The HBO documentary 'Leaving Neverland' is breathing new life into the child molestation allegations against Michael Jackson, revealing that even some of the boys who once defended the singer now claim they were in fact abused by him.
But what about the boys, now men, who still claim that Jackson never did anything to them?
Brett Barnes is one of those people. In 1993, he and Wade Robson, one of the two men at the heart of the documentary, defended Jackson immediately after he was first accused of sexually abusing children.
The first investigation began when Jordan "Jordy" Chandler, then 13, claimed that the "Thriller" singer repeatedly sexually abused him. According to the lawsuit, Chandler said he slept in the same bed as Jackson repeatedly and that Jackson abused him on multiple occasions.
Robson and Barnes made media appearances to defend Jackson. Robson told CNN that he slept in Jackson's bed and nothing happened. Barnes agreed.
"It's a big bed ... and I was on one side and he was on the other," said Barnes, then 11.
Barnes has maintained that nothing happened and is not a fan of the documentary. He has tweeting and retweeting negative comments about the doc.
'So people are now getting their data from a movie?' he tweeted. “I wonder what you guys think of the documentary showing the big '96 alien invasion. I think it was called Independence Day.'
Brett Barnes did a podcast in 2022, on a channel called "The MJCast", as the name would suggest, is very pro Michael Jackson. Again, in this podcast, he maintains that his relationship with Jackson wasn't of a sexual nature, however, the podcast itself seemed more interested demonising certain individuals, while maintaining that Michael Jackson was almost perfect.
Actor Macaulay Culkin has also come to Jackson's defense, both past and present. During Jackson's 2005 trial over allegations that he sexually abused 13-year-old Gavin Arvizo, Culkin took the stand to call the allegations "absolutely ridiculous." He testified that between the ages of 9 and 14 he slept in Jackson's bed a dozen or more times, but maintained that nothing inappropriate happened.
"I've fallen asleep in the same bed as him," Culkin said. 'I would just keel over.'
During questioning, Culkin maintained that he was never molested by the singer.
It seems unlikely to me. I think I would notice if something like that was happening.'
He defended the singer and said that they had an understanding and a close but healthy relationship.
Earlier this year, Culkin spoke publicly about his relationship with Jackson on the 'Inside You with Michael Rosenbaum podcast. He called the relationship 'mundane' and 'so normal'.
"I mean, at the end of the day, it's almost easy to try to say that it was weird or whatever, but it wasn't, because it made sense," Culkin said. "At the end of the day, we were friends."
Although Robson defended Jackson publicly in 1993, and then again at Jackson's trial in 2005, he later changed his mind years later after saying he suffered two nervous breakdowns, one in 2011 and one in 2012, which he blamed on alleged child abuse. He also claimed that he had compartmentalized the trauma when she testified on Jackson's behalf.
Jackson died in 2009.
As with anything in the world of Michael Jackson, and those around him, you should always take everything you hear or read with a pinch of salt, even if it comes directly from the individuals involved.
Sexual abuse is a complex subject, and it's made even more complex when it involves an iconic superstar, who had not only had the power and money to seduce and abuse his child victims, but also had the ability to make them deny it in adult hood.
Below are some interesting links regarding Brett Barnes, and why there is at the very least, a possibility that he isn't being completely honest about his relationship with Michael Jackson.
The ‘One-On-One’ Sleepovers - MJ Facts
An article covering the sleepovers, including Wade Robson, Brett Barnes and Jordan Chandler.
https://www.mjfacts.com/michael-jackson-sleepovers/
The Story of Brett Barnes from 1991 to 2001 - MJ and boys
A detailed look into Brett Barnes involvement with Michael Jackson from a nine year old in 1991, up until 2001, as a fully grown adult.
https://mjandboys.wordpress.com/2016/05/02/michael-jackson-brett-barnes-1991-2009/
Re: Michael’s sexuality: was Brett Barnes a ‘victim’? - Desiree speaks...so listen
An article questioning whether Brett and Michael Jackson's relationship was of an innocent or sinister nature.
https://rerightinghistorymj.wordpress.com/articles/brett-barnes/
Brett Barnes Redux: Michael Jackson’s Most Special ‘Special Friend’ - Desiree speaks...so listen
An article which further explores whether Brett Barnes's "bed sharing" relationship with Michael Jackson, was of an innocent or sinister nature.
https://rerightinghistorymj.wordpress.com/articles/brett-barnes-redux/
Is the (@IAmBrettBarnes) Twitter Account a Fake? - MJ Not Innocent
Despite being created in 2010, nobody knew for certain until December 2021, whether the Brett Barnes Twitter account was real or fake. It's authenticity was confirmed, after Brett posted a picture of the suit he wore to Michael Jackson's 2005 trial. You won't find dozens or hundreds of unique stories and pictures, instead the account remains very secretive, and appears to be more interested in pandering to the Michael Jackson fan base, rather than giving honest and balanced arguments.
https://mjnotinnocent.wordpress.com/2020/02/22/brett-barnes/