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PreviewAdvancedSpecial charactersHelpHeadingLevel 2Level 3Level 4Level 5FormatInsertLatinLatin extendedIPASymbolsGreekGreek extendedCyrillicArabicArabic extendedHebrewBanglaTamilTeluguSinhalaDevanagariGujaratiThaiLaoKhmerCanadian AboriginalRunesÁáÀàÂâÄäÃãǍǎĀāĂ㥹ÅåĆćĈĉÇçČčĊċĐđĎďÉéÈèÊêËëĚěĒēĔĕĖėĘęĜĝĢģĞğĠġĤĥĦħÍíÌìÎîÏïĨĩǏǐĪīĬĭİıĮįĴĵĶķĹĺĻļĽľŁłŃńÑñŅņŇňÓóÒòÔôÖöÕõǑǒŌōŎŏǪǫŐőŔŕŖŗŘřŚśŜŝŞşŠšȘșȚțŤťÚúÙùÛûÜüŨũŮůǓǔŪūǖǘǚǜŬŭŲųŰűŴŵÝýŶŷŸÿȲȳŹźŽžŻżÆæǢǣØøŒœßÐðÞþƏəFormattingLinksHeadingsListsFilesDiscussionReferencesDescriptionWhat you typeWhat you getItalic''Italic text''Italic textBold'''Bold text'''Bold textBold & italic'''''Bold & italic text'''''Bold & italic textDescriptionWhat you typeWhat you getReferencePage text.<ref>[https://www.example.org/ Link text], additional text.</ref>Page text.[1]Named referencePage text.<ref name="test">[https://www.example.org/ Link text]</ref>Page text.[2]Additional use of the same referencePage text.<ref name="test" />Page text.[2]Display references<references />↑ Link text, additional text.↑ Link text== Death == {{Main|Death of Michael Jackson}} [[File:Michael Jackson Star.JPG|thumb|alt=Jackson's Star with flowers and notes on it|Fans placed flowers and notes on Jackson's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on the day of his death]] On June 25, 2009, less than three weeks before his concert residency was due to begin in London, with all concerts sold out, Jackson died from cardiac arrest, caused by a [[propofol]] and [[benzodiazepine]] overdose.<ref>{{cite press release |title=Michael Jackson dead at 50 after cardiac arrest |publisher=CNN |date=June 25, 2009 |access-date=August 31, 2009 |url=https://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Music/06/25/michael.jackson/index.html |archive-date=August 27, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090827130840/http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Music/06/25/michael.jackson/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="CNN">{{cite press release |first=Alan |last=Duke |title=Coroner releases new details about Michael Jackson's death |publisher=CNN |date=February 10, 2010 |access-date=February 23, 2019 |url=https://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/02/09/michael.jackson.autopsy/index.html |archive-date=March 15, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190315022015/http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/02/09/michael.jackson.autopsy/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Conrad Murray]], his personal physician, had given Jackson various medications to help him sleep at his rented mansion in [[Holmby Hills, Los Angeles]]. Paramedics received a [[9-1-1|911]] call at 12:22 pm [[Pacific Time Zone|Pacific time]] (19:22 UTC) and arrived three minutes later.<ref>{{cite news |title=Los Angeles Fire Department recording of the emergency phone call made from Michael Jackson's home |date=June 26, 2009 |access-date=June 27, 2009 |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8121884.stm |archive-date=June 27, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090627011805/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8121884.stm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Partial transcript of Calif. 911 call |publisher=Yahoo! News |agency=Associated Press |date=March 4, 2013 |url=https://news.yahoo.com/partial-transcript-calif-911-call-210530808.html |access-date=January 14, 2017 |archive-date=March 5, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305095518/http://news.yahoo.com/partial-transcript-calif-911-call-210530808.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Jackson was not breathing and [[Cardiopulmonary resuscitation|CPR]] was performed.<ref>{{cite news |title=Michael Jackson's life cut shockingly short |agency=Associated Press |date=June 26, 2009 |url=https://www.today.com/id/31552029 |access-date=February 24, 2022 |archive-date=November 19, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161119030910/http://www.today.com/id/31552029 |url-status=live }}</ref> Resuscitation efforts continued en route to [[Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center]], and for more than an hour after Jackson's arrival there, but were unsuccessful,<ref>{{cite news |first1=Teri |last1=Whitcraft |first2=Kristin |last2=Pisarcik |first3=Kimberly |last3=Brown |title=Timeline: Michael Jackson's Final Days |work=ABC News |date=June 23, 2010 |access-date=March 19, 2017 |url=https://abcnews.go.com/2020/MichaelJackson/michael-jackson-final-days-timeline-year-death-king/story?id=10974394 |archive-date=November 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221123034921/https://abcnews.go.com/2020/MichaelJackson/michael-jackson-final-days-timeline-year-death-king/story?id=10974394 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Times">{{cite news |first=Michael |last=Harvey |date=June 26, 2009 |title=Fans mourn artist for whom it didn't matter if you were black or white |newspaper=The Times |url=https://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article6580897.ece |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110920052143/https://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article6580897.ece |archive-date= September 20, 2011}}</ref> and Jackson was pronounced dead at 2:26 pm Pacific time (21:26 UTC).<ref name="Telegraph">{{cite news |first=Matthew |last=Moore |title=Michael Jackson, King of Pop, dies of cardiac arrest in Los Angeles |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=June 26, 2009 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/michael-jackson/5643916/Michael-Jackson-King-of-Pop-dies-of-cardiac-arrest-in-Los-Angeles.html |archive-url= https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/michael-jackson/5643916/Michael-Jackson-King-of-Pop-dies-of-cardiac-arrest-in-Los-Angeles.html |archive-date= January 10, 2022 |url-status= live}} {{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first1=Dan |last1=Whitcomb |first2=Laura |last2=Isensee |title=Michael Jackson death still unsolved after autopsy |publisher=Reuters |date=June 26, 2009 |access-date=May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-jackson-idUSTRE55O6AK20090626 |archive-date=July 7, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150707125050/http://www.reuters.com/article/2009/06/26/us-jackson-idUSTRE55O6AK20090626 |url-status=live }}</ref> Murray had administered [[propofol]], [[lorazepam]], and [[midazolam]];<ref>{{cite news |first=Kathleen |last=Doheny |title=Propofol Linked to Michael Jackson's Death |date=August 24, 2009 |access-date=May 31, 2015 |publisher=[[WebMD]] |url=https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/news/20090824/propofol-linked-to-michael-jacksons-death |archive-date=August 24, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170824180146/http://www.webmd.com/pain-management/news/20090824/propofol-linked-to-michael-jacksons-death |url-status=live }}</ref> his death was caused by a propofol overdose.<ref name="CNN" /><ref name="Times" /> News of his death spread quickly online, causing websites to slow down and [[crash (computing)|crash]] from user overload,<ref>{{cite press release |first1=Linnie |last1=Rawlinson |first2=Nick |last2=Hunt |title=Jackson dies, almost takes Internet with him |publisher=CNN |date=June 26, 2009 |access-date=March 16, 2013 |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2009/TECH/06/26/michael.jackson.internet/ |archive-date=May 20, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130520175409/http://edition.cnn.com/2009/TECH/06/26/michael.jackson.internet/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and it put unprecedented strain<ref name="Wood">{{cite news |first=Daniel B. |last=Wood |title=Outpouring over Michael Jackson unlike anything since Princess Di |newspaper=[[The Christian Science Monitor]] |date=June 27, 2009 |access-date=May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.csmonitor.com/2009/0627/p25s09-usgn.html |archive-date=August 13, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090813104839/http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/0627/p25s09-usgn.html? |url-status=live }}</ref> on many services and websites including [[Google Search|Google]],<ref name="Shiels" /> [[AOL Instant Messenger]],<ref name="Wood" /> Twitter and Wikipedia.