Barbra Streisand Sympathizes With Michael Jackson After 'Leaving Neverland'

91st Annual Academy Awards - Show

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.

Photo: Getty Images


Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content