Warning: This article contains mentions of child abuse which some readers may find distressing
Riley Keough, Lisa Marie Presley’s daughter, has spoken out regarding the alleged Michael Jackson sexual abuse allegations.
Since the ‘Thriller’ hitmaker’s death in 2009, stories came to light in the explosive documentary, Leaving Neverland, that accused Jackson of allegedly having abused youngsters.
The doc featured interviews with Wade Robson and James Safechuck, who said that Jackson abused them as a child.
Jackson became family with Keough at one point after the singer married her mother, Lisa Marie.
The singer-actor – who died aged 54 in 2023 – married Jackson in 1994 before the pair called it quits just two years later in 1996.
Speaking about her mother’s marriage to Jackson on the Call her Daddy podcast, Keough said: “I think when she saw Michael’s life, there were things that he had that she didn’t have.
“The one thing I know is that they were in love and that their love for one another was genuine because I was there and I remember. Everything else, I don’t know because I wasn’t there.”
Lisa Marie Presley and Michael Jackson were married for two years (Stephane Cardinale/Sygma via Getty Images)
While the claims about Jackson were very much in the public eye, Keough went on to say she never discussed those with Lisa Marie prior to her passing away.
The 35-year-old added: “I was never told anything. It’s actually not something I ever asked as an adult. I think it just was what it was. I don’t know, it just never came to mind, I guess.”
Keough is the daughter of Danny Keough, with the actor predicting what her late father would have thought of the Jackson allegations.
She continued on the podcast: “I would imagine he said all kind of things to my mom that we didn’t know about. But the way my parents parented was very much like ‘we don’t fight around the kids’.
“We didn’t know about any allegations, we didn’t know, we had no awareness of that.”
Riley Keough says she never spoke to her mom about the allegations against Michael Jackson (Cindy Ord/WireImage)
After Leaving Neverland released in 2019, the Michael Jackson estate dismissed the film as ‘yet another lurid production in an outrageous and pathetic attempt to exploit and cash in on’ the singer.
Home Alone actor Macaulay Culkin was good friends with Jackson and previously said that he never saw Jackson abuse anyone, and also denied that the singer had ever behaved inappropriately with him.
Culkin actually gave evidence in Jackson’s defense in a 2005 trial, where the singer was found not guilty of molesting a boy.
Speaking to Esquire magazine in 2020, the actor shut down all rumors: “I’m gonna begin with the line – it’s not a line, it’s the truth: He never did anything to me. I never saw him do anything. And especially at this flashpoint in time, I’d have no reason to hold anything back.”
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues or want to speak to someone in confidence regarding the welfare of a child, the Childhelp USA National Child Abuse Hotline (1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453) operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and receives calls from throughout the United States, Canada, US Virgin Islands, Guam and Puerto Rico.
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Featured Image Credit: Call Her Daddy/Stephane Cardinale – Corbis/Getty
Topics: Michael Jackson, Lisa Marie Presley, Celebrity
Callum Jones
Michael Jackson’s heartbreaking final words were revealed by his doctor
Michael Jackson died aged 50 on June 25, 2009
Warning: This article contains discussion of drug addiction which some readers may find distressing.
It’s been nearly fifteen years since Michael Jackson passed away – and his final words continue to be haunting.
The King of Pop dominated the charts for decades and made headlines for both his record-breaking career and controversial personal life.
But on June 25, 2009, he made the news for a very different reason – when he died at the age of 50.
When the paramedics were first called to the Los Angeles mansion that Jackson was renting, it appeared to be a standard case of cardiac arrest.
But what came out in the subsequent years revealed that the case was anything but standard.
For years, the singer had seemingly been dependant on a whole host of painkillers.
His dependency reportedly started in the 1980s, when his scalp was burnt in a fire while filming a Pepsi commercial.
This led to him taking a substantial amount of painkillers to deal with the pain.
Despite going to rehab in 1993, Jackson would struggle with his addictions for the rest of his life.
Michael Jackson died on June 25, 2009. (Kevork Djansezian-Pool/Getty Images)
The Los Angeles County coroner later concluded that Jackson died from ‘acute propofol intoxication’.
Propofol is an anaesthetic usually used in hospitals when patients are put under for surgeries.
Jackson had been using the drug to induce himself to sleep as he had insomnia.
Given that he had a comeback tour on the way, he wanted to get his rest – and opted for the drug.
It was supplied to him by Dr Conrad Murray, who was later. sentenced to four years in prison after being found guilty of involuntary manslaughter.
Dr Conrad Murray was the doctor who provided Michael Jackson with propofol. (CNN)
It was during his trial that Murray revealed what Jackson’s final words were – repeated requests for ‘milk’.
This might make no sense out of context, but propofol has been called the ‘milk of amnesia’.
Murray also recorded some of Jackson’s final pleas on his phone, in which the father-of-three can be heard saying: “Just make me sleep; it doesn’t matter what happens.”
