He's a 12-year-old superstar with thousands of people shrieking and screaming. The hurt was so ingrained in each of these men, in fact, that neither of them were willingor ableto accept what had happened to them until they had sons of their own. She was referencing the naysayers on social media who were alreadybefore even watching the two-part documentarydiscrediting Robson and Safechuck, calling them liars because neither of them had spoken up when they were younger about what they say happened to them. TOURE: I don't think anybody, even like the Iowa housewives, were saying, you know they're not sleeping together. ", In 1993, controversy about Michael's skin color was at an all-time high. MJ: Your're always welcome. The interview with Jackson took place at his huge Neverland Ranch, complete with its own amusement park and zoo. His appearance had changed so much since he was a child star that there was much speculation about the work he'd had done. LEMON (on camera): If someone asked you to sing a tribute to Michael Jackson at a service or whatever, what do you think he'd sing? LEMON (voice-over): It was June 13, 2005. Are you a virgin? Michael sighed, laughed and replied, How could you ask me that question? Ultimately, he sidestepped a direct answer with an odd response. Plus, more developments in the Michael Jackson death investigation. xD There are many people in the past who have done many things to themselves and they're not talked about like my brother is. LEMON: But behind the image of a happy family and their rags to riches story, there was something else -- incredibly hard work, and a father who pushed his children. Meantime, the Reverend Jesse Jackson tells CNN the Jackson family wants answers. MICHAEL JACKSON: I would do my schooling for three hours with the tutor, and right after that I'd go to the recording studio and record. And part of my concern about Michael was the fact that he always seemed to be suffering from some form of ailment or infirmity. GORDY: When she told me about another kids' group I said, wait a minute, I got all these other stars. LEMON: That documentary triggered bombshell news that thrust the fated pop star back into the spotlight. How many plastic surgery procedures have you undergone? Very, very few, Michael replied. She arranges the interviews in advance, and they are very prefabricated, but then she has the [gift] of naturalness, of making herself seem like one more member of the audience, even though she is not. LEMON: An audition seen in this video from a documentary produced by Michael Jackson. And we were sitting very close and he actually collapsed on my shoulder. LEMON: Bahrain and back again. A year later, the couple had a baby daughter, Paris Michael Katherine. They are mourning in Gary, Indiana, too, Michael's hometown. ", Michael's relationship with his father, Joe Jackson, has made plenty of headlines throughout the years. With all of the pieces and details put together chronologically across four hours, Leaving Neverland brings to life a man who groomed his victims psychologically into simultaneously loving him and fearing him so steadfastly that they never accepted that they were abused themselvesmuch less wanted to tell anyone about it. Long-awaited, the buzz was big. This is a UK airing of the famous interview of Michael Jackson by Oprah Winfrey in 1993. Months later, Jackson partnered with Lionel Richie on an effort that was more warmly received. It is much bigger than any one person. Oprah's interview with Michael is one of the most-watched TV events in history, with 90 million people tuning in to watch and more than 7.8million catching up on the interview on YouTube since . LEMON: Coming up, scandal rocks the gates of Neverland. There is not a single thing or person in popular culture that is worth not protecting and believing our children. KENNY ORTEGA, CHOREOGRAPHER: He was so excited about this project, and so invested. NORRIS: What a moment that was in pop culture history when he moon-walked across the stage there. You heard things from him that you've never heard before. LEMON: A life and legend cut short. DE PASSE: I was asked to come to see this group. JACKSON: This one, this one -- CASTRO: Almost pathological in his spending ways. And I know that it tore him to pieces. HIATT: At the same time he was announcing these shows, he also made sure to say these are the final shows. And immediately I was up all night trying to think of the type of songs that would create excitement among people. This time, she wants to speak candidly about the intimate, personal details that made her relationship with Michael as complicated and misunderstood as it was. Why? After all, much of my aforementioned childhood also included walking by the TV and seeing headlines with accusations against my favorite pop star, first in 1993 and later, a much-publicized trial in 2004. It would make me sad that I would have to go and work instead. DE PASSE: I saw these kids, and they were unbelievable. This is a moment in time that allows us to see this societal corruption that's like a scourge on humanity. I warned them. In 1994, Michael married Lisa Marie Presley. Michael showed Oprah his Neverland Ranch, and once they settled in the theater, he talked about his social work and his interest in helping children. LEMON: The Los Angeles Coroner's Office said they would need toxicology tests before determining the cause of death. JACKSON: I'll be performing the songs my fans want to hear. MESEREAU: I think this trial and this entire case took a terrible toll on him emotionally and physically. KING: Yes, but -- JERMAINE JACKSON: His whole thing is, if there's something that you feel that you want to change, and then you do that. It just made me very, very, very sad. His cheeks were sunken in. And it was just kind of disgusting and silly. Have you ever had suicidal tendencies? Whats a 36-year-old man doing sleeping with a 12-year-old boy? Have you ever had sexual intercourse with a child? The rest of the story is familiar: Bashirs 2003 interview, in which Jackson again claimed to share his bed with children, prompted an investigation and then a trial for the sexual abuse of a young boy who appeared with him on the show (Jackson was found not guilty). I know the creator will go, but his work survives. ORTEGA: It was awesome to watch him. "I love my father, but I don't know him. The King of Pop was now a king in debt; a lavish lifestyle, and legal woes led him into near financial ruin. The Jackson 5 exploded on the charts. It's sort of like the anti- King Midas, like everything he wants to do just gets screwed up. ETHAN SMITH, "WALL STREET JOURNAL": After the trial, he had spent a lot of money on lawyers, and had very little coming in. Similarly, Safechuck recalls meeting Jackson while filming a Pepsi commercial; they developed a similar working relationship that morphed into sleepovers at the ranch. According to television analyst Borja Tern, Oprah really knows how to create an atmosphere. Like what are we doing? It is strange to see Michael in the absence of screaming and crowds; he seemed removed from his own celebrity. Diane: Glad you're here. SMITH: He backed out of the auction. No word on where they were taken. As Jackson's marriage began to crumble, so did his career. Followed by news helicopters and a convoy of cars, Jackson rushed from Neverland Ranch to the courthouse. In this never-before-heard interview from 2012, Emmy and Tony-award-winning actress, Cicely Tyson explains the surprising story of how she found her calling, shares behind-the-scenes history of her most iconic roles and reveals the biggest life lessons she's learned. But some wondered whether he could pull off a strenuous 50- concert tour. The live interview, which took place before any abuse allegations were made against him, covered . Ellen: Oh, thank you. This was recorded on VHS in the 90's. Show more Show more While never forgetting any of the sexual details that happened between us, but having no understanding that it was abusehaving no concept in my mind that anything about Michael could ever badeverything that Michael did was right to me for so many years." We may earn commission from the links on this page. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, but he's not responding to anything. LEMON: In July, 1984, the Jackson 5 reunited in a flurry of publicity. And let's not forget that this wasn't just any man who was playing psychological tricks on pre-pubescent mindsthis was a global superstar, perhaps the most well-known name on the entire planet. Is it true that you sleep in an oxygen chamber to stay eternally young? Did you buy the Elephant Mans remains? Is it true that you wanted a white actor to play Michael Jackson as a child in a Pepsi commercial? Winfrey went through a litany of crazy headlines, all of which Jackson denied. viewers (millions) Series Air date Network Ref(s) 1: Michael Jackson: Oprah Winfrey: 62.30 "Michael Jackson Talks . Oprah, who referenced her own experiences with sexual abuse as a child during the interview, added that when you're as young as Robson and Safechuck were when they allege that Jackson abused them7 and 10you "don't have the language to explain what is happening to you." She explained: No barrier stood before this man that he didn't challenge, that he didn't break down, that he didn't tear down. It was the last time the public viewed the artist not mired in disturbing allegations. DR. HAROLD, BURSZTAJN, HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL: The fact that he has spent as much time as he has changing his face, changing his appearance, it's reminiscent of patients who suffer from body dysmorphic disorder, which is the condition where when a patient looks at themselves in the mirror, they just hate what they see. Michael went from reacting to Oprahs questions with some trepidation to carrying most of the conversation. Wonderful., Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAS USA Edition, Sign up to EL PAS In English Edition bulletin, If you want to follow all the latest news without any limits, subscribe to EL PAS for just 1 the first month. The unprecedented live event, which took place before any allegations were made about sexual abuse, drew a worldwide audience of 90 million people. Almost all of the most watched TV interviews are from the United States, except one from BBC One. Before Oprah's interview with Robson, 36, and Safechuck, 40, HBO screened all four hours of Leaving Neverland. Around 62 million viewers in the United States and 90 million worldwide watched the interview live, although some estimates, such as the one offered by Winfreys biographer, Kitty Kelley, claim it was higher at 100 million. (I should note that for the record, Leaving Neverland was in production long before Surviving R. Kelly aired.). Not that the trial was going to end badly, but that something would happen to Michael. This content is imported from poll. Disfruta de nuestras lecciones personalizadas, breves y divertidas. Why can't we create the next instrument?" When he answered no, she commented that she wouldnt be either. That's all tonight at 10:00 p.m. Eastern, right here on CNN, live from Los Angeles. SMITH: Neverland, which cost him around 19 million dollars in 1987, had a staff of about 150 at its peak, and all these carnival rides, exotic animals which required full-time veterinary care. Michael Jackson and Oprah Winfrey during the high-profile