Michael Jackson

I started a thread about Michael Jackson a few months ago. If you search 'Do you think Michael Jackson was innocent or guilty' you should find it.

It's shocking that there are so many nefarious men in show business, is it a reflection of men in general percentage wise or do those types gravitate towards the industry?

It's firstly the nature of abuse, it's surrounded in shame and secrecy. Secondly, there are paedophiles and paedophile rings going back a long time, protected by the upper echelons.

Thirdly, women especially young girls were treated as disposable. People at the BBC witnessed top Radio 1 DJs and other personalities taking advantage of their female fans and saw it as a perk of the job.

Fourth, t's the untouchable nature of being a big star, people don't say no to them. Look at the way Russell Brand got assistants to scout out women for him to have sex with.

Saville was so big, he was ensconced in high society. He was friends with the PM and the royal family. Allegations were made against him at the time but they were ignored because of his status. He was untouchable.

Finally, entertainment is notoriously difficult to break into and very competitive. People don't want to whistle blow in case they never work in the industry again.

Because he was never proven guilty of anything?

The first young lad who “accused” him of things was lying, fabricated by his father. His father later took his own life I believe.

I think Jackson was incredibly naive with a lot his actions, but I don’t think he had it in him to do what he was accused of. My opinion is irrelevant anyway, as nothing was proven either way. He’s managed to raise three articulate kids that clearly doted on him.

His music is massively important to me and millions of others. He’s one of the greatest music artists who ever lived.

The credibility of the accusations wasn't helped by a dm taking a huge cheque....

Because he was never convicted, there is doubt about his guilt (unlike Saville) and he's dead. HTH.

That Bashir interview 🥺
Yes, Spacey, extraordinary that he’s cancelled.

I do think many fans are in denial. I myself didn't believe it at first but the documentary featuring the two men convinced me 'beyond reasonable doubt'. One of my sons is still in denial, he's been an MJ fan since before he started school so almost 40 years. We agreed to disagree! Having said that it's really difficult to give up something that was a major part of your own life. For me it's Gary Glitter, I know he's a wrong'un but I loved the music, still do, it's more the Glitter Band sound than the vocals. It seems sad that the band have had part of their careers cancelled because of GG, so I still listen to the music when I am on my own. It makes me wonder about Huw Edwards because he hosted a few Royal events, does that mean they will be airbrushed out of history or will someone edit to remove him? It's shocking that there are so many nefarious men in show business, is it a reflection of men in general percentage wise or do those types gravitate towards the industry?

Square One was an interesting documentary to question alot of the claims made.

Gill wasn’t. Huw was found guilty of receiving WhatsApp’s and the BBC have removed Dr Who’s with him in. It’s proven that MJ paid off young boys who had stayed over unaccompanied. Does anyone really think he didn’t molest them?
I don’t have strong feelings about ‘cancelling’ but OP is right to question why MJ hasn’t been.

Because mj fans are incredibly obsessive about him and his mediocre music.

They were all found guilty though, even Saville was found guilty after his death.

Gary Glitter
Rolf Harris
Huw Edwards
Jimmy Saville
R Kelly
Eric Gill (niche!)

70’s/ 80’s toptp is pretty much unbroadcastable.

😂

Extremely well put.

It’s a good question OP with a complex answer regarding societies response (not individuals) and I think it is absolutely about his talent and quality of music.

Michael Jackson made some of the best music in human history. Certainly twentieth century. Genuis level. Kids hear it and love it - and they’re too young to be told why he was such a terrible person and about his victims.

What do we do? Many other artists, writers, musicians whose work we adore and celebrate will have been abhorrent people and done similar deeds.

It’s ultimately an ethical and human question about whether humans can enjoy art distinct from the person who made it.

In MJ’s case I wouldn’t give money to his estate (eg by paying for his music) but I don’t stop my children listening to it - I’ve tried but they ask hard questions that they’re too young to hear the answers for.

Simply not true.

Was Kevin Spacey convicted? I cant remember, I suppose if not that is the comparison, someone that was accused but never convicted and his career is virtually over and 'cancelled' (if that is the term people use these days)

But the same hasnt happened to Michael Jackson.

The other comparisons arent quite the same because of the conviction, so Glitter, Harris etc

Would you have let your dc go for a sleepover at his house?

I distrust people who want others cancelled. It's bullying and nasty.

At least one of his accusers admitted he lied so he could extract money. Many others who were there, including a well known boy actor, says Jackson never did anything.

I distrust accussors who end up being "compensated".

He really wasnt

It seems the greater the talent, the greater the ability to gloss over the terrible deeds.

I wonder this about Brad Pitt. Court records say he struck one of his children, poured beer over them and Angelina Jolie while they huddled under a blanket and was basically a drunk, abusive arsehole throughout the flight. Yet his career remains unscathed.