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Leaving Neverland: Is Michael Jackson's legacy ruined? | Leaving Neverland: Is Michael Jackson's legacy ruined? |
(about 2 hours later) | |
For decades, Michael Jackson has been called "the King of Pop". He's one of the biggest superstars of all time. | For decades, Michael Jackson has been called "the King of Pop". He's one of the biggest superstars of all time. |
But his legacy has been called into question after a documentary called Leaving Neverland was shown on TV in the US and UK this week. | But his legacy has been called into question after a documentary called Leaving Neverland was shown on TV in the US and UK this week. |
In the programme, James Safechuck and Wade Robson claim they were abused by the singer when they were children. | In the programme, James Safechuck and Wade Robson claim they were abused by the singer when they were children. |
Michael Jackson's family has denied the allegations, but the claims have cast a huge cloud over his name. | Michael Jackson's family has denied the allegations, but the claims have cast a huge cloud over his name. |
So has his legacy been tarnished forever? | So has his legacy been tarnished forever? |
Innocent or guilty? | Innocent or guilty? |
The allegations made in the documentary undoubtedly left many feeling uncomfortable and disturbed. | The allegations made in the documentary undoubtedly left many feeling uncomfortable and disturbed. |
People have been left shocked by the level of detail the two men gave about their time with Michael Jackson and the abuse. | People have been left shocked by the level of detail the two men gave about their time with Michael Jackson and the abuse. |
But whether the singer is innocent or guilty has divided opinion - both among celebrities and viewers. | But whether the singer is innocent or guilty has divided opinion - both among celebrities and viewers. |
Some people say the documentary shows the King of Pop was a paedophile. | Some people say the documentary shows the King of Pop was a paedophile. |
But others have defended him, and still believe he is innocent. | But others have defended him, and still believe he is innocent. |
Digital marketing firm SEMrush analysed nearly 30,000 tweets that used #michaeljackson and #leavingneverland between 6 and 8 March. | Digital marketing firm SEMrush analysed nearly 30,000 tweets that used #michaeljackson and #leavingneverland between 6 and 8 March. |
Here are some of its findings: | Here are some of its findings: |
Olga Andrienko, head of global marketing at SEMrush said: "Leaving Neverland moved people to discuss the documentary openly on social channels in large numbers. | Olga Andrienko, head of global marketing at SEMrush said: "Leaving Neverland moved people to discuss the documentary openly on social channels in large numbers. |
"Almost three times as many people were positive about the documentary than were backing the hashtag #michaeljackson after it aired." | "Almost three times as many people were positive about the documentary than were backing the hashtag #michaeljackson after it aired." |
Paul Blanchard, founder of the PR company Right Angles, says it's too early to tell what lasting impact the revelations will have on Michael Jackson's legacy. | Paul Blanchard, founder of the PR company Right Angles, says it's too early to tell what lasting impact the revelations will have on Michael Jackson's legacy. |
"This is the Brexit of pop music. People will be more divided than ever. The longer it goes on the more alienated and divided people are. | "This is the Brexit of pop music. People will be more divided than ever. The longer it goes on the more alienated and divided people are. |
"As we've got nearer to Brexit people have become even more polarised and even more opposed to each other and not come together. | "As we've got nearer to Brexit people have become even more polarised and even more opposed to each other and not come together. |
"I think this will happen with Jackson's legacy. For those who are starting to turn off him they will become more entrenched in that view. | "I think this will happen with Jackson's legacy. For those who are starting to turn off him they will become more entrenched in that view. |
"For those that think he's a victim of blackmail and these people are trying to get money out of him - they will continue to think that ever more strongly." | "For those that think he's a victim of blackmail and these people are trying to get money out of him - they will continue to think that ever more strongly." |
What has the Jackson family said? | What has the Jackson family said? |
Michael Jackson's family has strongly denied the claims made against him and says the allegations are about getting money from the singer's estate. | Michael Jackson's family has strongly denied the claims made against him and says the allegations are about getting money from the singer's estate. |
