Words don't exist to describe the immense love, empathy, and grief I've had in my life toward Michael Jackson, and everything in his own life. My uncle first gave me a cassette tape of MJ's music in 1988, and to this day I have all his albums on CD from "Off the Wall" to "Invincible". There is no denying he was the absolute best at his craft, pouring his soul into every song and performance. But while that success gave him a worldwide fanbase, it also made him almost as many enemies...especially in the American tabloid press. Their insane jealousy still has no limit - 16 years after his passing, they continue to tear him down. I think a big reason is because he wasn't content to simply represent his own ethnicity - he wanted to embrace all people, and bring them together. Bruce Lee had a similar goal with martial arts, and look at how he was treated. It's a sad fact of the human race - most of us do not like substantial change, especially when it's unexpected or challenges our prejudices.
For the record, I personally believe it is virtually impossible that Michael ever molested anyone; the claims made by multiple accusers and their parents vary too widely, regarding time and place. Tom Mesereau actually brought Wade Robson as his first defense witness, which was one step in an eventual not guilty verdict 14 times over. Robson's story only changed many years later, after he was denied a role as a dancer in a tribute concert for Michael. There's also the Cascio family, who knew Michael ever since the Thriller era and most of them remained close to him (though brothers Frank & Eddie had a personal split of their own at one point). Macaulay Culkin and Chris Tucker have remained two of Michael's loudest defenders since his passing, and Aphrodite Jones wrote a wonderful book about the trial called "Michael Jackson Conspiracy" - I think any seeker of truth regarding MJ should read it.
God willing, I will be seeing this movie opening night in a packed theater - I don't care if I have to pay for a long cab ride each way to make it happen (Uber's been quiet on helping me out). I just want all involved to tell the truth about who he was, not sugarcoating or demonizing him in any way.
