Wade Robson and James Safechuck, the two men who accused Michael Jackson of sexual abuse, are once again in the spotlight with the release of Leaving Neverland 2: Surviving Michael Jackson. This hour-long documentary, directed by Dan Reed, is a follow-up to their original allegations, which were first detailed in the 2019 HBO film Leaving Neverland. The new film delves deeper into the backlash Robson and Safechuck have faced, including the threats and criticism they’ve received for speaking out, as well as their ongoing legal battle with Jackson’s estate.
In the documentary, Robson and Safechuck open up about the emotional toll of coming forward with their stories. Robson describes the fear he felt, saying, “It’s fricking terrifying,” and mentions the vicious reactions from some of Jackson’s fans and the media. Safechuck adds, “The scope of what happened was like the thing I was most afraid of.”
In Leaving Neverland 2, Robson and Safechuck continue to assert that Jackson sexually abused them as children. Safechuck recalls a chilling moment when Jackson allegedly told him, “Your life would be over if people knew.” He also recounts waking up to find Jackson had performed oral sex on him.
Jackson’s estate has consistently denied all accusations, and in a statement from April 2023, attorney Jonathan Steinsapir reiterated the estate’s confidence in Jackson’s innocence. He emphasized that the allegations were unsupported by credible evidence and independent corroboration, expressing confidence that the truth would ultimately prevail, leading to Jackson’s exoneration.
Interestingly, both Robson and Safechuck previously testified in Jackson’s defense. Robson denied any abuse during the 2005 trial, while Safechuck testified in Jackson’s favor during the 1993 case. However, both men now claim they were groomed by Jackson to stay silent about the abuse, with Robson admitting he had been genuinely afraid. He recalls Jackson warning that if their secret was exposed, both of them would go to jail.
The documentary also includes footage from the 2019 interview with Oprah Winfrey, where Robson and Safechuck spoke about their traumatic experiences. Winfrey, a survivor of abuse herself, offered them support despite the intense backlash they faced.
Jackson’s family and fans, however, continue to defend the late singer. In a 2019 interview with Gayle King, Jackson’s brothers and nephew Taj argued that the accusations were motivated by financial gain. A supporter of Jackson featured in the new film also suggests that the controversy is driven by greed and money.
