In HBO's bombshell documentary Leaving Neverland, Wade Robson and James Safechuck accuse the phenomenally talented pop star Michael Jackson of sexually assaulting them as children. The film reveals unforgettable details of their disturbing relationship with Jackson, examines the damage done to their families, and portrays how survivors of child sexual assault - in this case, alleged - process the trauma as they grow up.
The film has helped swing public opinion about Jackson, who died at age 50 in June 2009. In response to the backlash, the Thriller singer's fans, biographer and estate have fired back. They point out that Jackson was under FBI investigation for years, and acquitted of all charges in two trials. During the first trial, Robson and Safechuck testified to Jackson's innocence as children; during the second, Robson testified to Jackson's innocence while in his 20's. The estate claims both men are lying now because they're trying to get money (although the estate has an obvious interest in money).
In response to the controversy, singer Aaron Carter, who rose to prominence as a child pop star in the late 90's, spoke to TMZ about his relationship with Michael Jackson last March. The 31-year-old angrily criticized the documentary, questioning why the men testified that Jackson did not molest them in previous investigations, although this was already addressed in both the documentary and Oprah Winfrey's Leaving Neverland after special.
"You're a grown man, and when Michael Jackson was alive, you are backing him," Carter rants. "You are up his ass, you are kissing his ass, you are there to testify for him under oath, and then when he dies, you decide that's a good time to come out? No, what you're doing is, you're actually stomping on an icon and a legend's grave - you're stomping his grave. Why not do it when he was alive? Why not do it when he was being accused of all of these molestation charges? Why not do it then and actually indict a perpetrator?"
In both Leaving Neverland and Oprah's after special, which was recorded in front of an audience of survivors of childhood sexual assault, Robson and Safechuck answer these questions. They explain that, like many survivors of childhood sexual assault, it took years for them to recognize that what they experienced was abuse - specifically, both men did not realize it until having children of their own.
Carter went on to recall his own experiences with Jackson, claiming there was no issues whatsoever: "I remember having the time of my life with Michael, I was about 15 years old. I hung out with Michael Jackson, I stayed at his house, I stayed in his bedroom... It's hard for me to understand that - how am I supposed to understand that when my own personal experience with him was gentle and beautiful and loving and embracing."
However, now Carter might be changing his tune. A TMZ reporter caught up with him at LAX, and he said, "To be honest, after seeing everyone's story unfold, I mean, I was a little aggressive when I talked about it at first... Everyone has their own stories and everyone has their own situations... in regards to that situation, I actually have my own experience that happened with Michael, so I'm gonna be talking about in the future."
The singer goes on to say he's working on a book where he will detail his experience with the Billie Jean singer. "I'll always have his back though... I will tell my truth," Carter says. "[My family's] known about it, they just never talk about it... I keep it real as f**k, I don't care."
TMZ titled their YouTube video "Aaron Carter Flips On Michael Jackson," but I wouldn't go that far. It's possible he could 'flip' on Jackson and reveal sexual assault accusations in the book; and it's also possible Carter did not experience any issues with Jackson, and is just done criticizing Robson and Safechuck's allegations.