Monday, 04 December 2023
KaitaiaWhangareiDargavilleAucklandThamesTaurangaHamiltonWhakataneRotoruaTokoroaTe KuitiTaumarunuiTaupoGisborneNew PlymouthNapierHastingsDannevirkeWhanganuiPalmerston NorthLevinParaparaumuMastertonWellingtonMotuekaNelsonBlenheimWestportReeftonKaikouraGreymouthHokitikaChristchurchAshburtonTimaruWanakaOamaruQueenstownDunedinGoreInvercargill
NZ HeraldThe Northern AdvocateThe Northland AgeThe AucklanderWaikato HeraldBay Of Plenty TimesRotorua Daily PostHawke's Bay TodayWhanganui ChronicleThe Stratford PressManawatu GuardianKapiti NewsHorowhenua ChronicleTe Awamutu CourierVivaEat WellOneRoofDRIVEN Car GuideThe CountryPhoto SalesiHeart RadioRestaurant Hub
Voyager 2023 media awards
Subscribe

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.
Home / Entertainment

Squirming Michael Jackson faces sexual abuse claims in unearthed interview footage

NZ Herald
4 Feb, 2019 09:15 PM2 mins to read
Saveshare

Share this article

facebookcopy linktwitterlinkedinredditemail
Michael Jackson in the unearthed tapes. Photo / JMDC Media

Michael Jackson in the unearthed tapes. Photo / JMDC Media

In newly unearthed footage, superstar Michael Jackson is seen squirming in his seat as he's questioned directly on his child molestation allegations.

The footage, obtained by DailyMailTV, was filmed at The Four Seasons Hotel in New York on March 1, 1996.

In it, Jackson is questioned by lawyers about the allegations of sexual abuse in what's understood to be the only time he was ever filmed speaking about the subject.

The footage shows Jackson being questioned on allegations involving Macaulay Culkin, Jordan Chandler and Brett Barnes and giggling while shuffling in his seat.

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

He also talks about how he's been mirepresented and at one point, compares himself to Jesus.

He said: "Jesus said to love the children and be like children; be youthful; be innocent, be pure and honorable. He was talking to his apostles and they were fighting over who was the greatest among themselves and he said, 'Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest among me.'

"He always surrounded himself with children, and that's how I was raised, to be like that and imitate that."

Whenever the abuse claims were raised, Jackson smiled and shook his head and at various points, Jackson burst out laughing for no apparent reason.

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

The three hours of VHS tapes were filmed as part of a lawsuit by five Neverland employees against Jackson for wrongful dismissal.

The star's legal team ultimately convinced the lawsuit judge to discount claims about child abuse when the six month trial started in autumn 1996.

The video follows a controversial documentary, Leaving Neverland, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and features Jackson's former child companions Wade Robson and James Safechuck, claiming the star sexually assaulted as boys.

Macaulay Culkin and Brett Barnes publicly deny any claims that they were molested by Jackson.

Related articles

Entertainment

TVNZ to screen controversial Michael Jackson doco

20 Feb 12:53 AM
Entertainment

Michael Jackson's estate sues HBO for $100 million

22 Feb 09:36 PM
Entertainment

Devastating doco will turn you off Michael Jackson for good

01 Mar 04:58 AM
Saveshare

Share this article

facebookcopy linktwitterlinkedinredditemail

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.
About NZMEHelp & SupportContact UsSubscribe to NZ HeraldHouse Rules
Manage Your Print SubscriptionNZ Herald E-EditionAdvertise with NZMEBook Your AdPrivacy Policy
Terms of UseCompetition Terms & ConditionsSubscriptions Terms & Conditions
© Copyright 2023 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP