Barbra Streisand Catches Heat for Saying Michael Jackson Molestation ”Didn’t Kill” His Alleged Victims

Barbra Streisand has an interesting take on the sexual abuse allegations against Michael Jackson.

As two stars who reigned in the music world, Barbra and Michael crossed paths numerous times over the years. So, when the sexual abuse allegations were made against the Thriller performer, Barbra wasn’t exactly surprised to learn about his alleged actions. In fact, she says she “absolutely” believes the claims made by Wade Robson and James Safechuck, in an interview with the Evening Standard. She adds, “That was too painful.”

The part of her interview that is drawing mire is the sympathy she shows towards the alleged child abuser, despite her convictions. “His sexual needs were his sexual needs, coming from whatever childhood he has or whatever DNA he has. You can say ‘molested’, but those children, as you heard say [the grown-up Robson and Safechuck], they were thrilled to be there,” Streisand muses. “They both married and they both have children, so it didn’t kill them.”

Her apparent sympathy for the late singer means that she has a “combination of feelings” when it comes to the alleged crimes, rather than blatant anger as some have expressed. The 76-year-old explains, “I feel bad for the children. I feel bad for him. I blame, I guess, the parents, who would allow their children to sleep with him. Why would Michael need these little children dressed like him and in the shoes and the dancing and the hats?”

Since the publication of the interview, fans have expressed outrage on Twitter and Instagram over her controversial comments. One Twitter user wrote, “Barbra Streisand’s comments on Michael Jackson’s accusers are … outrageous and perplexing to say the very least.”

Leaving Neverland director Dan Reed expressed frustration over the comments, adding,”‘It didn’t kill them’ @BarbraStreisand did you really say that?!#LeavingNerverland (sic).”

Meanwhile, the fallout over the Leaving Neverland documentary continues to progress. Numerous brands like Starbucks and Louis Vuitton are distancing themselves from the once King of Pop in wake of the HBO documentary. Moreover, several radio stations across the country took a vow to stop playing any songs by the alleged perpetrator.