His nephew Taj Jackson spoke to Newsbeat on Wednesday to defend his uncle and said the singer would be "crying" over the allegations. | His nephew Taj Jackson spoke to Newsbeat on Wednesday to defend his uncle and said the singer would be "crying" over the allegations. |
But other high profile family members - such as his mother, and sister Janet Jackson - haven't addressed the claims. | But other high profile family members - such as his mother, and sister Janet Jackson - haven't addressed the claims. |
His daughter Paris has kept a low profile since the documentary was shown and hasn't spoken about it directly. | His daughter Paris has kept a low profile since the documentary was shown and hasn't spoken about it directly. |
But on Thursday she sent a tweet in which she told her followers to keep calm, saying: "Y'all take my life more seriously than I do." | But on Thursday she sent a tweet in which she told her followers to keep calm, saying: "Y'all take my life more seriously than I do." |
She went on to say: "I know injustices are frustrating and it's easy to get worked up. but reacting with a calm mind usually is more logical than acting out of rage and also... it feels better to mellow out." | She went on to say: "I know injustices are frustrating and it's easy to get worked up. but reacting with a calm mind usually is more logical than acting out of rage and also... it feels better to mellow out." |
Michael Jackson's estate is suing HBO, which showed the documentary in the US, for $100m (£77m) - claiming the film breaches a non-disparagement clause in an old contract. | Michael Jackson's estate is suing HBO, which showed the documentary in the US, for $100m (£77m) - claiming the film breaches a non-disparagement clause in an old contract. |
Will his music be muted? | Will his music be muted? |
Some radio stations across the world - including in Australia, New Zealand and Canada - have stopped playing Michael Jackson's music. | Some radio stations across the world - including in Australia, New Zealand and Canada - have stopped playing Michael Jackson's music. |
Leon Wratt, the boss of MediaWorks - which owns nine radio stations across New Zealand - said the company is guided by the audience and wanted to "err on the side of caution". | Leon Wratt, the boss of MediaWorks - which owns nine radio stations across New Zealand - said the company is guided by the audience and wanted to "err on the side of caution". |
But radio stations in the UK haven't taken such a public stand. | But radio stations in the UK haven't taken such a public stand. |
The BBC says it doesn't ban artists and Michael Jackson could be played on its radio stations. | The BBC says it doesn't ban artists and Michael Jackson could be played on its radio stations. |
A spokeswoman said: "We consider each piece of music on its merits, and decisions on what we play on different networks are always made with relevant audiences and context in mind." | A spokeswoman said: "We consider each piece of music on its merits, and decisions on what we play on different networks are always made with relevant audiences and context in mind." |
While Global, which owns stations including Heart, Capital, Classic FM, Smooth and Capital XTRA, says it "never comments on editorial (playlist) decisions". | While Global, which owns stations including Heart, Capital, Classic FM, Smooth and Capital XTRA, says it "never comments on editorial (playlist) decisions". |
Scott Bryan, who hosts the Must Watch BBC podcast, says he deleted 15 Michael Jackson songs from his iPhone after seeing the documentary. | Scott Bryan, who hosts the Must Watch BBC podcast, says he deleted 15 Michael Jackson songs from his iPhone after seeing the documentary. |
"A couple of days later I was in a cafe working on my laptop and by sheer coincidence it was playing Michael Jackson. | "A couple of days later I was in a cafe working on my laptop and by sheer coincidence it was playing Michael Jackson. |
"I had to put my headphones on and listen to some other music because I couldn't concentrate on what I was doing because I found it a little bit uncomfortable." | "I had to put my headphones on and listen to some other music because I couldn't concentrate on what I was doing because I found it a little bit uncomfortable." |
But Radio 1 listener Christian, 26, from Colchester says he thinks people should still listen to Michael Jackson. | But Radio 1 listener Christian, 26, from Colchester says he thinks people should still listen to Michael Jackson. |
He told Newsbeat: "He is the King of Pop. I can't even begin to imagine how many musicians have considered him a role model. | He told Newsbeat: "He is the King of Pop. I can't even begin to imagine how many musicians have considered him a role model. |
"He's had some massive singles and massive albums. So we need more and more generations to keep thinking about where the music has come from in the past." | "He's had some massive singles and massive albums. So we need more and more generations to keep thinking about where the music has come from in the past." |
