Six years after Leaving Neverland shocked audiences with the harrowing allegations of child sexual abuse against Michael Jackson, Wade Robson and James Safechuck are once again stepping forward to share their stories. The two men, who first detailed their claims in the controversial 2019 HBO documentary, will now revisit their experiences in a new project titled Surviving Michael Jackson, set to air on the U.K.’s Channel 4 on March 18.
As reported by Variety on February 20, this latest documentary will serve as a follow-up to Leaving Neverland, continuing the discussion around Robson and Safechuck’s allegations. The men previously described, in disturbing detail, how the late pop superstar allegedly abused them as children at his Neverland Ranch in California. Jackson’s estate has consistently denied these claims, maintaining that the accusations are false and driven by financial motives.
This time, however, HBO is not involved in the project. In 2019, the Jackson estate sued the network for $100 million, citing a violation of a decades-old non-disparagement clause tied to a 1992 concert film from Jackson’s Dangerous World Tour. The legal battle was sent to private arbitration, where it remained unresolved as of September 2024.
Directed by Dan Reed, who also helmed Leaving Neverland, Surviving Michael Jackson will focus not only on the alleged abuse but also on the impact of going public with such claims. Robson and Safechuck have openly spoken about the challenges they’ve faced in the years since Leaving Neverland aired, including intense public scrutiny, online backlash, and ongoing legal struggles. Robson previously described the experience as both traumatic and therapeutic, acknowledging the emotional toll it has taken on him.
While Robson and Safechuck are among the most well-known accusers, they are not the only ones who have made allegations against Jackson. Throughout his lifetime and even after his 2009 death, multiple individuals have accused him of sexual misconduct. However, Jackson was never convicted or found legally responsible for any claims. His estate continues to stand by his innocence, labeling the allegations as baseless attempts to tarnish his legacy.
As Surviving Michael Jackson prepares to hit screens, it is expected to reignite the heated debate surrounding one of the most polarizing figures in pop culture history.
