Ron Zonen, a prosecutor in the 2005 trial who has tried many sex-abuse cases, told me he understood why Wade Robson and Jimmy Safechuck came out when they did, instead of when we needed them. Especially for male victims, he said, it has to be on their terms. How Jackson Accuser James Safechuck Is Doing Now, 2019, American History Has Been Whitewashed, But, Black Teen Girls On TV Are A Mess Finally, Safechuck shared detailed allegations in HBO's 2019, Dan Reed said on the podcast Reality Life With Kate Casey, the standing ovation he and Robson received, tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey on March 4, Jackson's family claims Safechuck and Robson, he was initially hesitant to participate in. The judge did not rule on the credibility of Robsons allegations. (The boy is mentioned by name and in photos in Leaving Neverland.). Information about his father is still under research. Paul Newman and Joanne Woodwards Daughters Appreciated the Fuck Hut Detail Too. He first met Jackson on set for Jackson's Pepsi commercial. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); You have entered an incorrect email address! James is known to be an actor and a software developer. hide caption. The Jackson Estate has responded to Leaving Neverland, denouncing the documentary since its debut at Sundance. Ill Let the Chips Fall Where They May: The Life and Confessions of Mob Chef David Ruggerio. Jackson took him on stage during the "Bad" tour and let the boy moonwalk beside him on stage. he said. "It's still really hard for me. In 2017, Robson returned to his dance career, but on a much smaller scale. Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office/Getty Images, 'Neverland' Director On Investigating 'What Happened Once The Bedroom Door Closed'. On Sunday, HBO will debut its two-part documentary Leaving Neverland, featuring interviews with two of Michael Jackson's former child companions. Now, as the Leaving Neverland HBO premiere date vastly approaches, people are searching for more background on who the accusers are, including where James Safechuck is now. I have to admit I read that and I was like, Go mom, laughs Clea Newman Soderlund, speaking about her fathers posthumous memoir, Paul Newman Says Wife Joanne Woodward Turned Him Into a Sexual Creature in Posthumous Memoir. However, information about him being sexually abused by Michael Jackson has led to the evolution of documentaries that he has been participating in and engaging most of his time in it. Safechuck gave a similar statement to investigators when he was young. When the former husband and wife square off in a Virginia courtroom this week, it will mark the culmination of a divorce that has been without comparison in the annals of modern American celebrity. "Michael is my brother. Please select the topics you're interested in: Would you like to turn on POPSUGAR desktop notifications to get breaking news ASAP? In 2014, he sued MJJ Productions and MJJ Ventures, and has alleged they "were created to, and did, facilitate Jackson's sexual abuse of children". In 2011, in a second autobiography called Starting Over, La Toya Jackson retracted her allegations against both her brother Michael and her father Joe, saying that she was forced to make them by her husband at the time, whom she accused of being abusive. We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article. The Daily Beast reports in 2013 that after very publicly and repeatedly defending Jackson, Robson now says that Jackson sexually molested him for seven years. He filed a lawsuit claiming he was sexually abused by Jackson over a seven-year period. Being born on 28 February 1978, James Safechuck is 44 years old as of today's date 4th February 2023. UPDATE: This story was originally published on March 3. But I cannot, and I will not, be a silent collaborator of his crimes against small, innocent children." So that has been transformational, with the way this film has been received. Ad Choices, The author, who spent more than a decade covering the scandal for V.F., shares the key revelations and insights that viewers of the new HBO documentary, The 42 Best Romantic Comedies of All Time, The 25 Best Shows on Netflix to Watch Right Now, Michael Is Everywhere: Two Michael Jackson Accusers Explain Why Theyre Speaking Out in HBOs. The Washington Post quotes Katherine as saying, "La Toya is lying and I'll tell her to her face she's lying," adding that her daughter was "trying to make money off of [Michael's] downfall.". To start with, James is a son to Stephanie. After being charged in late 2003 and then given additional charges the following April, Jackson is put on trial. Dennis explained that Joy had taken Wade and his sister to Los Angeles so Wade could be with Jackson, adding that he was afraid that he might lose his son if he said anything against the pop superstar. While he now recognizes the trauma Jackson's alleged actions caused him, Safechuck explained to CBS that he didn't realize how harmful the relationship was at the time. A court ruled in 2015 that Robson had filed his lawsuit too late to get any of Jacksons estate, leaving two remaining defendants: MJJ Productions, Inc., and MJJ Ventures, Inc. Two years later, a judge found that MJJ Productions, Inc., and MJJ Ventures, Inc., both Jackson-owned corporations, were not liable for Robsons exposure to Jackson. Beckloff, who is also the presiding judge in this suit, rejects Safechuck's suit in June 2017 on the same grounds he gave Robson. 