Did Oprah Winfrey Betray Michael Jackson? The Ongoing Controversy
Oprah Winfrey and Michael Jackson once seemed like an unlikely yet powerful pairing. Winfrey, one of the most influential media figures, conducted an interview with Jackson in 1993 that became one of the most-watched in television history.
However, in recent years, this relationship has been marred by accusations that Oprah betrayed Jackson, especially following his death.
Fans, family members, and even public figures have pointed fingers, accusing Oprah of contributing to tarnishing Jackson’s legacy. But did Oprah really betray Michael Jackson? Let’s delve into the details.
The iconic 1993 interview at Jackson’s Neverland Ranch was a significant media event. At the time, Jackson was one of the world’s biggest stars, yet he had been plagued by various rumors surrounding his personal life, including speculation about his appearance, his relationships, and his eccentric lifestyle.
Oprah’s interview was seen as an opportunity for Jackson to address these rumors and clear the air.
During the interview, Oprah asked Jackson about many personal topics, from his cosmetic surgeries to his battle with vitiligo—a skin condition that Jackson claimed caused his changing skin color. He also opened up about his father’s harsh discipline and the deep sadness he felt due to the media’s treatment of him.
While some parts of the interview were sympathetic, many fans and family members felt Oprah was too invasive and even skeptical of Jackson’s explanations.
The interview came just months before child sexual abuse allegations were brought against Jackson. Some believe this marked the beginning of a more contentious relationship between Oprah and the Jackson family.
In recent years, Janet Jackson, Michael’s sister, has accused Oprah of betraying her brother’s trust. Janet revealed in a podcast interview that she warned Michael not to participate in the 1993 interview, fearing that Oprah might have ulterior motives. According to Janet, Oprah had promised to portray Michael in a positive light but ultimately exploited him for ratings.
Janet also expressed that she believes Oprah used the interview to harm Michael’s reputation, a sentiment echoed by other family members, including Michael’s brother Jermaine Jackson. Jermaine accused Oprah of sensationalizing the Leaving Neverland documentary, which featured the allegations of two men who claimed they were sexually abused by Jackson as children.
The 2019 documentary Leaving Neverland reignited the controversy surrounding Michael Jackson. Directed by Dan Reed, the film focused on the testimonies of Wade Robson and James Safechuck, who accused Jackson of sexually abusing them when they were children.
Oprah’s involvement in the aftermath of the documentary is what truly solidified the accusations of betrayal from Jackson’s family and fans.
After the release of the documentary, Oprah conducted a special interview with Robson and Safechuck titled Oprah Winfrey Presents: After Neverland. In this interview, she appeared to side with the accusers, leading many to believe that she had turned her back on Michael Jackson, despite his consistent denials and the lack of criminal convictions in his lifetime.
Fans were outraged by Oprah’s actions, with some accusing her of hypocrisy, pointing out that she had been much quieter when it came to speaking out against her former friend Harvey Weinstein, who was later convicted of sexual assault.
To them, Oprah’s involvement in the Leaving Neverland documentary felt like a betrayal, especially after she had once interviewed Jackson and portrayed him as a victim of false media narratives.
Michael Jackson’s family has been vocal about their feelings of betrayal. Jermaine Jackson, in particular, called out Oprah, accusing her of unfairly targeting his brother without considering the evidence or Michael’s proven innocence in court.
Other family members, including Janet and Brandy Jackson, also expressed their anger, suggesting that Oprah’s involvement with the Leaving Neverland documentary was politically motivated and aimed at damaging Michael’s legacy.
Brandy Jackson, Michael’s niece, shared that Oprah had been welcomed into their home several times, including when she interviewed Michael’s children after his death. She felt that Oprah’s actions after Leaving Neverland were a betrayal, considering the trust the family had placed in her.
Taj Jackson, Michael’s nephew, echoed similar sentiments, expressing his dismay at how Oprah handled the accusations in the documentary. Taj, who knew Wade Robson personally, described the documentary as a fabrication and felt that Oprah’s participation only furthered the spread of lies about his uncle.
The question of whether Oprah betrayed Michael Jackson is a deeply polarizing one. To some, Oprah was simply doing her job as a journalist by asking difficult questions and giving a platform to the voices of abuse survivors.
To others, especially Jackson’s family and loyal fans, her actions—particularly in the wake of Leaving Neverland—amount to a deliberate effort to tarnish Michael Jackson’s legacy for personal or political gain.
Regardless of which side you fall on, the controversy underscores the complicated legacy that Jackson left behind. His musical genius continues to be celebrated, yet his personal life remains mired in allegations and accusations. For Oprah, the accusations of betrayal continue to linger, and for many fans and family members, an apology remains overdue.