John Legendis encouraging fans and critics ofMichael Jacksonalike to make their own decisions.
The EGOT-winning actor and singer joined the team atElvis Duran and the Morning Showfor a chat on Thursday, where the host asked what his opinions were about where to “draw the line” as a fan when it comes toLeaving Neverland, the upcoming two-part HBO documentary about sexual-abuse allegations against the late pop star.
“I think everybody has to make their choices for themselves about what’s too far for them and whether you can listen to somebody’s music withoutthinking of the terrible things that they’ve done,” said Legend, 40. “I don’t know what’s going to be in the Michael Jackson documentary, so I’ll be watching just like everyone else.”
“But I think everybody has to make that choice and you have to decide what’s too far for you,” he added. “And obviously musicians aren’t going to be perfect and artists aren’t going to be perfect and you can’t expect artists to be blemish-free, buteverybody’s gotta decide what’s too farfor them.”
Kevin Winter/DMI/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty; Inset: Getty
John Legend.
During a Friday interview on theTodayshow, the film’s director Dan Reed opened up about the decision to include explicit details about the alleged abuse againstWade Robson and Jimmy Safechuck, the two men who say in the film that the late Jackson sexually abused them as children. They had both previously testified otherwise in court.
“For many years, the public bought into [Jackson’s narrative]. Everyone bought into this. And he was able to spend so much time in the company of little childrenwithout people thinking there was anything strangeabout this,” Reed said.
On Feb. 22, PEOPLE obtained court documents that showedJackson’s estate had filed a lawsuit over the planned broadcast, suing HBO and its parent company, Time Warner, for $100 million — claiming that airing the two-part film will violate a non-disparagement clause. Jackson’s family has alsospoken out and defended him against the allegations.
Michael Jackson and Jimmy Safechuck.
RELATED VIDEO: Michael Jackson Accusers Open Up About Once Testifying on His Behalf: “I Wish I Was Ready” Then
Legend has not shied away from expressing his opinions about abuse allegations against his fellow musicians in the past. He wasone of the first celebrities to speak out againstaccused sexual abuserR. Kelly, appearing alongside a sea of his alleged victims in Lifetime’s explosive six-part docuseries,Surviving R. Kelly.
And on Tuesday, he once again discussed Kellyduring an appearance on theTodayshow— this time pointing his finger back at Hollywood for allowing the alleged crimes to persist.
“A lot of us kind of tolerated or looked the other way on that issue for a long time, and a lot of people were being hurt for decades,” said the “Love Me Now” singer. “Welooked away for too long.”
“The stories have been around for decades,” he added.
Leaving Neverlandairs Sunday and Monday at 8 p.m. EST on HBO.
source: people.com