<ref name="Shiels">{{cite news |first=Maggie |last=Shiels |title=Web slows after Jackson's death |work=BBC News |date=June 26, 2009 |access-date=May 31, 2015 |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8120324.stm |archive-date=May 11, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150511202318/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8120324.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> Overall, [[web traffic]] rose by between 11% and 20%.<ref name="crash">{{cite news |first=David |last=Skok |title=Internet stretched to limit as fans flock for Michael Jackson news |newspaper=[[The Vancouver Sun]] |date=June 26, 2009 |url=https://vancouversun.com/Entertainment/Internet+stretched+limit+fans+flock+Michael+Jackson+news/1736311/story.html |archive-date= July 3, 2009 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090703075357/https://www.vancouversun.com/Entertainment/Internet+stretched+limit+fans+flock+Michael+Jackson+news/1736311/story.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first1=Tom |last1=Krazit |first2=Declan |last2=McCullagh |title=Debate: Can the Internet handle big breaking news |publisher=[[CNET]] |date=June 26, 2009 |access-date= May 31, 2015 |url=https://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-10273854-93.html |archive-date= October 29, 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131029195451/http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-10273854-93.html |url-status= dead}}</ref> MTV and [[BET]] aired [[Marathon (media)|marathons]] of Jackson's music videos,<ref>{{cite news |first=Brian |last=Dtelter |title=MTV's Jackson Marathon |newspaper=The New York Times |date=June 26, 2009 |access-date=May 31, 2015 |url=https://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/26/the-michael-jackson-channel/?scp=2&sq=MTV&st=cse |archive-date=November 5, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151105122648/http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/26/the-michael-jackson-channel/?scp=2&sq=MTV&st=cse |url-status=live }}</ref> and Jackson specials aired on television stations around the world.<ref>{{cite news |title=Jacko news spreads to Eastenders |newspaper=[[Metro (British newspaper)|Metro]] |date=June 26, 2009 |access-date=May 31, 2015 |url=https://metro.co.uk/2009/06/26/jacko-news-spreads-to-eastenders-228251/ |archive-date=June 30, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630013457/http://metro.co.uk/2009/06/26/jacko-news-spreads-to-eastenders-228251/ |url-status=live }}</ref> MTV briefly returned to its original music video format,<ref name="Barnes" /> and they aired hours of Jackson's music videos, with live news specials featuring reactions from MTV personalities and other celebrities.<ref name="Tylerc">{{cite web |title=More adds, loose ends, and lament |work=The 120 Minutes Archive |date=July 25, 2009 |access-date= February 15, 2014 |url=https://tylerc.com/2009/08/more-adds-loose-ends-lament/ |archive-date= May 14, 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140514003810/http://tylerc.com/2009/08/more-adds-loose-ends-lament/ |url-status= dead}}</ref> === Memorial service === {{Main|Michael Jackson memorial service}} {{multiple image | align = right | total_width = 220 | image1 = Michael Jackson Grave.jpg | alt1 = A large pink/cream-colored box in front of a stained glass window. | caption1 = Jackson's unmarked crypt at the end of the Sanctuary of Ascension in the Holly Terrace of the [[Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Glendale)|Great Mausoleum, Forest Lawn Glendale]] | image2 = Neverland-ranch-memorial.jpg | alt2 = A group of people standing outside a gated area. There are trees, bushes, and grassed areas. A majority of the area the people and in are shadowed by the trees by the gate. | caption2 = Fans visiting the makeshift memorial set up outside the Neverland Ranch entrance shortly after Jackson's death | direction = vertical }} Jackson's memorial was held on July 7, 2009, at the [[Staples Center]] in Los Angeles, preceded by a private family service at [[Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Hollywood Hills#Court of Liberty|Forest Lawn Memorial Park's Hall of Liberty]]. Over 1.6{{nbsp}}million fans applied for tickets to the memorial; the 8,750 recipients were drawn at random, and each received two tickets.<ref>{{cite press release |title=Over 1.6M apply for Jackson memorial tickets |date=July 4, 2009 |agency=Associated Press |access-date=May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.today.com/id/31710570/ns/today-entertainment/t/over-m-apply-jackson-memorial-tickets |archive-date=April 26, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150426215751/http://www.today.com/id/31710570/ns/today-entertainment/t/over-m-apply-jackson-memorial-tickets |url-status=live }}</ref> The memorial service was one of the most watched events in [[Streaming media|streaming]] history,<ref>{{cite press release |title=Michael Jackson memorial draws crowds online |publisher=CNN |date=July 8, 2009 |access-date=June 11, 2012 |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2009/TECH/07/07/michael.jackson.web.traffic/ |archive-date=August 18, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120818192649/http://edition.cnn.com/2009/TECH/07/07/michael.jackson.web.traffic/ |url-status=live }}</ref> with an estimated US audience of 31.1{{nbsp}}million<ref>{{cite news |first=Andrew |last=Scott |title=Michael Jackson Memorial Earns 31 Million Viewers & More TV News |publisher=[[AOL TV]] |date=July 9, 2009 |access-date= May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.aoltv.com/insidetv/2009/07/09/michael-jackson-memorial-earns-31-million-viewers/ |archive-date= July 23, 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150723074833/https://www.aoltv.com/insidetv/2009/07/09/michael-jackson-memorial-earns-31-million-viewers/}}</ref> and a worldwide audience of an estimated 2.5 to 3 billion.<ref>{{cite news |date=July 8, 2009 |title=Hazarika'{{'}}s funeral creates world record |publisher=MSN |url=http://news.in.msn.com/national/article.aspx?cp-documentid=5592621 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140807110046/http://news.in.msn.com/national/article.aspx?cp-documentid=5592621 |archive-date=August 7, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |first=Paul |last=Hanley |year=2014 |title=Eleven |publisher=[[Friesen Press]] |page=73 |isbn=978-1-4602-5047-1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=P9GZBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA73 |access-date=July 23, 2021 |archive-date=March 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240305112925/https://books.google.com/books?id=P9GZBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA73#v=onepage&q&f=false |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Mariah Carey]], [[Stevie Wonder]], [[Lionel Richie]], [[Jennifer Hudson]], and [[Shaheen Jafargholi]] performed at the memorial, and [[Smokey Robinson]] and [[Queen Latifah]] gave eulogies.<ref>{{cite news |first=Nick |last=Allen |title=Michael Jackson memorial service: the biggest celebrity send-off of all time |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=July 7, 2009 |access-date= May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/michael-jackson/5771156/Michael-Jackson-memorial-service-the-biggest-celebrity-send-off-of-all-time.html |archive-url= https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/michael-jackson/5771156/Michael-Jackson-memorial-service-the-biggest-celebrity-send-off-of-all-time.html |archive-date= January 10, 2022 |url-status= live}} {{cbignore}}</ref> [[Al Sharpton]] received a standing ovation with cheers when he told Jackson's children: "Wasn't nothing strange about your daddy. It was strange what your daddy had to deal with. But he dealt with it anyway."