Michael Jackson and Macaulay Culkin
Calling the allegations against Jackson “absolutely ridiculous,” Macaulay Culkin told jurors that staying over at Jackson’s Neverland Ranch was “good old fun.”
Culkin acknowledged sleeping in Jackson’s bed a dozen or more times between the ages of 9 and 14, but insisted nothing of a sexual nature ever happened between the two.
“I’ve fallen asleep in the same bed with him,” Culkin said. “I’d just flop down.”
Read more: Jackson Never Molested Me
Wade Robson
“Michael Jackson changed the world and, more personally, my life forever. He is the reason I dance, the reason I make music and one of the main reasons I believe in the pure goodness
of humankind.
He has been a close friend of mine for 20 years.
His music, his movement, his personal words
of inspiration and encouragement and his unconditional love will live inside of me forever.
I will miss him immeasurably, but I know that he is now at peace and enchanting the heavens
with a melody and a moonwalk. I love you Michael.”
Robson’s close relationship at a young age
with Jackson and the time he spent at Jackson’s Neverland ranch drew controversy and resulted
in Robson being called to testify at Jackson’s 2005 trial in California.
Robson defended Jackson and rejected the allegations against him.
Read more: Wade Breaks Silence
Wade Robson’s mother speaks: “I’ve never ever had a second of a concern…He’s not what the media makes him out to be.”
David Pack (right). Michael meets Leonard Bernstein
“I want to say that I feel all of the allegations ever charged against Michael were false, and that in my discernment, he did not have the capacity to ever do anything except love children and let them know he would do anything to stand up for them, and help them. Just look at the magnificent work he did on their behalf in writing and co-producing “We Are The World”, and the 39 charities for children he gave to generously. That was Michael. I believe that during his trials he related to the suffering of Christ, and prayed for intervention, because he was being accused over what he loved most—children. This caused him perhaps more pain than anything in his life.”
Read more: Michael Jackson, Jesus, and Me
Anjelica Huston
“I never believed any of the allegations or insinuations against him. We had lunch together about a month ago, and he talked about his ordeal. He felt like he had really been put through the ringer. He said they wanted blood. I felt so bad for him, and I felt that he was really broken-hearted from what had been done.”
Read more: Anjelica Huston Remembers Michael
Brett Ratner (left) with Michael Jackson
“When you were with him, you really felt like God was within him. He was an amazing, superhuman kind of person, but he always treated you as an equal. He would be your friend and he never asked for anything in return.”
Read more: Brett Ratner on Michael Jackson: You felt like God was within him
David Gest
“I have known Michael almost all my life, and I find it so sad to think that people would believe that he could do something like this (2003 charges). You know, what people do not understand, Greta, is that Michael was raised around people, at 12 years old and 14 years old, who were adults. And the first thing they’d say is, ‘You know, Michael, I’d like to borrow $500,000 from you. You know, Michael, loan me $250,000. I’ve got a great business deal for you.’ And everybody wanted something from him. I know people find it odd because he hangs around with younger people. And probably, he should have married much younger and had his own children, and he would never have had these problems. But he’s always liked to be around kids because they don’t ask anything of him. They’re innocent.”
Michael's Son, Blanket (left), with Carrie Fisher (right)
“I do NOT believe that Michael did anything untoward to not only his children, but to any other child. He was a child himself. I never in any way viewed him as someone who was capable of doing what they accused him of doing.”
Read more: Michael and me
Robin Gibb, Singer with the Bee Gees
“The fact was that he wasn’t afforded the respect that he deserved—here was a guy who was acquitted in his trial last year but in, America particularly, he was very troubled. He was very frightened of doing live stage shows after the trial because he was worried about the attacks that might occur. I think it really got to him.”
Seth Riggs, Michael's Vocal Coach for 32 Years
“I not only lost an extraordinary pupil, I lost a great friend. He will be truly missed as one of the most inspirational, kind, and dedicated people to have graced us with his enormous talents.
I do hope that in this time of mourning, we as a people, can focus on the immense greatness that Michael shared with the world, and not diminish his name with any negative accusations. He was a beacon of light and harmonious genius, and he should be remembered for all the treasures he left us. We are blessed to have lived in the time of, Michael Jackson.”
Read more: Michael Jackson, Loss of a Legend
Dionne Warwick
Singer Dionne Warwick has defended Michael Jackson, calling his child molestation case a “complete injustice.” “I’ve watched him grow to become the icon that he is, and I wouldn’t even consider believing the claims against him,” the 63-year-old Warwick said at a press conference.
Read more: Complete Injustice
Dr. Wayne Dyer
“My friend pop superstar Michael Jackson…had a special relationship with the principles of Real Magic, the idea of creating miracles in everyday life… I didn’t have to explain “real magic” to Michael because he was already a spiritual being, already kind, loving, and ready to use his musical gift to create miracles. Along with millions of people around the world, I say, thank you, Michael, for sharing your amazing talent to lift our spirits. I’ll remember you as a beautiful human being with a heart as big as the sky.”
Read more: Real Magic and Michael
Mallika Chopra
“My family always maintained our belief that Michael was innocent in both cases—for those that were close to Michael, all would admit he was quirky and had bad judgment at times. But to think Michael could abuse a child was unfathomable…
Over the last decade, my relationship with Michael continued to be focused on kids, but now our own. (We remained connected through my best friend, Grace, who served as their nanny for many years.) It was amazing for me to witness in those early years how enamored Michael was with his children. He changed their diapers through the night, sang and played with them, rocked them to sleep, bathed them and had to change his own outfits when they threw up on him—the same routine that all parents know and love. In the few times we spoke, he would always reflect on the miracle of being a parent. He also protected them in a way that reflected his own lost childhood, and his paranoia about being taken advantage of. Paris, Prince and Blanket are three beautiful children. With Michael gone, I truly pray that they will find some peace and be spared the heart wrenching pain that their father faced time and time again in his life.”
Read more: Reflections on Growing up with Michael Jackson
Jimmy Osmond
“Osmond said he would often defend his showbiz friend when others would criticize various actions or habits lit up by the media. He always believed Jackson was severely misunderstood.”
Read more: Osmond Recalls Friendship with Jackson
Dame Elizabeth Taylor
Actress Elizabeth Taylor said she believes Michael Jackson is “absolutely innocent” of child molestation charges and will be “vindicated.”
In a statement, Taylor also criticized the press for behaving “abominably” toward Michael Jackson. “Their whole reaction is that he is guilty. I thought the law was ‘innocent until proven guilty.’ I know he is innocent and I hope they all eat crow,” Taylor said of the press.
Read more: Michael Jackson Innocent
Liza Minnelli (right) with Michael Jackson
No matter what charges are filed by Santa Barbara County against Jackson, Liza Minnelli says he’s innocent.
“Those people [the family of the accuser] are after money,” she said. “It was the same way 10 years ago. I’ve spent a lot of time at Neverland. There’s never a time when children are unsupervised. There are people everywhere.”
Read more: Michael’s Innocent
Stevie Wonder
“He had a childlike heart. And that was very, very impressive to me. At the end of the day, we’re all human beings, and for those who can’t see that it is possible for a man who’s an adult to have a childlike spirit, it doesn’t mean that they’re weird, it doesn’t mean they’re a freak or whatever ridiculous things people say. We have all kinds of people in the world. The most important thing is that your heart is in a good place.”
