Who is the man in the mirror? If you are not prepared to read about the King of Pop in a negative light then do not read this!
In recent news, there have been sexual allegations regarding singer, dancer and innovator Michael Jackson, or as the world knows him, the King of Pop. This came to light in the recent interview with Oprah, titled “After Neverland,” and the HBO documentary “Leaving Neverland.”
Jackson first rose to fame in the 1970s, and later died in 2009 at the age of 50. He came to fame alongside his family band of brothers called “The Jackson 5,” and began singing with them at 13. After his debut, young Michael began singing solo, and this launched his career into unimaginable heights.
At the peak of his career, in the early 90s, Michael was faced with sexual abuse allegations. As he moved forward, the allegations of abuse continued, as well as his rising stardom as the King of Pop.
Michael Jackson’s first allegation of abuse started in 1993 with an adolescent boy. Police seized evidence from his estate and found no evidence of foul play. Although there was no evidence in opposition of Jackson, witnesses claimed that these allegations were false.
Another statement came from CNN, regarding 10-year-old Wade Robson. He told the media outlet about Jackson and his “slumber parties” that occurred in Jackson’s bedroom.
Robson also said in the same interview, “we were just having a lot of fun.” This does not necessarily indicate that Michael was guilty, but rather shows the audience what kind of person Jackson was.
Jackson responded: “I am not guilty of these allegations. But if anything I am guilty of, it is of giving all that I give to help children all over the world.” In addition, Jackson settles the case with $23 million, $5 million going to the family’s legal fees.
In Feb. of 2003, Jackson was accused of seven counts of child molesting, kidnapping and serving alcohol to a minor. If he was found guilty, he could have faced up to 20-years in prison.
Furthermore, a British journalist released another documentary following the life of Jackson, titled “Living with Michael Jackson.” In this film, the King of Pop described sharing a bedroom with a young cancer survivor as anything but out of the ordinary.
In addition, the New York Times writes that Jackson’s lawyer was persistent in the fact that this was inspired by a “family seeking money and a vindictive prosecutor.”
According to the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN), “child sexual abuse is a form of child abuse that includes sexual activity with a minor. A child cannot consent to any form of sexual activity.”
Six years ago, Robson sued the Jackson estate, arguing that he had molested him for seven years, starting when he was seven-years-old. You might be wondering why did he take all this time to come forward?
Robson argued that Jackson would call him to role play, thus convincing him that if they were ever caught together, “both of us would go to jail for the rest of our lives.”
This question still remains, who is Michael Jackson and what was his connection with kids?
Although there are tremendous amounts of child abuse testimony, the world will never really know what happened with Jackson and his accusers due to him being deceased.
(This article is intended to inform audiences rather than favor one side over another. Jackson cannot defend himself, but this situation is worth researching and worth finding out who he really was.)
Gabrielle Turner
Social Media Coordinator