interview at Neverland Ranch on February 10, 1993; according to some estimates, the broadcast drew nearly 100 million viewers worldwide. LEMON: Michael had another money-making trick up his sleeve. A decade later, Jackson was so dependent on prescription drugs that he had to interrupt a world tour to go into a drug treatment program. That's a lot of dates. "Thriller" broke records, with seven top ten singles. I think he was responding to his fans by, at least showing them his face. (COMMERCIAL BREAK) LEMON: In November 1982, 24-year-old Michael Jackson released "Thriller." That is why to escape death, I attempt to bind my soul to my work. LEMON: Author and self-proclaimed psychic Uri Geller was a friend of Jackson's. .css-ssumvd{display:block;font-family:Gilroy,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;font-size:1.0625rem;font-weight:bold;line-height:1.25;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-ssumvd:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-ssumvd{letter-spacing:0rem;margin-top:0.9375rem;}}Gayle King Interviews Angela Bassett, Gayle Says March Is a Good Month for TV Lovers, Sheryl Lee Ralphs Definition of True Love, What We Know About The Little Mermaid Remake, Oprah Congratulates Kimmel on 20 Years of His Show, Nikole Hannah-Jones on "The 1619 Project", Ta-Nehisi Coates on the Wakanda Forever Podcast, Oprah Is Acting in Tyler Perrys Next Netflix Film. Where there is smoke, there is fire. The Winfrey-Jackson interview was the 101st highest-rated show in television history. OPRAH IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF HARPO, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2023 HARPO PRODUCTIONS, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. A child's understanding of "abuse". Sign up for the oprah.com live your best life newsletter, Get more stories like this delivered to your inbox. LEMON: It was a triumph for Jackson as a musician and as a humanitarian. JACKSON: Yes. In 2002, he incited world-wide outrage when he dangled his newborn son, Prince Michael II, from the balcony of a Berlin hotel. Oprah Interviews Michael Jackson Accusers, Leaving Neverland Documentary Finally Convinced Me to Let Go of Michael Jackson, 30 Happy Songs to Play When You Want to Feel Good, Racial Bias in Healthcare Is a National Epidemic. She asked the unthinkable in an hour-long television special, which portrayed an eccentric but vulnerable star. transcript. Have you ever been in love? Oprah pressed on. In fact, you know, there were nights where you looked up there and it was like he was timeless, ageless. The pop star's eccentric behavior hardly deterred the album's record-breaking five number ones. Jackson's personal physician, Conrad Murray, who's believed to have been with the singer when he died, has hired an attorney. She explained: "Here's the reason why I'm here. He looked horrible. LEMON: It would take a year before a jury was seated and the trial began. BROCKMAN: I recognized that, you know, this is Michael Jackson. This man through his music actually like made a change in the world. Jackson Interview Transcript By Ellen Crean December 28, 2003 / 12:38 PM / CBS For most of his life, Michael Jackson has been in the spotlight, most recently because of what has been. on the Internet. Watching the two interviews back to back reveals an undeniable and astonishing fact: the biggest pop star the world had ever seen had become a completely different person in the intervening 14 years. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: My brother, the legendary king of pop, Michael Jackson, passed away on Thursday, June 25th, 2009 at 2:26 p.m. And he had this towering 270 million dollar debt. A 13-year-old boy filed a lawsuit accusing the singer of sexually molesting him. These are not men who are fame hungry, or chasing money, or seeking to bring down a dead man. Jacksons album Dangerous, which had been falling down the charts in the two years after its release, became a top-10 bestseller again. For instance, Leave Me Alone, from his 1987 album Bad, was the first song in what became something of a subgenre in his musical oeuvre: Michael lamenting media harassment and responding to it with music. 90 million people tuned in for the sit-down chat at the King of Pop's Neverland Valley Ranch in Los Olivos, California. Search the history of over 797 billion It was just incredible. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. The unprecedented live event drew a worldwide audience of 90 million people. Did he ever hit you? Yes. Why? He was very strict; just his look alone terrified me. web pages He was very placid. Id like to, Michael replied, apparently forgetting that he just implied that he was in a romantic relationship with Brooke Shields. And he's not breathing. Kelly's recent indictment for 10 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse. And Emmanuel Lewis was right there, underlying, like this is not sexual at all. BRIAN OXMAN, ATTORNEY: I've talked to this family about it. Cinco sedes disponibles, Licenciatura Ejecutiva en Derecho. BOTEACH: I said, look on the flip side of that. Michael Jackson Talks . But she's clearly like, whoa, what are you doing? LEMON: Physician Deepak Chopra, a personal friend, said he knew Jackson was taking narcotic painkillers. LEMON: It is Chopra's belief that prescription drug abuse was Jackson's downfall. From the "Oprah: After Neverland" filming in New York. There's a lot of mysterious phases of Michael Jackson's career, but the last three are particularly mysterious. "It certainly was going to be the most watched interview I had ever done. NORRIS: From the iconic look to the moonwalk to the glove, the red jacket and the zippers and glasses and the white socks.