Music

Barbra Streisand: Michael Jackson’s alleged abuse ‘did not kill’ accusers

Actor says Jackson was ‘sweet and childlike’ and his ‘sexual needs were his sexual needs’

File image of Barbra Streisand and Michael Jackson. File photograph: Getty Images File image of Barbra Streisand and Michael Jackson. File photograph: Getty Images

Sat Mar 23 2019 - 15:11

Barbra Streisand has said she believes the two men who alleged Michael Jackson sexually abused them as children but questioned why the alleged victims' parents allowed them to sleep at the singer's home.

The two men, James Safechuck and Wade Robson, appeared in the recent documentary Leaving Neverland and alleged in graphic detail that Jackson abused them.

They both said they were young boys when the pop singer invited them and their families to his Neverland ranch, where he is alleged to have carried out attacks.

The film was met by a furious reaction by the Jackson estate, which denied the allegations and lambasted the documentary as “an outrageous and pathetic attempt to exploit and cash in” on the superstar.

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In a new interview with The London Times, Oscar-winning actor and singer Streisand (76) said she “absolutely” believes Robson and Safechuck and described Jackson, whom she once turned down an offer of a duet with, as “very sweet, very childlike”.

She added: “His sexual needs were his sexual needs, coming from whatever childhood he has or whatever DNA he has. You can say ‘molested’, but those children, as you heard say [the grown-up Robson and Safechuck], they were thrilled to be there. They both married and they both have children, so it didn’t kill them.”

Asked if she was angry with Jackson, she said: “It’s a combination of feelings. I feel bad for the children. I feel bad for him. I blame, I guess, the parents, who would allow their children to sleep with him. Why would Michael need these little children dressed like him and in the shoes and the dancing and the hats?”

Both Stephanie Safechuck and Joy Robson, the mothers of the two alleged victims, appeared in Leaving Neverland to recount their experiences with Jackson.

Stephanie said she “failed to protect” her son, while Joy said she regretted her decision to leave her child with Jackson at his Neverland ranch. – PA

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