<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Andrew |last=Potter |title=There was nothing strange about your daddy |magazine=[[Maclean's]] |date=July 7, 2009 |access-date=March 16, 2013 |url=https://www.macleans.ca/general/there-was-nothing-strange-about-your-daddy/ |archive-date=April 9, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140409063726/http://www.macleans.ca/general/there-was-nothing-strange-about-your-daddy/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Jackson's 11-year-old daughter [[Paris Jackson|Paris Katherine]], speaking publicly for the first time, wept as she addressed the crowd.<ref>{{cite news |first=Tania |last=Branigan |title=Jackson spends £20m to be Invincible |newspaper=The Guardian |date=September 8, 2001 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2001/sep/08/taniabranigan |access-date=December 12, 2016 |archive-date=January 16, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116044622/http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2001/sep/08/taniabranigan |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=Top Moments: Michael Jackson Memorial |magazine=TV Guide |date=July 7, 2009 |access-date=May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.tvguide.com/News/Jackson-Memorial-Moments-1007748.aspx |archive-date=July 11, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090711071430/https://www.tvguide.com/News/Jackson-Memorial-Moments-1007748.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> Lucious Smith provided a closing prayer.<ref>{{cite web |title=Rev Lucious Smith on conducting the memorial service for Michael Jackson |publisher=[[Radio Live]] |date=June 28, 2010 |access-date=March 16, 2013 |url=https://www.radiolive.co.nz/Rev-Lucious-Smith-on-conducting-the-memorial-service-for-Michael-Jackson/tabid/506/articleID/14351/Default.aspx |archive-date=October 29, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029190850/http://www.radiolive.co.nz/Rev-Lucious-Smith-on-conducting-the-memorial-service-for-Michael-Jackson/tabid/506/articleID/14351/Default.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> On September 3, 2009, the body of Jackson was entombed at [[Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Glendale)|Forest Lawn Memorial Park]] in [[Glendale, California]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Mark |last=Coleman |title=Michael Jackson finally laid to rest in Los Angeles |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=September 4, 2009 |access-date= May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/michael-jackson/6136376/Michael-Jackson-finally-laid-to-rest-in-Los-Angeles.html |archive-url= https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/michael-jackson/6136376/Michael-Jackson-finally-laid-to-rest-in-Los-Angeles.html |archive-date= January 10, 2022 |url-status= live}} {{cbignore}}</ref> === Criminal investigation and prosecution of Conrad Murray === {{Main|People v. Murray}} In August 2009, the [[Los Angeles County Coroner]] ruled that Jackson's death was a [[homicide]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Tim |last=Reid |title=LA coroner to treat Michael Jackson's death as a homicide |newspaper=The Times |date=August 25, 2009 |url=https://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article6808546.ece |access-date= February 24, 2022 |archive-date= September 24, 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110924151131/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article6808546.ece |url-status= dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Jackson 'had lethal drug levels' |work=BBC News |date=August 25, 2009 |access-date=May 31, 2015 |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8219362.stm |archive-date=July 23, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150723063720/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8219362.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> Law enforcement officials [[People v. Murray|charged Murray]] with [[involuntary manslaughter]] on February 8, 2010.<ref>{{cite news |title=Michael Jackson's doctor denies manslaughter charge |work=[[BBC News]] |date=February 9, 2010 |access-date=May 31, 2015 |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8499143.stm |archive-date=June 12, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150612150646/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8499143.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> In late 2011, he was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter<ref>{{cite web |title=Conrad Murray guilty of Michael Jackson manslaughter |work=BBC News |date=November 8, 2011 |access-date=January 24, 2019 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-15624869 |archive-date=January 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190125082101/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-15624869 |url-status=live }}</ref> and held without bail to await sentencing.<ref>{{cite news |first1=Jack |last1=Leonard |first2=Andrew |last2=Blankstein |first3=Richard |last3=Winton |title=Conrad Murray could face significant prison time |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=November 8, 2011 |access-date=January 24, 2019 |url=https://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/11/conrad-murray-sentence-prison-term.html |archive-date=January 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190125073412/https://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/11/conrad-murray-sentence-prison-term.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Murray was sentenced to four years in prison.<ref>{{cite news |first=Martin |last=Kasindorf |title=Conrad Murray sentenced to four years in Jackson death |newspaper=[[USA Today]] |date=November 29, 2011 |access-date=January 24, 2019 |url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2011-11-29/michael-jackson-doctor-murray-sentencing/51469570/1?csp=34news |archive-date=May 7, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160507142932/http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2011-11-29/michael-jackson-doctor-murray-sentencing/51469570/1?csp=34news |url-status=live }}</ref> === Posthumous sales === At the [[American Music Awards of 2009|2009 American Music Awards]], Jackson won four posthumous awards, including two for his compilation album ''[[Number Ones (Michael Jackson album)|Number Ones]]'', bringing his total American Music Awards to 26.<ref>{{cite news |first=Todd |last=Martens |title=Taylor Swift, Michael Jackson dominate American Music Awards nominations [Updated] |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=October 13, 2009 |access-date=May 31, 2015 |url=https://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2009/10/taylor-swift-michael-jackson-dominate-american-music-awards-nominations.html |archive-date=October 15, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091015215823/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2009/10/taylor-swift-michael-jackson-dominate-american-music-awards-nominations.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=2009 American Music Awards: Scorecard |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |agency=Associated Press |date=November 22, 2009 |access-date=May 31, 2015 |url=https://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2009/11/2009-american-music-awards-scorecard.html |archive-date=July 21, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150721075648/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2009/11/2009-american-music-awards-scorecard.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In the year after his death, more than 16.1{{nbsp}}million copies of Jackson's albums were sold in the US alone, and 35{{nbsp}}million copies were sold worldwide, more than any other artist in 2009.