Michael Jackson Biopic Release Triggers Abuse Survivor: 'You Are Not Alone'

James Safechuck, one of two plaintiffs who accused Michael Jackson of sexually abusing them as children in HBO’s 2019 documentary Leaving Neverland, released a video message on Friday to offer support to fellow survivors of childhood sexual abuse as the Jackson estate rallies behind the late singer’s new biopic, Michael.

In the video, obtained by TheWrap from Safechuck’s legal representatives, he addressed the emotional impact of the film’s release:

“I wanted to come on and connect with other survivors of childhood sexual abuse. The ‘Michael’ movie’s coming out and it’s getting a lot of promotion. There’s billboards and commercials and just people praising Michael and it can be triggering for survivors who have their own Michael in their lives—whether it’s the priest who’s close to God or the sports coach who’s just helping the kids or the step-parent who’s supporting the family. Our abusers are praised sometimes, even after we come out and tell the truth.”

Safechuck continued, emphasizing solidarity and healing:

“I just wanted to let you know that you’re not alone and that there’s other survivors out there that understand what you’re going through and that are there with you. And that if you’re feeling all the feels, then lean into people that are close to you, lean into people that support you and that give you love and know that you’re not alone … Telling the truth and telling what happened is a good thing and that it’s part of your healing.”

The biopic Michael, directed by Antoine Fuqua, follows Jackson’s life from his childhood in The Jackson 5 to his global superstardom. It stars Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson in his feature film debut, with Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson, Nia Long as Katherine Jackson, and Miles Teller as attorney John Branca. The film hit theaters on Friday, October 18, 2024.

Safechuck is one of two plaintiffs, alongside Wade Robson, in an ongoing civil lawsuit against Jackson’s corporate entities, MJJ Productions and MJJ Ventures. In 2023, a three-judge California appeals court reversed dismissals from 2020 and 2021, allowing the lawsuits to proceed.

The two men were central figures in Leaving Neverland, which detailed their claims that Jackson repeatedly molested them and manipulated their families into trusting him. They allege the companies had a “duty of care” and that employees acted as “co-conspirators, collaborators, facilitators and alter egos” during the period they say they were assaulted.

Jackson, who died in 2009, consistently denied any wrongdoing and was acquitted of child molestation charges in 2005. In response to the allegations, Jonathan Steinsapir, a lawyer for Jackson’s estate, stated:

“We remain fully confident that Michael is innocent of these allegations, which are contrary to all credible evidence and independent corroboration, and which were only first made years after Michael’s death by men motivated solely by money.”

The biopic has already broken box office records and drawn both praise and criticism, reflecting the polarizing legacy of the late pop icon.