3. For years, the former child actor has alleged that Jackson kissed him, taught him how to masturbate, performed oral sex on him, and forced him to perform oral sex. James did not open up about the abuse until he saw Wade Robson's interview, which was a contributing factor in him facing up to what he'd been through and coming forward himself. 'The Bear''s Jeremy Allen White Keeps His Awards In His Kids' Room For A Cute Reason, 'Yellowstone' Prequel '1923' Really Earned Its TV-MA Rating, Daisy Jones & The Six Is A Nostalgic Series Based On A Best-Selling Book, The 'Ted Lasso' Season 3 Trailer Is Finally Here & Fellas, It'll Give You Goosebumps, What Parents Are Talking About Delivered Straight To Your Inbox, By subscribing to this BDG newsletter, you agree to our. ", In Leaving Neverland, Robson says: "I was excited by the idea of being able to defend him. Just because he's "come out" with his story doesn't mean that he's entirely comfortable discussing it publicly, though. And the spotlight is definitely on, starting with the standing ovation he and Robson received when the four-hour documentary premiered at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival and continuing with the doc's premiere and a tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey on March 4. (Jackson's family claims Safechuck and Robson are opportunists who made up these claims to get money from Jackson's estate.) for me robson and safechuck are more credible. The parents of boys Jackson shared beds with were courted assiduously and given myriad expensive gifts. At the time, Safechuck was a child actor, only 8 years old, and just . It all started when in 1987 when Michael Jackson and James met during the Pepsi advertisement commercial. Safechuck had been working on a 1988 Pepsi advert that also starred the chart-topper. Now its the publics turn. If you have experienced sexual violence of any kind, please visit Rape Crisis or call 0808 802 9999. Michael repeatedly told him that people "wouldn't understand" what they did with each other, and that if he told anyone then they would both "go to jail" for the rest of their lives. It is said that they first met Avatarlabs while they were both working. Sign up for our daily Hollywood newsletter and never miss a story. After posting $3 million in bail the same day and surrendering his passport, Jackson is allowed to go free as he awaits trial. Wade Robson and James Safechuck once defended the pop icon against allegations of abuse, but both men are now the primary subjects of a blockbuster documentary. He was born in Simi Valley, Los Angeles County, California, and is of American descent. 2023 BDG Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Forensically examining Instagram accounts, interviews, and police reports, author Kathleen Hale reconstructs their relationship, and ultimately Petitos murder. So far, five boys Michael Jackson shared beds with have accused him of abuse: Jordie Chandler, Jason Francia, Gavin Arvizo, Wade Robson, and Jimmy Safechuck. Jackson's estate condemned the allegation and stated, "This is a person that made his claim five years after Michael died, more than 20 years after the incidents supposedly happened and has given sworn testimony that Michael never did anything inappropriate to him. The case was then dismissed by a probate court in 2017. Readers in the US are encouraged to contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline on (1-800-422-4453) or the American SPCC (www.americanspcc.org). According to Chris Haynes on the #thisleague UNCUT podcast, James' injury won't require surgery, and if need be, he could "probably" play right now, even if he would be in considerable . California judge Mark Young disagreed, saying the companies weren't directly responsible for causing emotional distress, and were not able to control Jackson, because he controlled the companies and everyone they employed. The documentary focuses on James Safechuck and Wade Robson, who filed lawsuits claiming they were sexually abused as boys at the Neverland Ranch. "I never believed for a minute my brother was guilty of anything like that. This is a bond. All rights reserved. I asked him what had prompted this sudden change of heart. Content warning: This article includes detailed claims of sexual abuse of a minor. The boy's lawyer tells the magazine, "Michael was in love with the boy.". . Dan Reed said on the podcast Reality Life With Kate Casey. The anguished voice of Wade Robsons father will always haunt me. "Because he was a minor, and he was an employee working for them, they had a duty to protect him. But for many, the question mark over his closeness to young boys has remained troubling. 