<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Trevor |last=Anderson |title=Michael Jackson's Posthumous Career: 10 Numbers That Tell The Tale |magazine=Billboard |date=June 25, 2019 |access-date=August 22, 2021 |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/8517573/michael-jackson-10th-anniversary-death-by-the-numbers |archive-date=August 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210818162856/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/8517573/michael-jackson-10th-anniversary-death-by-the-numbers |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Jackson sells 35 million albums since death |work=Today |access-date=May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.today.com/id/37957972/ns/today-entertainment/ |archive-date=April 26, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150426221901/http://www.today.com/id/37957972/ns/today-entertainment/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He became the first artist to sell one million [[music download]]s in a week, with 2.6{{nbsp}}million song downloads. ''Thriller'', ''Number Ones'' and ''[[The Essential Michael Jackson]]'' became the first catalog albums to outsell any new album.<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Eliot |last=Van Buskirk |title=Michael Jackson First Artist to Sell Over 1 Million Downloads in a Single Week |magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] |date=July 1, 2009 |access-date=May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.wired.com/epicenter/2009/07/michael-jackson-first-to-sell-over-1-million-downloads-in-a-single-week/ |archive-date=October 4, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004214341/http://www.wired.com/epicenter/2009/07/michael-jackson-first-to-sell-over-1-million-downloads-in-a-single-week/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Jackson also became the first artist to have four of the top-20 bestselling albums in a single year in the US.<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Keith |last=Caulfield |title=Taylor Swift Edges Susan Boyle for 2009's Top-Selling Album |magazine=Billboard |date=January 6, 2010 |access-date=April 14, 2019 |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/960801/taylor-swift-edges-susan-boyle-for-2009s-top-selling-album |archive-date=April 27, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140427000452/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/960801/taylor-swift-edges-susan-boyle-for-2009s-top-selling-album |url-status=live }}</ref> Following the surge in sales, in March 2010, Sony Music signed a $250{{nbsp}}million deal (equivalent to ${{Format price|{{Inflation|US|250000000|2010|r=-7}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}}) with the [[Jackson estate]] to extend their distribution rights to Jackson's back catalog until at least 2017; it had been due to expire in 2015. It was the [[List of largest music deals|most expensive music contract]] for a single artist in history.<ref name="Sony" /><ref>{{cite news |title=Michael Jackson in 'record' $200m music deal |publisher=[[BBC]] |date=March 16, 2010 |access-date=May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/business/2010/03/100316_jackson_biz_music_deal.shtml |archive-date=November 5, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151105123016/http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/business/2010/03/100316_jackson_biz_music_deal.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> They agreed to release ten albums of previously unreleased material and new collections of released work.<ref name="Sony">{{cite news |first=Ethan |last=Smith |date=March 16, 2010 |title=Sony Places Big Bet on a Fallen 'King' |newspaper=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |access-date=May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704588404575124023860735864 |archive-date=February 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150224205802/http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704588404575124023860735864 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |first=Daniel |last=Kreps |title=Michael Jackson Estate, Sony Strike Massive $250 Million Deal to Release King of Pop's Music |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=March 16, 2010 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/michael-jackson-estate-sony-strike-massive-250-million-deal-to-release-king-of-pops-music-20100316 |access-date= September 4, 2017 |archive-date= November 7, 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171107025248/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/michael-jackson-estate-sony-strike-massive-250-million-deal-to-release-king-of-pops-music-20100316 |url-status= dead}}</ref> The deal was extended in 2017.<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Ed |last=Christman |title=Michael Jackson Estate, Sony Music Extend Partnership for Recordings |magazine=Billboard |date=December 14, 2017 |access-date=February 11, 2019 |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/8070535/michael-jackson-sony-music-partnership-future-releases-recordings |archive-date=April 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404084122/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/8070535/michael-jackson-sony-music-partnership-future-releases-recordings |url-status=live }}</ref> That July, a Los Angeles court awarded [[Quincy Jones]] $9.4{{nbsp}}million of disputed royalty payments for ''Off the Wall'', ''Thriller'', and ''Bad''.<ref name="Who's Bad" /> In July 2018, Sony/ATV bought the estate's stake in EMI for $287.5{{nbsp}}million.<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Ed |last=Christman |title=Sony Completes Acquisition of Michael Jackson Estate's Share of EMI Music Publishing |magazine=Billboard |date=July 31, 2018 |access-date=August 1, 2018 |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/8467902/sony-completes-acquisition-michael-jackson-estates-share-emi-music-publishing |archive-date=July 31, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731193138/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/8467902/sony-completes-acquisition-michael-jackson-estates-share-emi-music-publishing |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2014, Jackson became the first artist to have a top-ten single in the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 in five different decades.<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Gary |last=Trust |title=Michael Jackson, Coldplay Hit Hot 100's Top 10; John Legend Still No. 1 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |date=May 21, 2014 |access-date=May 23, 2014 |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6092276/michael-jackson-coldplay-hot-100-top-10-john-legend-no-1 |archive-date=July 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708170544/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6092276/michael-jackson-coldplay-hot-100-top-10-john-legend-no-1 |url-status=live }}</ref> The following year, ''Thriller'' became the first album to be certified for 30{{nbsp}}million shipments by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA).<ref name="RIAA" /> A year later, it was certified 33× platinum after [[Soundscan]] added streams and audio downloads to album certifications.<ref name="Certified">{{cite magazine |first=Hugh |last=McIntyre |title=Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' Has Now Been Certified 33-Times Platinum |magazine=Forbes |date=February 16, 2017 |access-date=July 9, 2017 |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2017/02/16/michael-jacksons-thriller-has-now-been-certified-33-times-platinum/ |archive-date=February 17, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170217064839/http://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2017/02/16/michael-jacksons-thriller-has-now-been-certified-33-times-platinum/ |url-status=live }}</ref>{{refn|In 2018, its US sales record was overtaken by [[Eagles (band)|the Eagles]]' album ''[[Their Greatest Hits (1971–1975)|Greatest Hits 1971–75]],'' with 38× platinum.