Barbra Streisand has apologised after facing criticism for comments she made about Michael Jackson and the child abuse allegations against him. In an interview with The Times, Streisand said she believed the allegations but claimed Jackson's actions 'didn't kill' the accusers.
The singer later took to Instagram to express her regret, stating she was 'profoundly sorry for any pain or misunderstanding' caused. She clarified that she did not intend to dismiss the trauma experienced by the two men, Wade Robson and James Safechuck, who feature in the documentary Leaving Neverland.
In her initial interview, Streisand said she 'absolutely' believed Robson and Safechuck, but added: 'His sexual needs were his sexual needs... You can say molested, but those children... they were thrilled to be there. They both married and they both have children, so it didn't kill them.' She also blamed the parents for allowing their children to sleep with Jackson.
Following the backlash, Streisand issued a statement saying she believed the parents were 'victimised and seduced by fame and fantasy'. She emphasised that 'there is no situation or circumstance where it is OK for the innocence of children to be taken advantage of by anyone.'
Michael Jackson's brothers have denied the allegations, which Jackson himself consistently denied before his death in 2009. He was acquitted of child molestation charges in 2005.
