Leaving Neverland documentary: Celebrities who have reacted

Most stars who have seen the confronting Leaving Neverland doco have sided with Michael Jackson’s accusers, but not all of them.

The most controversial documentary of 2019 has divided opinion about one of the world’s most famous entertainers.

Some celebrities are wildly defending Michael Jackson in the wake of the Leaving Neverland documentary saying it is just a “money grab for the families”.

Part one of Leaving Neverland airs tonight on Network Ten with part two set to air tomorrow at 8.30pm.

The documentary features lengthy interviews with Wade Robson and James Safechuck who describe in detail the sexual abuse they allegedly suffered at the hands of Michael Jackson.

Leaving Neverland has already aired in the US and UK, and a number of celebrities have commented publicly about the shocking allegations.

Whereas the majority of stars who’ve commented have sided with the two accusers, a handful have dismissed Robson and Safechuck’s claims as “lies”.

Wade Robson, director Dan Reed and James Safechuck from Leaving Neverland.

FORMER CHILD STAR COREY FELDMAN

The Goonies star, who was good friends with Michael Jackson when he was younger, defended the King of Pop in a lengthy Twitter rant.

“All I know is what I experienced & yes every experience was the same … right up 2 the sex part!” Feldman tweeted. “That is where it becomes lala land, instead of Neverland 4 me.

“We never spoke about sex other than a few warnings about how sex was scary & dangerous.

“MJ never once swore in my presence, never touched me inappropriately & never ever suggested we should be lovers in any way!” he wrote.

“Most pedos r serial offenders. they don’t have self control. So given the opportunity which he certainly had w me & others, being alone, w no parents around, how did he control those urges so well, while so blatantly sexual w those 2 boys? (sic).

“It doesn't really fit the profile.”

Corey Feldman attends the third annual Kodak Awards on February 15, 2019.

FILMMAKER JUDD APATOW

The Trainwreck director took issue with Feldman’s comments and said his argument about why Jackson was innocent didn’t make sense.

“The Corey Feldman defence that MJ must not have done it because he didn’t do it to me doesn’t quite work,” Apatow tweeted.

“That’s like saying Ted Bundy wasn’t a murderer because I met him at a bar and he didn’t murder me.”

TALK SHOW HOST WENDY WILLIAMS

The TV personality defended Jackson as she discussed Leaving Neverland on her US talk show.

“I don’t believe a word of anything in this documentary,” she said. “Michael’s no innocent, but that’s not him.”

Williams said she believed the innocent parts of Robson and Safechuck’s claims but refused to accept Jackson was a paedophile.

“I do believe there was a shower in the nude,” she said. “I don’t believe there was any sexual touching. I do believe sleepovers in the same bed. I do believe that if mother nature takes its course and, you know, you get a hard penis. I don’t believe touching, and I don’t believe sex.”

Williams said the documentary was “lies” and claimed “this is a money grab for the families”.

Wendy Williams defended MJ.

Michael Jackson leaves court in 2005.

DOCUMENTARY MAKER LOUIS THEROUX

The British TV personality sided with Robson and Safechuck and said just because the singer was acquitted on all charges when he went to court didn’t mean he wasn’t a paedophile.

“Jimmy Savile was never found guilty of anything in a court of law, but I think it’s widely accepted — I certainly accept — that he was a serial predator and a sex offender,” Theroux told Lad Bible.

“I believe that Michael Jackson was a paedophile.

“He was never found guilty in a court of law, so someone would come back to me and say, ‘Well he’s innocent until proven guilty’ — to which I would say, ‘Well, look, do some research, and I think you’ll find that the evidence is compelling’.”

Some other celebrities weighed in on Twitter:

who would leave a seven - yes 7 - year old boy with a grown man - makes no sense to me as a mom -

— ROSIE (@Rosie) March 4, 2019

The @HBO doc #leavingneverland is one of the most devastating things I’ve ever watched. To see the lifelong trauma and destruction the abuse by Michael Jackson had on these men is hard to imagine, much less watch. I’m wondering if any of you watched & what your thoughts are. pic.twitter.com/61PPuFHTXP

— Katie Couric (@katiecouric) March 6, 2019

2 parallels to #LeavingNeverland (and reaction to it) and the Trump nightmare: MJ cld shoot someone on 5th Ave and his base wld stay with him; and he's so in the open (sleeping in same bed with boys, in public with them) about his dirty deeds they're not stopped.

— Bill Maher (@billmaher) March 6, 2019

#LeavingNeverland should be required watching for parents to recognize seduction and grooming.@danreed1000 Thank you Wade Robson and James Safechuck for your bravery and dignity. @Oprah interview👏🏼

— Molly Ringwald (@MollyRingwald) March 5, 2019

Dear Wade and James, I believe you and I love you. Keep going #AfterNeverland @StinsonHunter #leavingneverland

— sia (@Sia) March 6, 2019

I’m watching @Oprah interview James Safechuck and Wade Robson from #LeavingNeverland on @OWNTV. I hope everyone watches this. #AfterNeverland

— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) March 5, 2019

Leaving Neverland premieres in Australia on Channel 10 in two parts — tonight at 9pm and Saturday 9.30pm. It is also available to stream from 10am today on Tenplay.