Director of ‘Leaving Neverland’ Claims Michael Jackson Was “Worse Than Jeffrey Epstein,” Fans Push Back
Filmmaker Dan Reed has sparked strong debate after making new comments about Michael Jackson and the ongoing public discussion around allegations connected to the late pop star.
Reed, who directed the documentary Leaving Neverland, spoke in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter as interest in Jackson’s legacy grows again due to a new biopic about the singer.
He criticized what he sees as public reluctance to fully engage with the abuse allegations linked to Jackson. Reed said many fans focus only on the music and ignore the accusations that have followed the singer for decades.
He said, “It says that people don’t care that he was a child molester. Literally, people just don’t care.” He also argued that it would take extremely strong evidence to change public opinion at this point.
Reed also responded to comments made by filmmaker Antoine Fuqua, who is directing a recent biographical film about Jackson. Fuqua had suggested in another interview that some accusations against Jackson may have been motivated by money.
Reed rejected that idea and said he found the argument unfair. He also questioned the motivation behind the new film and those involved in its production, saying financial interest plays a big role in projects based on Jackson’s life.
He added, “How can you tell an authentic story about Michael Jackson without ever mentioning the fact that he was seriously accused of being a child molester?” He also said that leaving out those claims creates an incomplete picture of the singer’s history.
Reed went further, arguing that public memory and media coverage often avoid directly addressing the allegations. He believes financial and cultural pressure linked to Jackson’s global popularity influences how the story is told.
In another strong statement, he said, “And just completely ignore the fact that this guy was worse than Jeffrey Epstein.” His comments immediately triggered backlash online, especially from Jackson supporters.
He also defended Wade Robson and James Safechuck, who are central figures in Leaving Neverland. Reed said they have not earned money from their claims in the way some critics suggest, and explained that legal compensation only comes after a successful court ruling.
The discussion comes as the new Jackson biopic performs strongly at the box office. Critics and audiences have been divided over how the film handles past allegations, with some saying it focuses too much on his career while others argue it avoids difficult parts of his history.
Jackson faced multiple allegations during his life, including a high-profile civil case in the 1990s and a criminal trial in the 2000s, where he was ultimately acquitted. He died in 2009 at the age of 50. Later civil cases related to new accusations were dismissed in court on technical grounds without a full ruling on their claims.
This topic shows how divided public opinion still is around Michael Jackson’s legacy. Some people separate the music from the allegations, while others believe the accusations should always be part of the conversation. It is a sensitive issue that continues to trigger strong reactions on both sides. What do you think about this debate and how his legacy should be discussed today? Share your thoughts in the comments.