When Murray submitted to his employer’s request, it would be the last time Jackson took propofol.
It’s said that minutes later, he realized the singer was no longer breathing and sounded the alarm.
Murray served around two years at a Los Angeles County jail and was released in October 2013.
His medical licenses in California, Nevada, and Texas were suspended after he was convicted.
If you want friendly, confidential advice about drugs, you can call American Addiction Centers on (313) 209-9137 24/7, or contact them through their website.
Featured Image Credit: Justin Sullivan/Steve Granitz/Getty Images
Topics: Michael Jackson, Celebrity
Ben Thompson
Diddy’s mom speaks out amid rap mogul’s sex trafficking and abuse allegations
Diddy’s mother argued her son was facing what amounted to a public lynching
Diddy’s mother has spoken out in defense of her son as he faces a slew of sexual abuse and trafficking allegations.
Janice Combs, Sean ‘Diddy’ Comb’s mother, issued a statement on Sunday defending her son against his many allegations.
The hip-hop mogul was indicted by federal prosecutors in mid-September on racketeering and sex trafficking charges, and has since been denied bail twice. He has repeatedly denied all the charges levied against him.
The 54-year-old could have as many as 120 people filing against him, according to attorney Tony Buzbee. They are all planning to take legal action against Diddy, and with allegations ranging from exploitation to sexual abuse, the lawsuit is mounting.
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs has been charged with racketeering and sex trafficking charges (Shareif Ziyadat/Getty Images for Sean “Diddy” Combs)
Buzbee shared that he is intending to file lawsuits against the rapper within the next 30 days from both men and women, with ages between 9 and 38 – including a 15-year-old girl who was allegedly drugged and sexually assaulted in Diddy’s presence.
Now, Diddy’s mother, Janice Combs, has released a statement through attorney Natlie G. Figgers.
Obtained by the Hollywood Reporter on October 6, she said: “My son is not the monster they have painted him to be, and he deserves the chance to tell his side.
“It is heartbreaking to see my son judged not for the truth, but for a narrative created out of lies.
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs pictured with his mother, Janice Combs (Stephane Cardinale/Corbis via Getty Images)
“To bear witness [to] what seems to be like a public lynching of my son before he has had the opportunity to prove his innocence is a pain too unbearable to put into words. Like every human being, my son deserves to have his day in court, to finally share his side, and to prove his innocence.”
She went on to acknowledge that ‘he has made mistakes in his past’, referencing her son reaching a settlement with his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura after shocking hotel CCTV footage from 2016 showed him assaulting her.
“My son may not have been entirely truthful about certain things, such as denying he has ever gotten violent with an ex-girlfriend when the hotel’s surveillance showed otherwise,” she said.
“Sometimes, the truth and a lie become so closely intertwined that it becomes terrifying to admit one part of the story, especially when that truth is outside the norm or is too complicated to be believed.”
Janice Combs defended her son in a statement issued over the weekend (Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET)
Diddy’s attorneys have also issued a statement to UNILAD and reiterated they are looking forward to addressing all the claims against the rapper in court.
The statement read: “As Mr. Combs’ legal team has emphasized, he cannot address every meritless allegation in what has become a reckless media circus.
”That said, Mr. Combs emphatically and categorically denies as false and defamatory any claim that he sexually abused anyone, including minors.
”He looks forward to proving his innocence and vindicating himself in court, where the truth will be established based on evidence, not speculation.”
If you’ve been affected by any of the issues in this article, you can contact The National Sexual Assault Hotline on 800.656.HOPE (4673), available 24/7. Or you can chat online via online.rainn.org
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Featured Image Credit: Getty/Gilbert Flores/Getty/Tibrina Hobson
Gerrard Kaonga
Rebel Wilson speaks out just hours after Isla Fisher and Sacha Baron Cohen announce divorce amid ‘sexual harassment’ allegations
Posting on Instagram after the news of Baron Cohen and Fisher’s split, Rebel began “What a week…”
Rebel Wilson has broken her silence after Isla Fisher and Sacha Baron Cohen announced their shock separation.
Fisher and Baron Cohen wed in 2010, but quietly split last year.
News of their separation has only just come to light, however, with the pair sharing a joint statement on social media yesterday (April 5).
“After a long tennis match lasting over twenty years, we are finally putting our racquets down. In 2023 we jointly filed to end our marriage,” the statement began, which was shared alongside a snap of Fisher and Baron Cohen wearing tennis outfits.
“We have always prioritized our privacy, and have been quietly working through this change.
Isla Fisher / Instagram
“We forever share in our devotion and love for our children. We sincerely appreciate your respecting our family’s wish for privacy.”
The news of the split comes amid Wilson’s claims that she was ‘sexually harassed’ by Baron Cohen while filming The Brothers Grimsby.