<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Rhian |last=Daly |title=Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' is no longer the best-selling album of all time in the US |magazine=NME |date=August 20, 2018 |access-date=March 8, 2019 |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/michael-jackson-thriller-best-selling-album-2368877 |archive-date=September 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230923201517/https://www.nme.com/news/music/michael-jackson-thriller-best-selling-album-2368877 |url-status=live }}</ref>|group=nb}} In February 2024, Sony Music acquired half of Jackson's publishing rights and recording masters for an estimated $600{{nbsp}}million. The deal includes assets from Jackson's Mijac publishing catalog, but excludes royalties from several Jackson-related productions, including the ''MJ'' Broadway musical and the ''Michael'' biopic. The deal is possibly the largest transaction ever for a single musician's work.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Christman |first=Ed |date=February 9, 2024 |title=Sony Music Buys Stake in Michael Jackson Catalog, Valuing Rights at Over $1.2B |url=https://www.billboard.com/business/business-news/michael-jackson-estate-sells-music-rights-sony-valuation-1235604155/ |access-date=February 11, 2024 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |archive-date=February 11, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240211042139/https://www.billboard.com/business/business-news/michael-jackson-estate-sells-music-rights-sony-valuation-1235604155/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/09/arts/music/michael-jackson-catalog-sale-sony.html |title=Sony Reaches Blockbuster Deal for Michael Jackson's Catalog |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=February 9, 2024 |access-date=February 11, 2024 |last=Sisario |first=Ben |archive-date=February 11, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240211025007/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/09/arts/music/michael-jackson-catalog-sale-sony.html |url-status=live }}</ref> === Posthumous releases and productions === Jackson's posthumous releases and productions are administered by the [[estate of Michael Jackson]], which owns Jackson's trademarks and rights to his name, image and likeness.<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/business/legal/michael-jackson-estate-responds-sale-early-jackson-5-recording-1235546705/ |title=Michael Jackson Estate Says Digital Sale Of Early Jackson Recording Violates Estate Rights |date=December 8, 2023 |access-date=December 18, 2023 |magazine=Billboard |last1=Bain |first1=Katie |last2=Donahue |first2=Bill |archive-date=December 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231218135456/https://www.billboard.com/business/legal/michael-jackson-estate-responds-sale-early-jackson-5-recording-1235546705/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The first posthumous Jackson song, "[[This Is It (Michael Jackson song)|This Is It]]", co-written in the 1980s with [[Paul Anka]], was released in October 2009. The surviving Jackson brothers reunited to record backing vocals.<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Dean |last=Goodman |title='New' Michael Jackson Single Written in 1983 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |date=October 13, 2009 |access-date=March 8, 2019 |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/267087/new-michael-jackson-single-written-in-1983 |archive-date=July 5, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180705011143/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/267087/new-michael-jackson-single-written-in-1983 |url-status=live }}</ref> It was followed by a documentary film about the rehearsals for the canceled This Is It tour, ''[[Michael Jackson's This Is It]],''<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Joyce |last=Eng |title=Judge Approves Michael Jackson Film |magazine=[[TV Guide]] |date=August 10, 2009 |access-date= May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/michael-jackson-film-1008827/}}</ref> and [[Michael Jackson's This Is It (album)|a compilation album]].<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Monica |last=Herrera |title=New Michael Jackson Song, Album Due in October |magazine=Billboard |date=September 23, 2009 |access-date= May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/267308/new-michael-jackson-song-album-due-in-october}}</ref> Despite a limited two-week engagement, the film became the highest-grossing documentary or concert film ever, with earnings of more than {{Nowrap|$260 million}} worldwide.<ref>{{cite web |title=Michael Jackson's This Is It |publisher=[[Box Office Mojo]] |access-date= May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=michaeljacksonthisisit.htm}}</ref> Jackson's estate received 90% of the profits.<ref>{{cite press release |title=Judge OKs Jackson performance film deal |agency=Associated Press |date=August 10, 2010 |access-date= May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.today.com/id/32360110}}</ref> In late 2010, Sony released the first posthumous album, ''[[Michael (Michael Jackson album)|Michael]]'', and the promotional single "[[Breaking News (song)|Breaking News]]". The Jackson collaborator will.i.am expressed disgust, saying that Jackson would not have approved the release.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Exclusive: Will.i.am Explains His 'Disgust' for New Michael Jackson Album |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=December 13, 2010 |access-date= March 23, 2019 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/exclusive-will-i-am-explains-his-disgust-for-new-michael-jackson-album-20101213 |archive-date= September 19, 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110919065010/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/exclusive-will-i-am-explains-his-disgust-for-new-michael-jackson-album-20101213 |url-status= dead}}</ref> The video game developer [[Ubisoft]] released a [[music video game|music game]] featuring Jackson for the 2010 holiday season, ''[[Michael Jackson: The Experience]]''. It was among the first games to use [[Kinect]] and [[PlayStation Move]], the motion-detecting camera systems for [[Xbox 360]] and [[PlayStation 3]].<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Michael Jackson Fans Will Moonwalk in Motion-Sensing Game |magazine=Billboard |agency=Associated Press |date=June 15, 2010 |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/957768/michael-jackson-fans-will-moonwalk-in-motion-sensing-game}}</ref> In April 2011, [[Mohamed Al-Fayed]], the chairman of [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham Football Club]], unveiled a [[Fulham statue of Michael Jackson|statue of Jackson]] outside the club stadium, [[Craven Cottage]].<ref name="Fulham">{{cite news |title=Michael Jackson Fulham FC statue defended by Al Fayed |work=BBC News |date=April 3, 2011 |access-date= May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-12950708}}</ref> It was moved to the [[National Football Museum]] in Manchester in May 2014,<ref>{{cite news |title=Michael Jackson statue moves to National Football Museum |work=BBC News |date=May 6, 2014 |access-date= February 13, 2016 |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/27302594}}</ref> and removed from display in March 2019 following renewed sexual assault allegations.<ref>{{cite news |title=Michael Jackson statue: National Football Museum removes artwork |work=BBC News |date=March 6, 2019 |access-date= March 8, 2019 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-47468074}}</ref> In October 2011, the theater company [[Cirque du Soleil]] launched ''[[Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour]],'' a $57-million production,<ref>{{cite news |title=Cirque plans $57M touring Jackson show |publisher=CBC News |date=November 3, 2010 |access-date= May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/arts/music/story/2010/11/03/cirque-michael-jackson-immortal-tour.html}}</ref> in Montreal, with a permanent show [[Residency show|resident]] in Las Vegas.