Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Madonna says Michael Jackson is 'innocent until proven guilty'

The pair went to the 1991 Oscars together

Jack Shepherd
Tuesday 07 May 2019 14:37 BST
Comments
Michael Jackson's accusers Wade Robson and James Safechuck detail abuse

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Madonna has spoken about the Michael Jackson sex abuse allegations, saying ”people are innocent until proven guilty”.

Earlier this year, two men, James Safechuck and Wade Robson, claimed Jackson molested them as children in the documentary Leaving Neverland.

The Jackson estate called the documentary a “public lynching” and are suing HBO – who co-produced the film with Channel 4 – for $100 million.

Madonna, who took Jackson as her date to the 1991 Oscars, told British Vogue that she has not watched the documentary.

“I don’t have a lynch-mob mentality, so in my mind, people are innocent until proven guilty,” she contined.

“I’ve had a thousand accusations hurled at me that are not true. So my attitude when people tell me things about people is, ‘Can you prove it?”’

Asked what would constitute proof of Jackson’s guilt, she replied: “I don’t know, I haven’t seen the film.

“But I guess it would be people recounting actual events – but then, of course, people sometimes lie.

“So I always say, ‘What’s the agenda? What do people want out of this? Are there people asking for money, is there some kind of extortion thing happening?’

Amazon Music logo

Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music

Sign up now for a 4 month free trial (3 months for non-Prime members)

Sign up
Amazon Music logo

Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music

Sign up now for a 4 month free trial (3 months for non-Prime members)

Sign up

“I would take all of those things into consideration.”

She said of the HBO and Channel 4 documentary: “I guess I’ll get around to seeing it. I haven’t seen it yet.”

Jackson’s brothers Tito, Marlon and Jackie, and his nephew Taj, have dismissed the allegations against the late singer.

Jackson, who died in 2009 aged 50, has been labelled a “master manipulator” who “groomed the world”.

In March, singer Barbra Streisand was criticised for saying the men who claim Jackson abused them were “thrilled to be there”.

She later posted an apology online, saying “I am profoundly sorry for any pain or misunderstanding I caused by not choosing my words more carefully about Michael Jackson and his victims.”

Additional reporting by agencies.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in