Baron Cohen vehemently denies the claims.
sachabaroncohen/Instagram
The Pitch Perfect star made a series of comments about her former co-star in her new memoir that hit shelves in the US series this week.
And now Wilson has spoken out on Instagram following the news of Fisher and Baron Cohen’s split.
She began: “What a week!”
Failing to address Baron Cohen and Fisher’s divorce, the 44-year-old continued: “I need a lie down on the couch now…for real!
“Thank you so much to everyone who has bought REBEL RISING and is already enjoying it! Love you.”
Next to the caption she shared two behind-the-scenes videos of a recent photoshoot she did with photographer Jeff Lipsky for her Sunday Times Magazine cover.
For the shoot, the mom-of-one sported an emerald green satin dress.
rebelwilson/Instagram
As well as discussing Baron Cohen in her tell-all book, Wilson also addresses losing her virginity in her 30s.
“Not everybody has to lose their virginity as a teenager. People can wait till they’re ready or wait till they’re a bit more mature,” she writes in Rebel Rising.
“And I think that could be a positive message. You obviously don’t have to wait until you’re in your thirties like me, but you shouldn’t feel pressure as a young person.”
As to who her first sexual partner was, she names fellow comic Mickey Gooch Jr.
“Micks, I know this might be news to you if you are reading this, but yes I lost my virginity to you,” Wilson wrote.
What a way to break the news to someone…
Featured Image Credit: Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty Images / Rick Rycroft-Pool/Getty Images
Topics: Celebrity, Rebel Wilson, Sacha Baron Cohen, News
Niamh Shackleton
Drake Bell hits out at Ned’s Declassified stars for reaction to Nickelodeon abuse allegations
Devon Werkheiser appeared to make light of the situation
Drake Bell has hit out at Ned’s Declassified Survival Guide stars for making light of the allegations surrounding Nickelodeon.
Bell shot to fame on the popular children’s TV channel on programmes like The Amanda Show and Drake & Josh in the 00s.
Years on from his time on Nickelodeon, Bell recently came forward and revealed that he was abused by convicted sexual abuser and former dialect coach, Brian Peck.
The actor made the revelations in the tell-all two-part series, Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV.
The programme aired earlier this month and, as well as claims about Peck’s behavior with budding stars like Bell, producer Dan Schneider has also been hit with allegations of inappropriate behavior and sexualizing child stars like Amanda Bynes and Ariana Grande.
Schneider has since expressed his regret over his actions in the past.
In light of the bombshell documentary airing, the cast of Ned’s Declassified Survival Guide have spoken out.
Ned (Devon Werkheiser), Moze (Lindsey Shaw), and Cookie (Daniel Curtis Lee) are often together as they now host the Ned’s Declassified Podcast Survival Guide.
Michael Tran/Getty Images
In a now-viral TikTok video, Werkheiser says while seemingly referring to Schneider: “Daniel, we told you never to speak about that. Get back in your hole, Daniel, and give me your holes.”
After laughing, he went on to add: “Sorry, we shouldn’t joke about this. We really shouldn’t. Our set was not like that. It’s f**king awful. The Drake Bell sh*t is crazy to hear.”
Reading out a fan’s comment on the live stream, the cast are asked if there were ‘in’ on the alleged abuse, to which Shaw replies ‘no’.
People online have since called out the actors for their response to the documentary – Bell included.
I know I just said I don’t like drama but immediately opening TikTok to see the Neds declassified crew joking about the victims that are coming forward from Dan Schneider and Nickelodeon is crazy gross. I started recording after “ yeah, we didn’t have the same experience as some…
Sharing the video in question, one person wrote on X: “I know I just said I don’t like drama but immediately opening TikTok to see the Neds Declassified crew joking about the victims that are coming forward from Dan Schneider and Nickelodeon is crazy gross.
“I started recording after ‘yeah, we didn’t have the same experience as some of the people who are coming forward right now in that documentary going around’.”
“This is so gross. I get people use humor in uncomfortable situations or trauma but that’s usually people who are the victims and they aren’t as they so boldly state,” wrote another.
Bell has since reshared the video of the Ned’s Declassified cast and penned: “Ned’s Declassless…this is wild…laugh it up guys…laugh it up…”Give me your h*les?!!” Really?!”
The Drake & Josh star posted the tweet on Tuesday (March 19) and Werkheiser quickly apologized.
X
He shared a statement on social media that read: “I was being an idiot today. No way around it. I feel horrible that my dumbass was even speaking about this without seeing it.
“I watched Quiet on Set tonight and am horrified by the gravity of what Drake and others shared.
“Truly heartbroken about what my fellow actors went through. I can’t believe they weren’t protected. I’m sorry for compounding any hurt.”
Bell is yet to respond to the apology.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence regarding the welfare of a child, the Childhelp USA National Child Abuse Hotline (1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453) operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and receives calls from throughout the United States, Canada, US Virgin Islands, Guam and Puerto Rico.