<ref>{{cite news |first=Tony |last=Hicks |title=People: Cirque du Soleil mounting Michael Jackson tour |newspaper=Mercury News |date=November 3, 2010 |access-date= November 7, 2010 |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/entertainment-headlines/ci_16517946}}</ref> A larger and more theatrical Cirque show, ''[[Michael Jackson: One]],'' designed for residency at the [[Mandalay Bay]] resort in Las Vegas, opened on May 23, 2013, in a renovated theater.<ref>{{cite news |first=Chris |last=Jones |title='Michael Jackson One' in Las Vegas: Cirque du Soleil refinds its way |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |date=July 13, 2013 |access-date= May 31, 2015 |url=https://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-07-13/entertainment/ct-ae-0714-jones-20130713_1_viva-elvis-cirque-du-soleil-cirque-show}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |first=Zack |last=O'Malley Greenburg |title=Michael Jackson's New Vegas Show 'One' Will Double The Fun |magazine=Forbes |date=February 2, 2013 |access-date= May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/zackomalleygreenburg/2013/02/22/michael-jacksons-new-vegas-show-one-will-double-the-fun/}}</ref> In 2012, in an attempt to end a family dispute, Jackson's brother Jermaine retracted his signature on a public letter criticizing executors of Jackson's estate and his mother's advisors over the legitimacy of his brother's will.<ref>{{cite news |title=Jermaine calls for an end to Jackson family feud |work=BBC News |date=August 2, 2012 |access-date= May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-19091521}}</ref> T.J. Jackson, the son of Tito Jackson, was given co-guardianship of Michael Jackson's children after false reports of Katherine Jackson going missing.<ref>{{cite news |title=Michael Jackson nephew made co-guardian of children |work=BBC News |date=August 23, 2012 |access-date= May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-19353588}}</ref> ''[[Xscape (album)|Xscape]]'', an album of unreleased material, was released on May 13, 2014.<ref>{{cite news |title=New Michael Jackson album to be released in May |work=BBC News |date=March 31, 2014 |access-date= May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-26824983}}</ref> The lead single, a duet between Jackson and [[Justin Timberlake]], "[[Love Never Felt So Good]]", reached number 9 on the US ''Billboard'' Hot 100, making Jackson the first artist to have a top-10 single on the chart in five different decades.<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Gary |last=Trust |title=Michael Jackson, Coldplay Hit Hot 100's Top 10; John Legend Still No. 1 |magazine=Billboard |date=May 21, 2014 |access-date= May 1, 2020 |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6092276/michael-jackson-coldplay-hot-100-top-10-john-legend-no-1}}</ref> Later in 2014, [[Queen (band)|Queen]] released a duet recorded with Jackson in the 1980s.<ref name="Greene" /> A compilation album, ''[[Scream (Michael Jackson album)|Scream]]'', was released on September 29, 2017.<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Elias |last=Leight |title=Michael Jackson's Estate Details 'Scream' Compilation |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=September 6, 2017 |access-date= September 29, 2017 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/michael-jacksons-estate-details-scream-compilation-w501394 |archive-date= September 6, 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170906181442/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/michael-jacksons-estate-details-scream-compilation-w501394 |url-status= dead}}</ref> A [[jukebox musical]], ''[[MJ the Musical]]'', premiered on Broadway in 2022.<ref>{{cite web |author=BWW News Desk |title=MJ the Musical on Broadway Postponed to September 2021 |website=[[BroadwayWorld]] |date=October 9, 2020 |access-date= April 4, 2021 |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/MJ-THE-MUSICAL-Announces-New-Broadway-Dates-20201009}}</ref> [[Myles Frost]] won the 2022 [[Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical]] for his portrayal of Jackson.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2022/jun/13/tony-awards-2022-the-full-list-of-winners |title=Tony awards 2022: the full list of winners |date=June 13, 2022 |access-date=June 22, 2022 |work=The Guardian}}</ref> On November 18, 2022, a [[Thriller 40|40th-anniversary edition reissue of ''Thriller'']] was released.<ref>{{cite magazine |author=Gail Mitchell |date=May 16, 2022 |title=Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' Celebrates 40th Anniversary With Double-CD Set |url=https://www.billboard.com/business/record-labels/michael-jackson-thriller-40th-anniversary-double-cd-1235071667/ |url-status=live |magazine=Billboard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222181513/https://www.billboard.com/business/record-labels/michael-jackson-thriller-40th-anniversary-double-cd-1235071667/ |archive-date=December 22, 2022 |access-date=May 16, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=November 18, 2022 |title=Thriller 40 – A Double CD Set Of Michael Jackson's Original Masterpiece Thriller & Bonus Disc Out Now |url=https://www.legacyrecordings.com/2022/11/18/thriller-40-a-double-cd-set-of-michael-jacksons-original-masterpiece-thriller-bonus-disc-out-now/ |access-date=November 19, 2022 |website=Legacy Recordings |quote=Immersive audio mixes of Thriller are now available at various DSPs, including 360 Reality Audio on Amazon, Spatial Audio on Apple Music, mixed by Serban Ghenea from the original masters for immersive audio, with the immersive mixes by John Hanes.}}</ref> A biographical film based on Jackson's life, ''[[Michael (2025 film)|Michael]]'', was due to enter production through [[Lionsgate]] in 2023, but it was put on hold amid the [[2023 SAG-AFTRA strike|SAG-AFTRA strike]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/movies/jaafar-jackson-uncanny-resemblance-uncle-michael-jackson-biopic/ |title=Jaafar Jackson's resemblance to uncle Michael Jackson is 'uncanny' in biopic, director says |date=August 31, 2023 |access-date=September 18, 2023 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |last=Wang |first=Jessica}}</ref> It will be directed by [[Antoine Fuqua]], produced by [[Graham King]] and written by [[John Logan (writer)|John Logan]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Horton |first=Adrian |date=January 18, 2023 |title=Michael Jackson big screen biopic will start production this year |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/jan/18/michael-jackson-biopic-antoine-fuqua |access-date=January 25, 2023 |newspaper=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> Jackson will be played by [[Jaafar Jackson]], son of Jackson's brother Jermaine. ''[[Deadline Hollywood]]'' reported that the film "will not shy away from the controversies of Jackson's life".<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Fleming |first=Mike Jr. |date=January 30, 2023 |title=Michael Jackson Nephew Jaafar Jackson To Play King Of Pop In Antoine Fuqua-Directed Biopic |url=https://deadline.com/2023/01/michael-jackson-nephew-jaafar-jackson-portray-king-of-pop-in-antoine-fuqua-directed-movie-lionsgate-1235244128/ |access-date=January 30, 2023 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]}}</ref> === Posthumous child sexual abuse allegations === [[File:Michaeljackson1.jpg|thumb|alt=A smiling Jackson wears a blue baseball cap and a red shirt. On his right are two women. One holds a pen, and one holds a small purse. On his left, a young boy looks off-camera. He is dressed in a red shirt, too. Jackson's hand is on his shoulder.|Jackson and Safechuck (right) in Honolulu, Hawaii in 1988]] In 2013, choreographer [[Wade Robson]] filed a lawsuit alleging that Jackson had sexually abused him for seven years, beginning when he was seven years old (1989–1996).