Jackson returns to spotlight but to accusers, he’s still bad
At the end of the hit Broadway musical based on the life of Michael Jackson, the King of Pop hurtles up through the floorboards.
The sudden reappearance of Jackson on stage in MJ: the Musical recalls the "toaster" entrance the singer made during the Dangerous world tour three decades ago. It also serves as a metaphor for the remarkable comeback his estate has orchestrated since his death of an overdose aged 50 in 2009.
At the time, Jackson's star had waned following years of damaging allegations that he was a child molester - vehemently denied and never proven in court - while the extraordinary details of his private life threatened to swamp his career achievements.
Yet today Jackson is arguably as popular as at any point in the past 30 years.
MJ has arrived in London, garlanded with Tony awards. A US tour is under way and German and Australian dates have been scheduled.
Music sales data suggests Jackson's appeal is growing again as the streaming industry expands around the world.
But there is controversy brewing around the Hollywood biopic Michael, due for release in April next year and subject to the approval of the singer's estate.
While the musical carefully avoids having to mention the allegations that Jackson abused young boys, the film is expected to tackle them head-on.
It will reportedly portray the Peter Pan of pop as a victim preyed upon by opportunists seeking a slice of his fortune.
Dan Reed, the British film-maker who made the 2019 documentary Leaving Neverland, which featured claims from two men that Jackson abused them as children, condemned what he described as a "complete whitewash".
"You have some of the really top minds and top talent in Hollywood working on this, and I don't know how they are not ashamed. In one scene Jackson tucks kids into their sleeping bags - how do they not throw up when they do these scenes?"