Barbra Streisand 'profoundly sorry for any pain' Michael Jackson abuse comments caused
Days after the icon commented on the alleged victims of Michael Jackson featured in the HBO documentary 'Leaving Neverland,' Barbra Streisand is apologizing to anyone she may have offended.
The legendary singer was in hot water over the weekend after commenting on the two alleged victims -- James Safechuck and Wade Robson -- who spoke out in the film, adding that since they married years after the alleged abuse depicted in the film, "it didn’t kill them."
Now, she is speaking out and offering up a mea culpa for her choice of words.
"I am profoundly sorry for any pain or misunderstanding I caused by not choosing my words more carefully about Michael Jackson and his victims, because the words as printed do not reflect my true feelings," she said on her official website and Twitter.
She added, "I didn’t mean to dismiss the trauma these boys experienced in any way. Like all survivors of sexual assault, they will have to carry this for the rest of their lives. I feel deep remorse and I hope that James and Wade know that I truly respect and admire them for speaking their truth."
In an interview published Friday, Streisand received instant backlash after speaking to the The Times of London about the controversial film.
In addition to saying the alleged abuse didn't kill them, she added, "You can say 'molested,' but those children, as you heard say, they were thrilled to be there." She also blamed parents for allowing their kids to spend the night at Jackson's home. Many took to social media and beyond to call her comments victim shaming.
Ever since it debuted on HBO earlier this month, "Leaving Neverland" has sparked conversation and strong opinions nationwide about the life and the legacy of the late Jackson.
In the controversial film, Safechuck and Robson detail alleged child sexual abuse by the iconic singer, who died in 2009 at the age of 50. The duo said they met Jackson at the ages of 10 and 7, respectively.
The Jackson estate filed a lawsuit against HBO, claiming that "the Jackson Estate will seek all damages proximately caused by HBO’s reprehensible disparagement of Michael Jackson."
The Jackson family also released a statement, which reads in part, "Michael Jackson is our brother and son. Michael is not here to defend himself, otherwise these allegations would not have been made ... The facts don't lie -- people do. Michael Jackson was and will always be 100 percent innocent of these false allegations."