<ref>{{cite news |title=Choreographer: Michael Jackson 'sexually abused me' |work=[[Today (American TV program)|Today]] |date=May 16, 2013 |access-date= October 21, 2017 |url=https://www.today.com/video/choreographer-michael-jackson-sexually-abused-me-30450243877}}</ref> In 2014, a case was filed by James Safechuck, alleging sexual abuse over a four-year period from the age of ten (1988–1992).<ref>{{cite news |first=Alroy |last=Menezes |title=James Safechuck Alleges Sexual Abuse By Michael Jackson, Sues Singer's Estate |work=[[International Business Times]] |date=August 6, 2014 |access-date= May 30, 2019 |url=https://www.ibtimes.com/james-safechuck-alleges-sexual-abuse-michael-jackson-sues-singers-estate-1650260}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Ken |last=Stone |title=Sex abuse by long-dead Michael Jackson? Judge rejects lawsuit |website=MyNewsLA.com |date=July 7, 2017 |access-date= March 15, 2019 |url=https://mynewsla.com/crime/2017/07/07/sex-abuse-by-long-dead-michael-jackson-judge-rejects-lawsuit/}}</ref><ref name="indie abuse">{{cite news |first=Jenn |last=Selby |title=Michael Jackson hit with new child sex abuse claims more than five years after his death |newspaper=The Independent |date=August 6, 2014 |access-date= March 15, 2019 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/michael-jackson-hit-with-new-sex-abuse-claims-five-years-after-his-death-9650832.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220514/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/michael-jackson-hit-with-new-sex-abuse-claims-five-years-after-his-death-9650832.html |archive-date=May 14, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live}}</ref> Both had testified in Jackson's defense during the 1993 allegations; Robson did so again in 2005.<ref>{{cite news |first=John M. |last=Broder |title=2 Witnesses Say They Shared Jackson's Bed and Were Never Molested |newspaper=The New York Times |date=May 6, 2005 |access-date= May 31, 2015 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/06/us/2-witnesses-say-they-shared-jacksons-bed-and-were-never-molested.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |first=Nicole |last=Sperling |title='Michael Is Everywhere': Two Michael Jackson Accusers Explain Why They're Speaking Out in HBO's ''Leaving Neverland'' |magazine=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]] |date=February 21, 2019 |access-date= March 15, 2019 |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2019/02/michael-jackson-accusers-explain-speaking-out-hbo-leaving-neverland}}</ref> In 2015, Robson's case against Jackson's estate was dismissed as it had been filed too late. Safechuck's claim was also time-barred.<ref>{{cite web |title=Safechuck Ruling Demurrer Dismissal |via=[[Scribd]] |date=June 28, 2017 |access-date= May 28, 2019 |url=https://www.scribd.com/document/353219745/Safechuck-Ruling-Demurrer-Dismissal}}</ref> In 2017, it was ruled that Jackson's corporations could not be held accountable for his alleged past actions.<ref>{{cite press release |first=Andrew |last=Dalton |title=APNewsBreak: Michael Jackson Sex Abuse Lawsuit Dismissed |agency=Associated Press |date=December 20, 2017 |access-date= December 21, 2017 |url=https://www.usnews.com/news/entertainment/articles/2017-12-19/apnewsbreak-michael-jackson-sex-abuse-lawsuit-dismissed}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Michael Jackson sex abuse lawsuit dismissed |publisher=[[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation]] |date=December 19, 2017 |access-date= December 21, 2017 |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/michael-jackson-molestation-lawsuit-dismissed-1.4457632}}</ref> The rulings were appealed. On October 20, 2020, Safechuck's lawsuit against Jackson's corporations was again dismissed. The judge ruled that there was no evidence that Safechuck had had a relationship with Jackson's corporation, nor was it proven that there was a special relationship between the two.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2020/10/21/michael-jackson-judge-dismisses-leaving-neverland-accusers-lawsuit/3722576001/ |title='Leaving Neverland' accuser James Safechuck's lawsuit against Michael Jackson's companies dismissed |first=Andrea |last=Mandel |newspaper=USA Today |date=October 21, 2020 |accessdate=January 13, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |title=Lawsuit of Michael Jackson sexual abuse accuser dismissed |work=Associated Press News |date=October 23, 2020 |access-date= October 26, 2020 |url=https://www.apnews.com/article/los-angeles-lawsuits-james-safechuck-michael-jackson-california-4cd85607e8dc1366f09ae51a8af6d1d2}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Kate |last=Feldman |title=Michael Jackson estate tries to block documentarian from filming 'Leaving Neverland' sequel: report |newspaper=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]] |location=New York |date=October 21, 2020 |access-date= October 31, 2020 |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/snyde/ny-finding-neverland-michael-jackson-20201021-7dvxdgtqibbpvgkq2lcbg5srca-story.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Jake |last=Kanter |title='Leaving Neverland' Director Dan Reed Fights Subpoenas as He Shoots Sequel to Channel 4/HBO's Michael Jackson Film |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |date=October 21, 2020 |access-date= October 31, 2020 |url=https://deadline.com/2020/10/leaving-neverland-director-dan-reed-shooting-follow-up-film-1234599714/}}</ref> On April 26, 2021, Robson's case was dismissed because of a lack of supporting evidence that the defendants exercised control over Jackson.<ref>{{cite news |first=Andrew |last=Dalton |title=Judge tosses lawsuit of man who alleged Jackson molestation |work=ABC News |agency=Associated Press |date=April 27, 2021 |access-date= April 28, 2021 |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/judge-tosses-lawsuit-man-alleged-jackson-molestation-77329272}}</ref> Robson and Safechuck described their allegations against Jackson in graphic detail in the documentary ''[[Leaving Neverland]]'', released in March 2019.<ref>{{cite news |first=Charlie |last=Haynes |title=Michael Jackson 'abused us hundreds of times' |date=February 28, 2019 |access-date= March 8, 2019 |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-47403951}}</ref> Radio stations in New Zealand, Canada, the UK and the Netherlands removed Jackson's music from their playlists.<ref name="PR blitz">{{cite news |first=Lanre |last=Bakare |title=Michael Jackson estate launches PR blitz as documentary airs in UK |newspaper=The Guardian |date=March 7, 2019 |access-date= March 8, 2019 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/mar/07/michael-jackson-estate-adverts-lawsuits-interviews-leaving-neverland-airs}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Eleanor Ainge |last=Roy |title=Michael Jackson songs pulled from radio stations in New Zealand and Canada |newspaper=The Guardian |date=March 6, 2019 |access-date= March 8, 2019 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/mar/05/michael-jackson-abuse-allegations-canada-radio-stations-ban-music}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Janene |last=Pieters |title=First Dutch radio station boycotts Michael Jackson music |work=NL Times |date=March 6, 2019 |access-date= April 14, 2019 |url=https://nltimes.nl/2019/03/06/first-dutch-radio-station-boycotts-michael-jackson-music}}</ref> Jackson's family condemned the film as a "public lynching",<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Michael Jackson's Family Calls 'Leaving Neverland' Documentary a 'Public Lynching' |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=January 28, 2019 |access-date= January 29, 2019 |url=https://variety.com/2019/music/news/michael-jackson-family-leaving-neverland-public-lynching-1203120387/}}</ref> and the Jackson estate released a statement calling the film a "tabloid character assassination [Jackson] endured in life, and now in death".