Streisand apologises after Leaving Neverland director slams her comments

From Digital Spy

Note: The following article contains discussion of sexual misconduct allegations that some readers may find upsetting.

Update – March 24: Barbra Streisand has issued a statement apologising for her comments after Leaving Neverland director Dan Reed criticised remarks she made about the two men involved in the documentary.

In a recent interview, Streisand is quoted as saying that any alleged abuse that Wade Robson and James Safechuck experienced "didn’t kill them", prompting Reed to question her on Twitter.

Now, Streisand has apologised "for any pain or misunderstanding" she caused in a new statement.

"I didn’t mean to dismiss the trauma these boys experienced in any way," she said.

"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."

Jackson consistently denied the allegations, while his estate has called the documentary a "tabloid character assassination.

Original – March 22: The director of Michael Jackson documentary Leaving Neverland has criticised Barbra Streisand over comments she made in response to the film.

The two-part documentary details allegations of child sexual abuse against the late singer by two men - Wade Robson and James Safechuck.

In a new interview with The Times, Streisand admitted she "absolutely" believed the two men.

"His sexual needs were his sexual needs, coming from whatever childhood he has or whatever DNA he has," she said.

"You can say 'molested', but those children, as you heard [the grown-up Robson and Safechuck] say, they were thrilled to be there. They both married and they both have children, so it didn’t kill them."

Asked if she was angry with Jackson, Streisand continued: "It’s a combination of feelings. I feel bad for the children. I feel bad for him."

Dan Reed, who directed the documentary, has now hit out at Streisand's comments on social media, writing: "'It didn’t kill them' @BarbraStreisand did you really say that?!"

Meanwhile, Robson recently weighed into the debate on whether fans should stop listening to Jackson's music in the wake of the allegations.

During his lifetime, Jackson was acquitted in a highly-publicised trial in 2005, in which he was accused of child molestation. He continued to deny the allegations up until his death in 2009.

Readers who are affected by the issues raised in this story are encouraged to contact the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000 (www.nspcc.org.uk). Readers in the US are encouraged to contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline on (1-800-422-4453) or the American SPCC (www.americanspcc.org).

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