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Barbra Streisand responds to backlash over comments on Michael Jackson abuse allegations


The controversial comments came in a new interview with The Times

Barbra Streisand has caused controversy after responding to the recent abuse allegations made against Michael Jackson in HBO’s Leaving Neverland documentary.

In a new interview with The Times, Streisand began by saying she believed the accusers in the documentary – Wade Robson and James Safechuck – before adding that she thought they were “thrilled” to be there and that Jackson’s “sexual needs were his sexual needs.”

The documentary, which aired in the UK earlier this month, focussed on allegations from Robson and Safechuck who claimed that Jackson abused them over a number of years. The Jackson estate have denied any wrongdoing.

When asked about the allegations, Streisand said she “absolutely” believed Robson and Safechuck adding, “that was too painful.”

She continued: “[Jackson’s] sexual needs were his sexual needs, coming from whatever childhood he has or whatever DNA he has…You can say ‘molested’, but those children, as you heard them say, they were thrilled to be there. They both married and they both have children, so it didn’t kill them.”

Michael Jackson and Wade Robson.

Asked if she was angry by Jackson’s alleged actions, Streisand said: “It’s a combination of feelings. I feel bad for the children. I feel bad for him. I blame, I guess, the parents, who would allow their children to sleep with him.

“Why would Michael need these little children dressed like him and in the shows and dancing and the hats?”

The comments received a backlash on social media from many, including the director of the documentary, Dan Reed. On Twitter, Reed wrote: “‘It didn’t kill them’ @BarbaraStreisand did you really say that?!”

You can see some of the reaction to Streisand’s comments below:

Speaking about the documentary in a recent interview with NME, the director of Leaving Neverland alleged the musician  may have “sexually exploited a good many more” victims, saying that he thought Jackson used fame and “garish tabloid myths” to his advantage in order to conceal the truth.

Reed said: “Michael Jackson had unlimited power and unlimited wealth. Children looked up to him. And he exploited that to the hilt. In James’ and Wade’s cases, that sexual abuse lasted several years. I believe he sexually exploited a good many more little boys in his paedophile career.

“I think [more] will [come out], eventually, yeah. As the Michael Jackson fans say: ‘lies run sprints, but the truth runs marathons’. And that’s exactly what’s happening here. Sooner or later, it will come out.” 

Meanwhile, Streisand was announced as the latest headliner for the British Summer Time series in Hyde Park earlier this month.

Streisand will headline on Sunday July 7, alongside a supporting bill of special guests that will be announced in the coming months.





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