When the present informs the past, it’s seldom because of happy news. More often it’s a matter of pleasant memories being tarnished by new, unpleasant information. And, sadly, that’s what’s happening with one of music’s giants right now.
Whether you’re a supporter or an ex-supporter of Michael Jackson, “Leaving Neverland” has undeniably cast a long shadow over his legacy.
Fans have since been divided on the emotional documentary.
Many celebs known to be close to Jackson have come forward with statements since “Leaving Neverland” aired on HBO.
Aaron Carter , who says he slept over at Jackson’s house when he was 15, wondered why, if the allegations were true, did Wade Robson and James Safechuck not come forward with their accusations sooner?
Diana Ross also came out in defense of the King of Pop.
In a tweet, Ross , one of Jackson’s closest friends, said “I believe and trust that Michael Jackson was and is a magnificent incredible force to me and to many others,” and told his accusers to “stop in the name of love.”
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Even celebrities who didn’t know Michael have stood by Jackson, like Barbra Streisand.
In an interview with The Times Barbra came under fire for saying this about Michael: “His sexual needs were his sexual needs, coming from whatever childhood he has or whatever DNA he has.”
Meanwhile, Corey Feldman initially jumped to Jackson’s defense, but later backtracked.
“I can not in good consciousness defend anyone who’s being accused of such horrendous crimes,” Feldman told HLN.
Paul McCartney is just the latest celeb to make his thoughts on the explosive documentary known.
And considering that the former Beatle and Jackson collaborated on several songs, including “Say Say Say” and “The Girl Is Mine,” he might have some insight.
The rock legend says that he never knew anything about Jackson’s “dark side.”
According to The Sun , in an interview with Radio Futuro in Chile, McCartney began by reflecting, “I think it’s sad.”
He continued, “Obviously Michael was a great singer, a great artist and a great dancer.”
“For years we’ve loved that. Nobody knew about the other side that’s shown in the movie.”
McCartney also said that the allegations have tarnished his memories of Jackson.
“When I knew him he was a really nice guy,” he said.
“I didn’t know about the dark side,” McCartney continued.
“It makes it very difficult to look back on the memories, which were good memories, to think, oh boy, there was other stuff going on.”
And, to a degree, McCartney wants to hang onto the good memories of Jackson.
“For me, I’m okay to just stay with the personal memories I had of him.”
“The other side is the other side. I don’t know about that.”
“I can understand why people are very disappointed in him and angry that he had the dark side.”
He also said that he could understand those who couldn’t listen to Jackson’s music again after “Leaving Neverland.”
Despite their history of making hits together, McCartney and Jackson were said to have had a falling out after Jackson outbid McCartney for the rights to the Lennon/McCartney song catalog back in 1985.
Years later, however, McCartney said he was over the feud.
He told The Gaurdian back in 2009 that he felt “privileged to have hung out and worked with Michael.”
h/t The Sun
