Wade Robson, the dancer and choreographer at the center of the explosive 2019 documentary Leaving Neverland, opens up once again about the intense public and personal fallout he and fellow accuser James Safechuck have endured in the years since they accused Michael Jackson of sexual abuse as minors.
In the new sequel documentary, Leaving Neverland 2: Surviving Michael Jackson, both Robson and Safechuck reflect on the vicious backlash from Jackson’s dedicated fanbase and the media, which has lasted more than a decade.
Robson, now 42, recalls the terrifying reaction to their allegations, describing how “the whole world” turned on them after they came forward. “It’s fricking terrifying,” Robson explains in the documentary. “The reaction from angry Michael fans and media can be extremely vicious.” He describes the emotional toll of dealing with death threats, protests, and a hostile public, all while fighting a long and difficult legal battle against Jackson’s estate.
Safechuck, now 47, shares his own fears before the release of Leaving Neverland, explaining how the pressure of going public with such a sensitive and personal story weighed heavily on him. “The scope of what happened was like the thing I was most afraid of,” Safechuck admits. “Michael always said, ‘Your life will be over if people knew about what he did.’”
The emotional documentary also explores the intimate details of the alleged abuse. Safechuck recalls moments of manipulation by Jackson, where he was told by the late pop star that his life would be ruined if he ever spoke out. These disturbing revelations show the psychological hold Jackson allegedly had over the young boys.
Michael Jackson’s estate has continued to deny the allegations, calling them false and accusing Robson and Safechuck of being “opportunists.” Jonathan Steinsapir, attorney for the Jackson estate, reaffirmed this stance, stating, “We remain fully confident that Michael is innocent of these allegations. We trust that the truth will ultimately prevail.”
In Leaving Neverland 2, Robson also revisits his now-famous 2019 interview with Oprah Winfrey, where the talk show host offered him and Safechuck a platform to share their experiences. “Oprah got what we were going through,” Robson reflects. “Getting to the point in life where it was no longer an option to keep it a secret.” Winfrey, who herself is a survivor of sexual abuse, expressed deep empathy for the accusers, creating a space for them to speak their truth despite the inevitable backlash.
The documentary continues to highlight the emotional journey of both men, who were once close to Jackson and even defended him during his 2005 child molestation trial. Robson, who had previously been one of Jackson’s most vocal defenders, was a key witness in that trial, only to later accuse the pop star of abuse. Both Robson and Safechuck claim that they were groomed by Jackson to remain silent, with Jackson allegedly using threats to keep them from speaking out.
Leaving Neverland 2: Surviving Michael Jackson will be available to stream on YouTube in the U.S. beginning on March 18 at 8 p.m. ET.
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