7. On Mar. In an interview with danceteacher.com, Robson revealed that it was not something that he thought he would ever do. As soon as James was done with high school, he graduated from Artcenter College of design, and now he holds a degree in graphic design. What struck me most, as someone who spent more than a decade reporting on allegations against Jackson, was how closely Robsons and Safechucks stories mirrored those of Jordie Chandler and Gavin Arvizo, the 13-year-old whose allegations prompted the 2005 trial in which Jackson was acquitted on 10 felony counts, including four counts of child molestation and one of attempted child molestation. Forty years later, JoBeth Williams and Craig T. Nelson tell all about the horror classics secrets, tragedies, and controversies. Mr Safechuck also featured with Jackson in a Pepsi commercial and often appeared on stage with the singer. Safechuck did defend Jackson when he was accused of molestation for the first time in 1993 (although he declined to testify at Jackson's 2005 trial). The police find no incriminating evidence at Jackson's Neverland ranch, nor at his Los Angeles condominium. This content is imported from youTube. Jackson's team maintains that the suit is part of an attempt to extort the star for $20 million. Wade Robsons mother testified in the 2005 trial that she funneled wages through Jacksons company and was given a permanent resident visa. "It was tough. ET. There is no dispute that, at age 34, Michael Jackson slept more than 30 nights in a row in the same bed with 13-year-old Jordie Chandler at the boys house with Chandlers mother present. It's not about sex. Both men won an appeal in California earlier this. Two days after raiding Neverland, Jackson's famous ranch in Santa Barbara County, Calif., the sheriff's office arrests Jackson on charges of child molestation, but does not immediately disclose details of the charges or identify the victim. The men deny that Jackson has touched them or otherwise acted inappropriately. Another boy, Jason Francia, whose mother worked as a housekeeper for Jackson, testified under oath that he was molested by Jackson, bringing to five the number of young men whove sworn that Jackson showed them pornography, masturbated them, or introduced them to sex when they were between the ages of 7 and 12. Safechuck Says Jackson Told Him If They Were "Caught" His Life Would Be Over: After learning of Robson's abuse claim, Safechuck immediately felt "panic" like he was "being caught." "Michael had . Born on February 28, he is a Pisces. Despite the backlash, Safechuck and Robson, who are both now married with their own children, said they felt they needed to come forward not to regain favorability in the public eye, but to help others and heal themselves. "All of this was terrifying to me," Wade said. Inevitably and necessary so, considering the series is based on their personal accounts of what happened during their relationships with the superstar. At the time, he was young, impressionable, and vulnerable traits Safechuck claims Jackson used to manipulate, groom, and sexually molest him for years. James Safechuck testified under oath that Michael did nothing inappropriate. Both Jackson and the boy deny that anything untoward is going on. He continued, "James is in a pretty good place. 10. James Safechuck (left) and Wade Robson told the BBC's Victoria Derbyshire about the abuse in 2019. He took them away on holiday and then. In Leaving Neverland, his mother recalls that she had said no at first but, after getting to know Jackson and feeling that he was like another son to her, she eventually conceded in good faith. But changing somebodys mind about Michael is a really unhealthy goal. Their dismissals followed a similar pattern, too: as puberty approached, Robson and Safechuck say in the documentary, they were abruptly thrown to the curb and replaced with a new, younger kid. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Your California Privacy Rights. After years of struggling to cope with his past, Safechuck finally decided to come forward with his allegations, joining a previously begun lawsuit of Robson's. James Safechuck Facts & Wiki Where does James Safechuck live? Other members of the family, including Katherine Jackson, rally to Michael's defense. These accusations weren't new. He also slept in the same bed with Jordie Chandler at Chandlers fathers house. Michael Jackson Accusers Share Chilling Allegations: There Are Others Out There. Wade first crossed paths with the multiple Grammy Award winner in 1987 at the age of just 5. "So yeah, I quit all of it and I tried to bury it all alive and I swore Id never dance or make music or make films ever again. It has been transformational for both Wade and James.". But his counterpart, Safechuck, has been almost a complete unknown until this point. What sharp-eyed fans have noted is that the story Safechuck told Reed mirrors a myth told by the thoroughly discredited author Victor Gutierrez, who was ordered by a judge in 1998 to pay Michael $2.7 million after he alleged that he seen a 27-minute videotape of Michael Jackson having sex with a minor.