Will his cultural legacy be erased? | Will his cultural legacy be erased? |
An episode of The Simpsons featuring the voice of Michael Jackson is being pulled from streaming services and streaming channels. | An episode of The Simpsons featuring the voice of Michael Jackson is being pulled from streaming services and streaming channels. |
The singer voiced a character called Leon Kompowsky, who meets Homer in a psychiatric hospital, in an episode which originally aired in 1991. | The singer voiced a character called Leon Kompowsky, who meets Homer in a psychiatric hospital, in an episode which originally aired in 1991. |
"It feels clearly the only choice to make," executive producer James L Brooks told The Wall Street Journal. | "It feels clearly the only choice to make," executive producer James L Brooks told The Wall Street Journal. |
He added: "I'm against book burning of any kind. But this is our book, and we're allowed to take out a chapter." | He added: "I'm against book burning of any kind. But this is our book, and we're allowed to take out a chapter." |
A statue of Michael Jackson has also been removed from Britain's National Football Museum. | A statue of Michael Jackson has also been removed from Britain's National Football Museum. |
Thriller Live - the musical which centres around Michael Jackson's music - has refused to comment on whether the documentary is impacting its shows. | Thriller Live - the musical which centres around Michael Jackson's music - has refused to comment on whether the documentary is impacting its shows. |
It's been running on the West End for 10 years and the website is continuing to take bookings for the show until the end of September. | It's been running on the West End for 10 years and the website is continuing to take bookings for the show until the end of September. |
There's also a Cirque du Soleil production inspired by the singer on the go and a Broadway show based on his music in the pipeline. | There's also a Cirque du Soleil production inspired by the singer on the go and a Broadway show based on his music in the pipeline. |
Taj Jackson told Newsbeat the allegations are "hurtful" but believes they won't have a lasting effect on his uncle's legacy. | Taj Jackson told Newsbeat the allegations are "hurtful" but believes they won't have a lasting effect on his uncle's legacy. |
"I think it's temporary in terms of the stain. First of all I believe the truth will come out," he said. | "I think it's temporary in terms of the stain. First of all I believe the truth will come out," he said. |
But PR expert Andy Barr, managing editor of 10 Yetis, thinks the fallout from the documentary will leave his brand in "tatters" in the longer term. | But PR expert Andy Barr, managing editor of 10 Yetis, thinks the fallout from the documentary will leave his brand in "tatters" in the longer term. |
"I think the business people behind some of his upcoming new ventures will be looking at this closely and looking at whether his brand is on the verge of becoming toxic. | "I think the business people behind some of his upcoming new ventures will be looking at this closely and looking at whether his brand is on the verge of becoming toxic. |
"With him not being around to defend himself and his family not really being able to put anything out that is positive I can't see it improving for him long term. | "With him not being around to defend himself and his family not really being able to put anything out that is positive I can't see it improving for him long term. |
"I think it's just going to get worse and worse." | "I think it's just going to get worse and worse." |
Andy says thanks to the internet, these allegations will always float around Michael Jackson's name no matter what. | Andy says thanks to the internet, these allegations will always float around Michael Jackson's name no matter what. |
"I'm a guy who has grown up listening to his music and have three young kids and I have to think do I want my kids listening to this music knowing the connotations of what's gone on. | |
"I think future generations will come to actually forget him and he'll fall to the wayside a bit." | "I think future generations will come to actually forget him and he'll fall to the wayside a bit." |
Follow Newsbeat on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. | Follow Newsbeat on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. |
Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 every weekday on BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra - if you miss us you can listen back here. | Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 every weekday on BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra - if you miss us you can listen back here. |
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