Content Warning: This article discusses sexual assault. If you or someone you know are affected by the following story, you are not alone. To speak to someone, you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14, or 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732.
US musician Sheryl Crow has touched upon the ongoing Michael Jackson controversy, noting she saw “really strange” things while touring with the iconic musician.
For quite some time now, there has been much said about the legacy of Michael Jackson thanks to the controversial Leaving Neverland documentary.
The documentary itself focuses around claims of child sex abuse made against Jackson, giving particular attention to the allegations made by Jimmy Safechuck and Brisbane-born Wade Robson.
While Jackson’s estate has called it nothing but a “tabloid character assassination”, it seems as though the allegations made have carried some weight, with radio stations around the world dropping Jackson’s music in response, and even his iconic episode of The Simpsons being pulled from streaming services.
Now, Sheryl Crow has offered her take on things, discussing how her experience with Jackson caused her to see some “really strange” things.
Check out Sheryl Crow in the ‘Dirty Diana’ video from Michael Jackson:
Back in 1987, Michael Jackson kicked off his 18-month Bad world tour. His first solo concert tour, the trek would end up grossing $125 million, and even became the highest-grossing tour of the 1980s.
Throughout the tour, Jackson was joined by Sheryl Crow, who served as a backing singer and appeared in the ‘Dirty Diana’ video, while Jimmy Safechuck also served as a dancer during some of the tour.
Speaking to The Telegraph recently, Crow revealed that while her experience on the tour often left her feeling starstruck, she does recall seeing some things she still wonders about to this day.
“I haven’t seen the documentary and I don’t want to see it,” she explained. “I was around for some things that I thought were really strange and I had a lot of questions about.”
Earlier this month, Sheryl Crow took part in another interview with The Guardian in which she recalled some of the thoughts she had about then-nine-year-old Jimmy Safechuck while on the lengthy tour.
“He was a great kid and the whole time he was with us – which was the better half of an 18-month tour – I always wondered: ‘What in the world are his parents doing?’, you know?”
In related news, fellow accuser Wade Robson spoke to TheWrap, criticising MTV’s decision to keep Michael Jackson’s name on their Video Vanguard Award.
“I don’t personally need MTV to do one thing or the other, but as child abuse survivors all over the world watch to see whether society will support them or not if they have the courage to come forward, in that regard, it’s an unfortunate choice,” Robson explained.
Check out the trailer for Leaving Neverland:
