Barbra Streisand Sympathizes With Michael Jackson After 'Leaving Neverland'
By Katrina Nattress
March 23, 2019
Barbra Streisand has gotten herself into some hot water for her thoughts on the Leaving Neverland documentary. While speaking with The Times UK ahead of her London concerts this summer, the acclaimed actress/singer said that while she "absolutely" believed Michael Jackson's alleged victims Wade Robson and James Safechuck; however, she downplayed the long-lasting trauma inflicted on the men.
“You can say ‘molested’, but those children, as you heard say, they were thrilled to be there," she explained to the outlet. "They both married and they both have children, so it didn’t kill them.”
She went on to defend the King of Pop, describing him as "very sweet, very childlike” when she met him, and chalking up his urge to be with little boys to his "DNA" and the way he was brought up. “His sexual needs were his sexual needs, coming from whatever childhood he has or whatever DNA he has,” she explained, excusing his predatory behavior. “I feel bad for the children. I feel bad for him.”
As for blame, Streisand puts it on the parents for enabling their kids to sleep in the same bed as Jackson. “I blame, I guess, the parents, who would allow their children to sleep with him,” she said. “Why would Michael need these little children dressed like him and in the shows and the dancing and the hats?”
Her comments have received an enormous amount of backlash, both from critics and fans. Even Leaving Neverland director Dan Reed chimed in. "Is pedophilia tolerated in parts of the entertainment industry?" he asked on Twitter. "Motion to permanently remove Barbra Streisand as queer icon. Do I have a second?" wrote another user.
Babs has yet to address the backlash. See some reactions below.
“His sexual needs were his sexual needs” - is pedophilia tolerated in parts of the entertainment industry? #leavingneverland https://t.co/LTdq1LXLkg
— Dan Reed (@danreed1000) March 23, 2019
Chaos at Gay HQ As Barbra Streisand's Status Downgraded from Yas Queen to Bye Felicia
— Eric D. Snider (@EricDSnider) March 23, 2019
*Barbra Streisand is trending*
— That girl Joey (@JustJoeyJoeyJo) March 23, 2019
Oh shit I hope she is ok
*sees why Barbra Streisand is trending*
Wtf Barb? This is not ok. pic.twitter.com/gAFZ9mR5hP
Motion to permanently remove Barbra Streisand as queer icon. Do I have a second? https://t.co/K1hiyhDIxj
— Charlotte Clymer🏳️🌈 (@cmclymer) March 23, 2019
Here’s what Barbara Streisand said about Michael Jackson molesting KIDS:
— Robby Starbuck (@robbystarbuck) March 23, 2019
“His sexual needs were his sexual needs"
“You can say molested but those children were thrilled to be there"
"It didn’t kill them"
She also blames pedophilia on DNA. Sickening. https://t.co/QvQUz5mZGa
Photo: Getty Images