01of 11Jackson’s Estate Cancels Plans for Jukebox MusicalGeorge Rose/Getty ImagesThree weeks after the documentary screened at the Sundance Film Festival, Jackson’s estate announced on Feb. 14 that it was canceling a planned Chicago tryout of a new jukebox musical about him.The estate and its producing partner, Columbia Live Stage, said that they would try to bring the musical — titled “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” — straight to Broadway in 2020 instead due to “scheduling difficulties,” according toThe New York Times.
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Jackson’s Estate Cancels Plans for Jukebox Musical
George Rose/Getty Images
Three weeks after the documentary screened at the Sundance Film Festival, Jackson’s estate announced on Feb. 14 that it was canceling a planned Chicago tryout of a new jukebox musical about him.
The estate and its producing partner, Columbia Live Stage, said that they would try to bring the musical — titled “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” — straight to Broadway in 2020 instead due to “scheduling difficulties,” according toThe New York Times.
02of 11
Neverland Ranch Goes on Sale
In February, Jackson’s estaterelistedhis 2,700-acre Neverland Ranch (now renamed Sycamore Valley Ranch) at a new asking price of $31 million, nearly $70 million less than its original listing from 2015.
After Jackson died in 2009, his estate and the fund manager put up the Los Olivos, California estatefor $100 million six years later.
Since then, his family has struggled to sell the property.
03of 11
Radio Stations Pull Songs from Their Playlists
Michael Jackson.Michael Ochs Archive/Getty
Three major Canadian radio stations in Montreal pulled Jackson’s music from airplay after the documentary aired on HBO on March 3 and 4, according toVariety.
Two radio stations in New Zealand, MediaWorks and NXME, also dropped Jackson’s music, according toBillboard.
04of 11
Music Sales Drop
Michael Jackson with his black fedora and white glove.Phil Dent/Redferns
Sales for Jackson’s albums and songs as a whole, including both his solo work and his time with Jackson 5 and The Jacksons,droppedfour percent in the wake of the documentary’s premiere, while his combined sales for March 3-5 also dropped from the previous week, according toThe Hollywood Reporter.
05of 11Corey Feldman Speaks OutAlthough the former child star was friends with Jackson, he said during an appearance on CNN’s Headline News on March 6 that he couldno longer defendthe late singer in wake of the allegations made against him in the documentary.“I don’t want to be perceived as I’m here to defend Michael Jackson, because I can no longer do that," Feldman said. “I can not in good consciousness defend anyone who’s being accused of such horrendous things.He added: “But at the same time, I’m also not here to judge him, because again, he did not do those things to me and that was not my experience.”
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Corey Feldman Speaks Out
Although the former child star was friends with Jackson, he said during an appearance on CNN’s Headline News on March 6 that he couldno longer defendthe late singer in wake of the allegations made against him in the documentary.
“I don’t want to be perceived as I’m here to defend Michael Jackson, because I can no longer do that,” Feldman said. “I can not in good consciousness defend anyone who’s being accused of such horrendous things.
He added: “But at the same time, I’m also not here to judge him, because again, he did not do those things to me and that was not my experience.”
06of 11British Museum Removes StatueAdam Davy - EMPICS/PA Images via GettyA statue of Jackson was removed from the National Football Museum in Manchester, England on March 7, according toCNN.The soccer museum, which had displayed the statue since 2014, told the outlet in a statement: “The National Football Museum has made a number of changes to its exhibitions and the objects on display over the last few months."“As part of our ongoing plans to better represent the stories we want to tell, we have made a decision to remove the Michael Jackson statue from display,” the statement continued.
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British Museum Removes Statue
Adam Davy - EMPICS/PA Images via Getty
A statue of Jackson was removed from the National Football Museum in Manchester, England on March 7, according toCNN.
The soccer museum, which had displayed the statue since 2014, told the outlet in a statement: “The National Football Museum has made a number of changes to its exhibitions and the objects on display over the last few months.”
“As part of our ongoing plans to better represent the stories we want to tell, we have made a decision to remove the Michael Jackson statue from display,” the statement continued.
07of 11The SimpsonsPull EpisodeFOXA 1991 episode ofTheSimpsonstitled “Stark Raving Dad” which features the voice of Jackson waspulledfrom the show’s archives in the beginning of March.Top creatives from the long-running Fox animated series — including creator Matt Groening, executive producer James L. Brooks, and showrunner Al Jean — all collectively agreed to remove the episode from re-runs, streaming platforms, and even upcoming DVD/Blu-ray box sets,The Wall Street Journalreported.“It feels clearly the only choice to make,” Brooks told the outlet. “The guys I work with — where we spend our lives arguing over jokes — we’re of one mind on this.”On the episode, Jackson voiced a character named Leon Kompowsky who believes he’s actually Michael Jackson. Brooks called it “a treasured episode” while speaking to theJournal,but admitted the allegations in the documentary changed that. “There are a lot of great memories we have wrapped up in that one, and this certainly doesn’t allow them to remain,” he said.
07of 11
The SimpsonsPull Episode
FOX
A 1991 episode ofTheSimpsonstitled “Stark Raving Dad” which features the voice of Jackson waspulledfrom the show’s archives in the beginning of March.
