Michael Jackson's defenders Barbra Streisand, Diana Ross slammed by Leaving Neverland director Dan Reed
Michael Jackson's legacy was thrown into question after the release of 'Leaving Neverland'. Dan Reed, the director of the HBO's documentary, has now slammed all the celebrities who have defended the singer despite the sexual abuse allegations made against him.
Amongst the celebs who opened up about the controversial documentary, pop icon Diana Ross was one who supported the 'Thriller' singer Michael Jackson. Actress Barbra Streisand also claimed that the accusers were "thrilled to be there" before apologizing for her comments. Macaulay Culkin also seemed to have shrugged and laughed off the sexual abuse allegations made against Jackson.
Dan Reed believes that this type of support says a lot about the attitudes within the entertainment industry. As reported by The Sun, Reed spoke to Sunrise on Thursday and shared, "People like Barbra Streisand are coming out and saying that it was not such a bad thing and that it didn't kill them — that's horrific. It does tell you about attitudes in the industry — particularly among the older generation."
"Stars having their way with fans was something that was accepted and it was all brushed under the carpet because money was being made," he continued. He also spoke about how fearful people were of the lawyers of Jackson's estate who have reportedly handed HBO with a $100 million lawsuit for violating a contract which was signed with Michael in 1992. "I interviewed a lot of the police investigators and spoke to other people and the level of fear was quite high," Reed added.
"People are afraid of the power of his lawyers and his wealth. He was known to be extremely aggressive to anyone who crossed his path," he shared.
Reed's interview follows the report on a rabbi and former friend of Michael Jackson, Shmuley Boteach, who believes that the singer's accusers — Australian Wade Robson and American James Safechuck — are indeed telling the truth. Boteach shared, "I don't believe these men are lying, and I don't believe that the shame and guilt being experienced by their parents in general, maybe their mothers, in particular, is feigned."
"There will have to now be a fundamental reassessment of the legacy of Michael Jackson, in light of this documentary. You cannot share a bed with someone else's child. That is immoral, that is unacceptable. It's deplorable. I could not believe that he had done that, and that he had said it, and that he didn't understand that there was something wrong," Boteach added referring to a clip in 'Leaving Neverland' in which Jackson justifies sharing a bed with young children.
