Leaving Neverland directors slams celebrities defending Michael Jackson

The director of controversial documentary Leaving Neverland has slammed the ‘horrific’ behaviour of celebrities who have attempted to defend Michael Jackson.

Pop icon Diana Ross has been among the Hollywood names to defend Jackson from allegations of child sexual abuse made in the HBO documentary. 

Actress Barbra Streisand has also claimed the accusers were ‘thrilled to be there’  before later apologising for her remarks – while Macaulay Culkin has appeared to laugh off the allegations.

But Leaving Neverland showrunner Dan Reed has hit out at his series’ detractors, saying their criticism said a lot about attitudes in the entertainment industry.

‘People like Barbra Streisand are coming out and saying that it was not such a bad thing and that it didn’t kill them – that’s horrific,’ he told Sunrise on Thursday.

‘It does tell you about attitudes in the industry – particularly among the older generation.

‘Stars having their way with fans was something that was accepted and it was all brushed under the carpet because money was being made.’ 

The Jackson estate has served HBO with a $100 million lawsuit for allegedly breaching a contract that was signed by the network and the King of Pop back in 1992 (new documentary pictured) 

The director also addressed the level of fear people his interviewees had for the lawyers of Jackson’s estate. 

The Jackson estate has served HBO with a $100 million lawsuit for allegedly breaching a contract that was signed by the network and the King of Pop back in 1992.

‘I interviewed a lot of the police investigators and spoke to other people and the level of fear was quite high,’ he said.

Director Dan Reed’s interview with Channel Seven comes after a rabbi and former friend of Michael Jackson revealed he believes the singer’s accusers – Australian Wade Robson and American James Safechuck – are telling the truth

Reed has hit out at his series’ detractors, saying their criticism said a lot about attitudes in the entertainment industry

‘People are afraid of the power of his lawyers and his wealth. He was known to be extremely aggressive to anyone who crossed his path.’ 

Reed’s interview with Channel Seven comes after a rabbi and former friend of Michael Jackson revealed he believes the singer’s accusers – Australian Wade Robson and American James Safechuck – are telling the truth.

‘I don’t believe these men are lying, and I don’t believe that the shame and guilt being experienced by their parents in general, maybe their mothers, in particular, is feigned,’ he said.