Top creatives from the long-running Fox animated series — including creator Matt Groening, executive producer James L. Brooks, and showrunner Al Jean — all collectively agreed to remove the episode from re-runs, streaming platforms, and even upcoming DVD/Blu-ray box sets,The Wall Street Journalreported.
“It feels clearly the only choice to make,” Brooks told the outlet. “The guys I work with — where we spend our lives arguing over jokes — we’re of one mind on this.”
On the episode, Jackson voiced a character named Leon Kompowsky who believes he’s actually Michael Jackson. Brooks called it “a treasured episode” while speaking to theJournal,but admitted the allegations in the documentary changed that. “There are a lot of great memories we have wrapped up in that one, and this certainly doesn’t allow them to remain,” he said.
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LaToya Jackson Interview Resurfaces
L. Cohen/WireImage
Still, LaToya appeared to believe the claims were true, claiming her mother had shown her hush-money payments in “very very large amounts” made to the youngster’s families.
09of 11Louis Vuitton Men’s Pulls Jackson-Inspired ClothingWWD/REX/ShutterstockLouis Vuitton’s Fall/Winter 2019 menswear collection drew a lot inspiration from Jackson. From the backdrop (designed to resemble the “Billie Jean” music video set) to the graphic tees (which featured the singer’s infamous high socks and loafers), Jackson’s influence on the men’s artistic director, Virgil Abloh, was highly prevalent.But since the release ofLeaving Neverland, the brand hasdecided not to produce any of its Jackson-inspired looksfrom the show. Along with the T-shirt, pieces in the collection featured Jackson’s character from the 1978 filmThe Wiz. Additionally, some models wore bedazzled white gloves (one of Jackson’s signatures) down the runway.Both LVMH, the owner of Louis Vuitton, and Abloh, released a statement toWWDabout their decision to pull any Jackson-themed items from the line. “I am aware that in light of this documentary the show has caused emotional reactions. I strictly condemn any form of child abuse, violence or infringement against any human rights,” Abloh said in thestatement.
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Louis Vuitton Men’s Pulls Jackson-Inspired Clothing
WWD/REX/Shutterstock
Louis Vuitton’s Fall/Winter 2019 menswear collection drew a lot inspiration from Jackson. From the backdrop (designed to resemble the “Billie Jean” music video set) to the graphic tees (which featured the singer’s infamous high socks and loafers), Jackson’s influence on the men’s artistic director, Virgil Abloh, was highly prevalent.
But since the release ofLeaving Neverland, the brand hasdecided not to produce any of its Jackson-inspired looksfrom the show. Along with the T-shirt, pieces in the collection featured Jackson’s character from the 1978 filmThe Wiz. Additionally, some models wore bedazzled white gloves (one of Jackson’s signatures) down the runway.
Both LVMH, the owner of Louis Vuitton, and Abloh, released a statement toWWDabout their decision to pull any Jackson-themed items from the line. “I am aware that in light of this documentary the show has caused emotional reactions. I strictly condemn any form of child abuse, violence or infringement against any human rights,” Abloh said in thestatement.
10of 11Children’s Museum Removes MemorabiliaRaymond Boyd/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images; Phil Dent/RedfernsThree Jackson relics have beenremovedfrom two exhibits atThe Children’s Museum of Indianapolis.Jackson’s iconic black fedora and signature white sparkle glove — which were purchased several years ago at auction — have been removed from the museum’s American Pop exhibit, representatives from the organization told PEOPLE in a statement.“As the world’s largest children’s museum, we are more sensitive than most to our audience,” museum representatives said. “In an excess of caution, and in response to the controversy over the HBO film calledLeaving Neverland, which directly involved allegations of abuse against children, we removed those objects while we carefully consider the situation more fully.”Another item, a signed Michael Jackson poster that was on display in The Power of Children exhibit, has also been removed — though some photos of Jackson in that exhibit still remain as a tribute to Ryan White, a boy who died in 1990 of complications related to AIDS.
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Children’s Museum Removes Memorabilia
Raymond Boyd/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images; Phil Dent/Redferns
Three Jackson relics have beenremovedfrom two exhibits atThe Children’s Museum of Indianapolis.
Jackson’s iconic black fedora and signature white sparkle glove — which were purchased several years ago at auction — have been removed from the museum’s American Pop exhibit, representatives from the organization told PEOPLE in a statement.
“As the world’s largest children’s museum, we are more sensitive than most to our audience,” museum representatives said. “In an excess of caution, and in response to the controversy over the HBO film calledLeaving Neverland, which directly involved allegations of abuse against children, we removed those objects while we carefully consider the situation more fully.”
Another item, a signed Michael Jackson poster that was on display in The Power of Children exhibit, has also been removed — though some photos of Jackson in that exhibit still remain as a tribute to Ryan White, a boy who died in 1990 of complications related to AIDS.
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Jackson Family and Estate Deny All Allegations
Ron Wolfson/WireImage
Jackson’s family has repeatedly denied all allegations put forth inLeaving Neverland, and said in a January statement the film was “another rehash of dated and discredited allegations,” calling it “yet another lurid production in an outrageous and pathetic attempt to exploit and cash in on Michael Jackson.”
source: people.com
