitter: “His sexual needs were his sexual needs” – is pedophilia tolerated in parts of the entertainment industry?”

Streisand has since posted an apology online.

“I am profoundly sorry for any pain or misunderstanding I caused by not choosing my words more carefully about Michael Jackson and his victims,” she wrote.

“I didn’t mean to dismiss the trauma these boys experienced in any way. Like all survivors of sexual assault, they will have to carry this for the rest of their lives. I feel deep remorse and I hope that James and Wade know that I truly respect and admire them for speaking their truth.”

Topics:

Barbara Streisand,Leaving Neverland,Michael Jackson,Music,World News

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