Barbra Streisand Apologizes for Michael Jackson Abuse Statement

"I am profoundly sorry," she said in a statement.

Singer-songwriter Barbra Streisand attends Tribeca Talks: Storytellers during 2017 Tribeca Film Festival at BMCC Tribeca PAC on April 29, 2017 in New York City. Streisand recently released a single slamming Donald Trump. (Photo by Gilbert Carrasquillo/FilmMagic)
Singer-songwriter Barbra Streisand attends Tribeca Talks: Storytellers during 2017 Tribeca Film Festival at BMCC Tribeca PAC on April 29, 2017 in New York City. Streisand recently released a single slamming Donald Trump. (Photo by Gilbert Carrasquillo/FilmMagic)
FilmMagic

Vocal legend Barbra Streisand is singing a different tune after backlash over her comments about Michael Jackson and the Leaving Neverland documentary.

Streisand told the Evening Standard that although she believes both men – Wade Robson and James Safechuck – who were just children at the time of the alleged abuse, but thinks there’s more to it.

“His sexual needs were his sexual needs, coming from whatever childhood he has or whatever DNA he has,” she told the Evening Standard. “You can say ‘molested,’ but those children, as you heard say [the grown-up Robson and Safechuck], they were thrilled to be there. They both married and they both have children, so it didn’t kill them.”

The actress and singer has now apologized and offered more of an explanation for her original comments: “To be crystal clear, there is no situation or circumstance where it is OK for the innocence of children to be taken advantage of by anyone,” the singer’s statement reads. “The stories these two young men shared were painful to hear, and I feel nothing but sympathy for them. The single most important role of being a parent is to protect their children. It’s clear that the parents of the two young men were also victimized and seduced by fame and fantasy.”

The “Don’t Rain On My Parade” singer also took to Instagram to apologize saying she feels “deep remorse” for her comments and that both men know that she respects them for “speaking their truth.”

The InsideHook Newsletter.

News, advice and insights for the most interesting person in the room.