Michael Jackson will remain in Rock & Roll Hall of Fame despite molestation allegations
Jackson was inducted into the Hall of Fame twice during his career.
Not everyone is in favor of muting Michael Jackson.
Following the fallout from HBO’s “Leaving Neverland” documentary, Madame Tussauds made the decision to keep the late King of Pop’s wax figures on display at its tourist attractions despite criticism. Now, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is also siding with Jackson and will not remove his likeness from the exhibit in Cleveland, Ohio.
Sources told TMZ the decision was made taking into account Jackson’s legacy and imprint on music, not the allegations of child molestation made in the recent HBO documentary. Jackson was first inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1997 as part of the Jackson 5 and again as a solo artist in 2001. Both times, he was recognized for his “musical excellence and talent” and his “lasting impact on rock ‘n’ roll,” the source explained.
The timing of the decision comes just one week before Janet Jackson is set to be inducted into the Hall of Fame on Friday (March 29) at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center. Janelle Monáe has been tapped to introduce Jackson at the annual event which will air on HBO on April 27. The “Rhythm Nation” singer has yet to address the “Leaving Neverland” controversy.
On Saturday (March 16), it was reported that Jackson’s daughter, Paris, was hospitalized after a suicide attempt. Sources told TMZ the 20-year-old was upset by the recent allegations made against her late father. She has denied the reports and Jackson’s children are reportedly considering taking legal action against the two accusers.
In light of the Dan Reed-directed film, Jackson’s music has been banned from radio stations around the world and his song with Drake was pulled from the Toronto native’s tour setlist earlier this month. Jackson’s estate has filed a $100 million lawsuit against HBO claiming the documentary denigrated the late singer’s reputation.