<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Daniel |last=Kreps |title=Michael Jackson Estate Slams 'Leaving Neverland': 'Tabloid Character Assassination' |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=January 26, 2019 |access-date= July 21, 2019 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/michael-jackson-estate-leaving-neverland-tabloid-character-assassination-784968/}}</ref> Close associates of Jackson, such as [[Corey Feldman]], [[Aaron Carter]], Brett Barnes, and [[Macaulay Culkin]], said that Jackson had not molested them.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Corey Feldman Guards Michael Jackson After 'Leaving Neverland' Airs |magazine=Vibe |date=March 4, 2019 |access-date= September 21, 2019 |url=https://www.vibe.com/2019/03/corey-feldman-michael-jackson-leaving-neverland}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Maeve |last=McDermott |title=Aaron Carter defends Michael Jackson after saying the star did one 'inappropriate' thing |newspaper=USA Today |date=May 22, 2019 |access-date= September 21, 2019 |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2019/05/22/aaron-carter-defends-michael-jackson-after-comment-makes-waves/3765213002/}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Leaving Neverland: who is Brett Barnes, Michael Jackson's 'other boy'? |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=March 8, 2019 |access-date= September 21, 2019 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/0/leaving-neverland-brett-barnes-jacksons-boy/ |archive-date= January 10, 2022 |archive-url= https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/0/leaving-neverland-brett-barnes-jacksons-boy/ |url-status= live}} {{cbignore}}</ref> Documentaries such as ''[[Square One: Michael Jackson]]'', ''[[Neverland Firsthand: Investigating the Michael Jackson Documentary]]'' and ''[[Michael Jackson: Chase the Truth]]'', presented information countering the claims suggested by ''Leaving Neverland''.<ref>{{cite news |title='Square One', el documental que "desmonta" las acusaciones de pederastia sobre Michael Jackson |date=October 16, 2019 |url=https://www.abc.es/play/cine/noticias/abci-square-documental-desmonta-acusaciones-pederastia-sobre-michael-jackson-201910161743_noticia_amp.html |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Adam |last=Wallis |title=Jackson family responds to 'Leaving Neverland' in 30-minute YouTube documentary |publisher=[[Global News]] |date=April 8, 2019 |access-date= October 31, 2020 |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/5141785/neverland-firsthand/}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |first=Andrew |last=Trendell |title=New documentary 'Chase the Truth' defending Michael Jackson is released |magazine=[[NME]] |date=August 15, 2019 |access-date= October 31, 2020 |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/new-documentary-chase-truth-defending-michael-jackson-released-2538518}}</ref> Jackson's album sales increased following the documentary screenings.<ref>{{cite news |first=Jack |last=Shepherd |title=Michael Jackson albums climb the charts following Leaving Neverland broadcast |newspaper=The Independent |date=March 9, 2019 |access-date= July 21, 2019 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/michael-jackson-album-charts-leaving-neverland-child-sex-allegations-a8815081.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220514/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/michael-jackson-album-charts-leaving-neverland-child-sex-allegations-a8815081.html |archive-date=May 14, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live}}</ref> ''Billboard'' senior editor Gail Mitchell said she and a colleague interviewed about thirty music executives who believed Jackson's legacy could withstand the controversy.<ref>{{cite news |first=Jonathan Jr. |last=Landrum |title=Michael Jackson's popularity endures, even after new scandal |newspaper=[[The Japan Times]] |date=June 24, 2019 |access-date=July 21, 2019 |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2019/06/24/entertainment-news/michael-jacksons-popularity-endures-even-new-scandal/ |archive-date=July 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190721070116/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2019/06/24/entertainment-news/michael-jacksons-popularity-endures-even-new-scandal/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> In late 2019, some New Zealand and Canadian radio stations re-added Jackson's music to their playlists, citing "positive listener survey results".<ref>{{cite web |first=Teresa |last=Ramsey |title=Michael Jackson songs back on New Zealand radio airwaves |website=[[Stuff (company)|Stuff]] |date=November 14, 2019 |access-date= November 29, 2019 |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/117143093/michael-jackson-songs-back-on-new-zealand-radio-airwaves}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Marc-André |last=Lemieux |title=Fin du boycottage de Michael Jackson |newspaper=[[Le Journal de Montréal]] |date=October 29, 2019 |access-date= December 30, 2019 |url=https://www.journaldemontreal.com/2019/10/29/fin-du-boycott-de-michael-jackson |language=fr}}</ref> On February 21, 2019, the Jackson estate sued HBO for breaching a non-disparagement clause from a 1992 contract. The suit sought to compel HBO to participate in a non-confidential arbitration that could result in $100{{nbsp}}million or more in damages awarded to the estate.<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Eriq |last=Gardner |title=Michael Jackson Estate Sues HBO Over 'Leaving Neverland' Documentary |magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=February 21, 2019 |access-date= September 21, 2019 |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/michael-jackson-estate-sues-hbo-violating-disparagement-deal-1188759}}</ref> HBO said they did not breach a contract and filed an anti-[[Strategic lawsuit against public participation|SLAPP]] motion against the estate. In September 2019, Judge [[George H. Wu]] denied HBO's motion to dismiss the case, allowing the Jackson estate to arbitrate.<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Claudia |last=Rosenbaum |title='Leaving Neverland' Judge Sides with Michael Jackson Estate, Compelling HBO to Arbitration |magazine=Billboard |date=September 20, 2019 |access-date= May 6, 2021 |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/legal-and-management/8530658/leaving-neverland-ruling-michael-jackson-hbo-arbitration/}}</ref> HBO appealed, but in December 2020 the appeals court affirmed Wu's ruling.<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Ashley |last=Cullins |title=HBO Loses Appellate Bid to Avoid Arbitration with Michael Jackson Estate in 'Leaving Neverland' Dispute |magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=December 14, 2020 |access-date= April 11, 2021 |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/hbo-loses-appellate-bid-to-avoid-arbitration-with-michael-jackson-estate-in-leaving-neverland-dispute}}</ref> In 2020, a state law passed in California which granted plaintiffs in child sex abuse cases an additional period to file lawsuits. In October 2020 and again in April 2021, the [[Los Angeles County Superior Court]] ruled that MJJ Productions Inc. and MJJ Ventures Inc. employees were not legally obligated to protect the two men from Jackson. In August 2023, California's Second District Court of Appeal overturned the ruling, and the case was approved to move forward to [[trial court]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/18/arts/music/michael-jackson-sexual-abuse-lawsuits.html |title=Sexual Abuse Suits Against Michael Jackson's Companies Are Revived |first1=Christopher |last1=Kuo |date=August 18, 2023 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> Summary: Please note that all contributions to Christianpedia may be edited, altered, or removed by other contributors. If you do not want your writing to be edited mercilessly, then do not submit it here. You are also promising us that you wrote this yourself, or copied it from a public domain or similar free resource (see Christianpedia:Copyrights for details). 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