Michael Jackson waves to his supporters as he arrives for his child molestation trial in Santa Maria, Calif. in 2005. By Lavanya Ramanathan and Lavanya Ramanathan Features reporter Email Bio Follow Elahe Izadi Elahe Izadi Pop culture writer Email Bio Follow March 4 at 7:44 PM When Michael Jackson died in 2009, the singer had hit a low point, dogged by personal scandals and diminishing star power that paled in comparison to the rarefied heights he achieved in his record-setting career.
For a legion of die-hard Jackson fans, the allegations rang false. On social media, they co-opted the hashtag #LeavingNeverland as their own, posting their criticisms of the film and bombarding celebrities who tweeted about the documentary. Bus ads appeared in London, declaring, “Facts don’t lie. People do.” Jackson’s estate offered its own counterprogramming during the documentary’s premiere, enthusiastically promoting new concert footage while remaining silent on the allegations.
Jackson designated his mother, Katherine, and his three children as beneficiaries of his estate, which has vigorously tried and failed to stop the film from airing, filing a $100 million lawsuit last month in Los Angeles Superior Court accusing HBO of violating a 1992 contract promising not to disparage the singer.
But Allen Adamson, co-founder of marketing form Metaforce and an adjunct business professor at New York University, said corporate partners may turn skittish. “For any mainstream marketing tapping into big sponsors and big advertisers, I think it’s going to come off the table, certainly for the next couple of years and maybe forever, because marketers are risk-averse,” he said. “There are plenty of choices in entertainment.
Controversy followed Jackson as well. Since the early 1990s, five boys alleged molestation or inappropriate behavior; the families of two arranged settlements with the pop star, reportedly totaling more than $20 million.
And we care because?
The press enabled his child abuse. Now after the damage is done and he’s dead, they run a few articles about his abuse. Sick. The WaPo is unethical.
Not a nice person.
Just in you'r dreams
Some of us who were big fans in the 80's, didn't need YEARS of convincing that his obsession with having little boys around him & sleeping over IN his bed were not normal & quite alarming. As a parent I wouldn't even consider for a nano second of allowing my child to participate
Tough shit.
Many enablers surrounded Michael.
What the f*ckity f*ck?! So all because a documentary further exploits that Michael Jackson was a damaged and dysfunctional person with multiple alleged pedophilia allegations I should not listen to his music? Not happening. Art and the artist are separate entities.
Leaving Neverland is bullshit just Ike this article. Change nothing for me. Always trying to white thing out. No working this time, we are on to you, we know your game.
His supporters can’t admit his guilt because it would mean facing their own moral complicity. They’re not strong enough for that. Pathetic and predictable.
The pain, betrayal, and love in their faces was so real and raw. I know that face. Man in the Mirror
The 'guy' was a stalker of little children and a pedophile - should have his fortune distributed to help his victims and peeps can make their own minds up about listening to his music. Baby it's cold outside......remember that shit storm. That is nothing compared to this.
Thats what you re worried about..
Why was nothing done? Why did EVERYONE turn their cheek on these poor kids Very sad
Not for me.
Just another pedo... Catholic priests...
Or, like, maybe his behavior did that?
Actually it was a total failure. Thank u, next
Michael will be so upset.
........and all of his enablers.
and everything looked so normal