There has always been a lot of drama inside and out of the Jackson Family. Of course, much of it stems from Michael Jackson and the multiple men who've accused him of sexual abuse when they were children. The artist was regularly seen with kids when he was alive, talking openly about the joy that children bring, and inviting them to his Neverland Ranch home for sleepovers. At the time, many deemed these actions inappropriate, and with Leaving Neverland revisiting the case and digging up new details, public perception of the King of Pop has clearly been affected. His famous episode of The Simpsons has been pulled off the air and now, people are recovering old interviews that his family members gave, speaking out against him.
In 1993, LaToya Jackson was estranged from her family when she spoke out against her brother Michael, suggesting that he is a pedophile in a recently-unearthed interview. Speaking with MTV twenty-five years ago, LaToya said, "Michael is my brother, I love him a great deal but I cannot, and will not, be a silent collaborator of his crimes against small, innocent children."
She went on to add, "Now you stop and think for one second and you tell me, what 35-year-old man is going to take a little boy and stay with him for 30 days? And take another boy and stay with him for five days in a room and never leave the room? How many of you out there are 35 years old? How many would take little kids and do that? That are nine, 10, 11 years old? I love my brother but it's wrong. I don't want to see these kids hurt."
At the time, LaToya was not speaking with her family and she later retracted her comments. She has said that her then-husband convinced her to speak out against Michael.
Leaving Neverland has left many fans and celebrities alike in a tight spot -- wondering how to treat this case. Statues of Michael Jackson have been removed and his music is being taken off radio station playlists. While T.I. and Mo'nique have come to his defense, Oprah seemingly sided with the alleged victims by hosting the After Neverland interview.
Where do you stand?
