Controversial Michael Jackson documentary premieres at Sundance. / NBC
In the wake of the controversial documentary Leaving Neverland — an inside look at the alleged abuse suffered by two men at the hands of Michael Jackson — Oprah Winfrey is set to interview the two men at the centre of the claims.
A trailer for Oprah Winfrey Presents: AfterNeverland shows Oprah in a sit-down with Jackson's accusers, Wade Robson and James Safechuck, along with the documentary's director Dan Reed.
"Here's the reason why I'm here. Twenty five years of the Oprah show I taped 217 episodes about sexual abuse," Oprah says at the start of the trailer, reports news.com.au.
"I tried and tried and tried to get the message across that sexual abuse was not just abuse, that it was sexual seduction. But for me, this moment transcends Michael Jackson, it is much bigger than any one person. It is a moment in time that allows us to see this societal corruption. It is a scourge on humanity."
Oprah makes it clear in her opening monologue that she is simply trying to get her audience to see such sexual abuse as what it really is: "a scourge on humanity." Photo / YouTube
"It's happening right now it's happening in families, we know it's happening in churches, and it's happening in schools and sports teams everywhere.
"So if it gets you, our audience, to see how it happens, then some good would have come of it."
(L-R) Wade Robson, director Dan Reed and James Safechuck at the Sundance Film Festival. Photo / Supplied
After Oprah first interviewed Michael Jackson back in 1993 she recalled: "I can tell you I really, really liked him," she says. "After this interview, I thought I could be his friend, because I felt that he was really honest."
Oprah Winfrey's interview with Michael Jackson in 1993 remains to this day the most watched interview in television history, with 90 million viewers. Photo / AP
And while she doesn't denounce Michael Jackson, it seems Oprah is supporting his abusers by providing a platform for them to speak openly, and continue the documentary's conversation about the nature of sexual abuse.
Viewers can expect the talk show host, who was raped at the age of nine, to speak about her own experiences and how important the film was in showing how seduction plays a role in sexual abuse.
"We are coming in the gates of Neverland, and it's like a moment in The Wizard of Oz," Oprah later recalled of her visit to Michael Jackson's ranch. Photo / AP
After Neverland will air March 4, at 10pm on both HBO and OWN after the finale of the documentary.
Leaving Neverland will air in New Zealand as a two-part documentary on TVNZ 1 on Sunday March 10 and Monday March 11. The full four-hour series will be available on TVNZ On Demand from March 10.
While Oprah hadn't publicly addressed the documentary after watching with close friend Gayle King, her friend took to Twitter to share her thoughts.
Just watched ALL FOUR hours of Leaving Neverland.. powerful, compelling & a game changer for those who have been afraid to speak up of child sex abuse . My heart goes out to Wade Robson &… https://t.co/qka0cmWvPg
