Leaving Neverland director Dan Reed has spoken out about the emotional wellbeing of late superstar Michael Jackson’s three children, Paris, 20, Prince, 22 and Blanket, 17, in the wake of his shocking film – which documents the singer’s alleged sexual abuse of two former child companions, Wade Robson and James Safechuck.
WATCH PART ONE OF THE INTERVIEW BELOW:
Speaking to Larry Emdur and Kylie Gillies on The Morning Show today, Reed was asked if he was concerned about the impact on the three Jackson kids, and if he considered how they might be affected by the accusations contained in his film.
The matter of Jackson’s children’s wellbeing has recently been in the headlines, with reports that Paris has been struggling with emotional fallout of the claims, and allegedly recently attempted suicide – something she denies.
‘Of course, I was worried about them,’ Reed told TMS. ‘The politics of the Jackson clan is very complicated. There’s this supposed suicide attempt by Paris Jackson that she’s immediately denied.
‘That’s very puzzling and I don’t know what’s going on there.’
While he was conscious of the possible reaction to his documentary by the children, Reed says he was guided by the facts of the case, and not emotional considerations.
‘Jackson’s children had nothing to do with the sexual abuse, and of course they’re upset that their father is being accused of all this stuff, but these allegations have been around for decades now, and they won’t come as any surprise to the kids,’ he says.
‘I feel for them, I wish them the very best, but the truth must come out. It’s a very important story, and Wade and James for instance feel a real, deep need to tell the truth about what happened, both for their own healing, and also to help other people who might be looking for a way to break their silence.’
WATCH PART TWO OF THE INTERVIEW BELOW:
Jackson’ s family continue to deny the claims made in the film, and are initiating legal action against broadcaster HBO over alleged contractual breaches. (A TV concert deal signed between Jackson and the broadcaster back in the eighties included a ‘non-disparagement’ clause.)
Despite it all, Reed says Wade and James are doing very well after years of internal turmoil, and have no regrets about coming out with their allegations. The two men were greeted with a round of applause from audiences when the film was recently screened at the Sundance Film Festival.
As for the legions of fans who still refuse to accept the version of events laid out in the film, Reed has one message: wake up.
‘I did a massive amount of research – there’s no doubt at all Jackson was lying for a long time,’ he said, before adding a new spin to the slogan devoted fans have adopted in an attempt to discredit the film: ‘Facts don’t lie, but paedophiles do.’
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