Jackson gave young boy jewellery – and even a ‘wedding ring’ – for sex
Audience in tears over new documentary’s explosive claims
TWO men have revealed the horrific catalogue of sexual abuse they suffered at the hands of Michael Jackson in a disturbing documentary that threatens to destroy the pop superstar’s legacy.
American James Safechuck, now 40, and Australian Wade Robson, now 36, were both befriended by Jackson as innocent boys.
Among their claims are that the star rigged up bells at his Neverland ranch to warn if anyone was approaching as he abused them. They also say they were drilled to get dressed quickly – and one even went through a mock ‘wedding ceremony’ with the star.
The abuse often happened as the boys’ mothers slept in the room next door.
The documentary, Leaving Neverland, by director Dan Reed, had its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah on Friday. Counsellors were on hand for those distressed by the film’s ‘explicit descriptions’ of abuse.
The documentary is due to be shown on Channel 4 next month.
Some audience members wept and others walked out during the four-hour screening.
The men claim in the film that the abuse happened in hotels, in an apartment Jackson called ‘the hideaway’, and at his ranch.
Jackson – who is alleged to have molested the boys at separate times – would tell the pair the abuse must stay secret and was ‘a
‘This is how we show our love’
way of expressing your love’. Robson said Jackson warned him if anyone ever found out they would go to jail.
Safechuck said he was aged 10 when he was first abused by Jackson in a Paris hotel. He had been invited to join him on tour and would dance with Jackson on stage in a matching outfit. He claimed the star told him he was his first sexual partner and the abuse escalated to the point that they had sex every time they were together. He described the places Jackson would allegedly molest him at Neverland, including a locked box room in its cinema. He said Jackson lined a series of doors before his room with bells that would warn them if someone was approaching.
Safechuck also revealed a diamond-encrusted gold band he described as his ‘wedding ring’ from a ‘mock wedding ceremony’ in Jackson’s bedroom. He said the star would often buy him jewellery in return for sex.
Robson was seven when Jackson first invited him to Neverland. He said while there he was abused, with Jackson telling him ‘this is how we show our love’. He said Jackson also tried to rape him when he was 14.
Both men said they had not spoken out earlier about Jackson because they had suffered from depression and panic attacks
Jackson died in 2009. The film has been condemned by his estate as ‘an outrageous and pathetic attempt to exploit and cash in’ on the star.