Not everyone is headed to the cinemas to watch the recently released Michael Jackson biopic.
One of the King of Pop’s accusers, James Safechuck, alleged that the iconic vocalist sexually assaulted him as a child during his visits to Neverland. Now, Safechuck has his back turned while many eyes are glued to the screens watching the viral biopic.
The film, which has been making headlines for a while, had several fans captivated and eagerly awaiting its release. Michael Jackson broke records during his lifetime by revolutionizing music videos and redefining popular dance, and was the first person ever to win eight Grammys in one night. Now he sets records in another sector of the entertainment industry, years after his death.
“Michael” has been making headlines, which have skyrocketed with its release in theaters. Many fans rushed to grab their tickets and popcorn to enjoy the show, but one person has assured the masses that he would not be caught in that queue. Safechuck says there is no way he is going to watch the film with a strong opinion that it should not have been produced in the first place.
TMZ reports that over the weekend, Safechuck was spotted in Sherman Oaks and asked if he planned to check out “Michael” on opening weekend, to which he responded simply but unequivocally, “no.” He stressed that the movie should not have seen the light of day, adding that his reason is clear: He does not believe in supporting child abusers.
Safechuck also raised his support for abuse survivors during his chat with outlets. In case you missed it, Safechuck and Wade Robson claim that they were sexually abused by the “Smooth Criminal” hit maker. Their allegations were not included in the biopic, and Safechuck was also asked about the missing storyline.
James Safechuck Stands With Abuse Survivors
Shortly after the movie hit screens, Safechuck, who is also an actor, sent a reassuring message to others who have been sexually abused. The video clip made its way to the internet via the actor’s attorney, where he spoke about the promotion “Michael” was getting amid the singer’s alleged crimes.
He noted that the noise around the biopic could be triggering for other sexual assault survivors who may have been abused by different people in their lives, such as their sports coach, stepparent, and even a priest. He added that many a time, abusers are praised even when the alleged victims courageously come forth with detailed allegations.
Safechuck urged his listeners to lean on their support systems for love, adding that they should know that they are not passing through the pain alone. As shared by The Blast, Safechuck sent appreciation to news outlets for pushing his video message to the headlines on their platforms on Friday, April 24. He also reiterated his allegations that Michael was forcefully having his way with children during the Bad era.
Inside The Accusations Against The Late King Of Pop
Safechuck and Wade Robson both came forward with claims that the hitmaker had sexually abused them as kids on the HBO documentary “Leaving Neverland.” They are suing the singer’s estate for $400 million in damages. Michael was never convicted of any crime, and his companies continue to deny the allegations, yet the two accusers maintain their stance.
They made strong, vivid accusations against the musician, which were detailed in the documentary now removed from the HBO streaming platform. Robson alleged in their lawsuit that he was abused every time he was with the artist. He cited that he spent time at Neverland during which the “Thriller” singer would fondle him, touch his body, and sometimes force him to watch as he performed sexual acts.
Safechuck, on the other hand, disclosed that he met the entertainer during a Pepsi commercial. Initially, he felt safe with him, but things then transitioned into an extensive grooming process. The actor also detailed how, at the beginning, his interaction with Michael felt loving but shortly became manipulative with time. He admitted that he was initially thrilled to be around the pop star, but realized there was a sinister agenda at play.
Robson and Safechuck both claim that the assault allegedly took place when they were children between 1988 and 1992. They established a pattern claiming that the late hitmaker lured them with a grooming process that began with gifts and frequent invitations to the Neverland Ranch and tours.
‘Michael’ Tops The Charts The Weekend Of Its Release
The Lionsgate biopic has risen to the occasion at the box office. The film arrived in theaters as an instant sensation with $97 million domestically and $217 million globally in its first weekend of release. Topping the chart like the legendary King of pop, the ticket sales for the film rank as the best start of all time for a biopic, exceeding the $60 million record set by 2025’s “Straight Outta Compton.”
“Michael” has also surpassed 2018’s “Bohemian Rhapsody,” which opened to $51 million before leaving fans wide-eyed with $910 million worldwide by the end of its run. As reported by Variety, the late musician’s biopic has made waves as the second-biggest debut of the year behind April’s sequel “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” ($131 million).
The film continues to rise above expectations, rocking the box office despite the terrible reviews on Rotten Tomatoes. 38% of the reviews were positive on the critic site; however, audiences strongly disagreed with the rating. “Michael” has been tagged with an “A-” grade on CinemaScore exit polls, and most of the viewers are female.
The Production Of Michael Jackson’s Biopic Sparked Family Feud
The late musician’s family members were at loggerheads over the biopic long before its release. It was the musicians’ sister, Janet, versus his brother Jermaine and other members of the Jackson household. Due to the unsettled differences, Janet’s role was completely wiped out from the film despite her close relationship with her late brother in real life. The Blast reported that she was offered an opportunity to be featured in the biopic, but she turned it down.
According to sources close to the family, the reason Janet and Jermaine are not seeing eye to eye is due to envy. “Janet’s always been insanely jealous of Michael, and her career is in the toilet,” the source disclosed. They also revealed that during the family review last month, the Jackson siblings got into a very heated argument over the phone.
Everyone but Janet applauded the film, cheering proudly at the preview, while the second most successful Jackson stood apart with criticism. While the topic of envy looms, Janet has previously shown her desire for her late brother to have the spotlight. Last year, she reportedly turned down all the offers to shoot her own biopic because “Michael” was yet to make its debut.
