Wade Robson has clarified whether he burned the leather jacket worn by Michael Jackson in the ‘Thriller’ music video.
Robson is one of two men to accuse the late pop star of sexual abuse in the new documentary Leaving Neverland. Jackson’s estate have denied the allegations.
During the end credits of the four-hour film Robson is seen burning memorabilia that Jackson gave him when he was younger, including a white sequin glove and a jacket similar to that worn by Jackson in the iconic music video.
Speaking to People, Robson confirmed that the jacket was not the same one from the ‘Thriller’ video, but a replica that he had been given by the singer. “The ‘Thriller’ jacket that I burned in the photos was my custom childhood ‘Thriller’ jacket that I used to perform in,” he said. “After disclosing my abuse to my therapist in 2012 I burned some more items as part of my recovery.”
Leaving Neverland premiered in the US earlier this week (March 3 and 4). It will air in the UK on Channel 4 on Wednesday (March 6) and Thursday (7) at 9pm.
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A spokesperson for the broadcaster recently confirmed they would go ahead with airing the documentary, despite the controversy around it. They said Jackson’s estate and fans had “sent messages” about the film but there was “no change in our commitment to airing the documentary.”
Director Dan Reed explained to NME last month why it was important for the film to not gloss over the details of the allegations against Jackson. “We had to establish that this wasn’t close physical contact of an innocent kind,” he said. “This was full-on sexual activity. And that’s why there are these rather brutally graphic scenes described in the film.”
Jackson’s brothers Tito, Marlon, and Jackie, and nephew Taj appeared on CBS This Morning last week (February 27) to discuss the claims featured in Leaving Neverland. “For me, it wasn’t odd,” Taj said of Jackson’s “sleepovers” with children. “To the outside world, yes, I think it can be odd. I mean, I’m not oblivious to what it sounds like. But when you’re actually there in that atmosphere and you’re around it, and you’re watching movies with his kids, it’s very innocent.”