Who Is Brett Barnes? New Details About The Boy Who 'Replaced' Wade Robson In The MJ 'Leaving Neverland' Documentary
He's another victim of Michael Jackson.
Instagram The HBO documentary Leaving Neverland takes an unflinching look at the sexual abuse allegations against the late Michael Jackson. The film tells the story of Wade Robson and James Safechuck, who both accuse Michael Jackson of sexually abusing them. They describe the details of their allegeded sexual encounters with the pop superstar. Robson and Safechuck said that Jackson brought in Brett Barnes and Macaulay Culkin as replacements for them when they got older. Who is Brett Barnes and where is he today?
1. He knew Wade Robson
There are no recent interviews or statements from Brett Barnes. That said, E! News reported that when he was 11-years-old, Barnes was a part of a news conference with Wade Robson. At the time, Barnes reported that his relationship with Jackson wasn't sexual. "He kissed you like you kiss your mother. It's not unusual for him to hug, kiss, and nuzzle up to you and stuff," he told reporters.
2. He never accused Michael Jackson
The estate of Michael Jackson is suing HBO and director Dan Reed for airing the documentary and released a statement in response to the allegations in Leaving Neverland. The statement pointed out that the filmmakers didn't interview people like Brett Barnes who never accused Jackson of molesting them. "Tellingly, the director admitted at the Sundance Film Festival that he limited his interviews only to these accusers and their families. In doing so, he intentionally avoided interviewing numerous people over the years who spent significant time with Michael Jackson and have unambiguously stated that he treated children with respect and did nothing hurtful to them. By choosing not to include any of these independent voices who might challenge the narrative that he was determined to sell, the director neglected fact-checking so he could craft a narrative so blatantly one-sided that viewers never get anything close to a balanced portrait."
3. He met Michael Jackson when he was 5
Brett Barnes is 37 today. He has denied ever having sexual contact with Michael Jackson. According to the book Be Careful Who You. Love: Inside the Michael Jackson Case, Barnes met the singer in 1987. He was five-years-old. He wrote a fan letter to Jackson and gave it to one of his backup dancers after a concert. Jackson soon contacted Barnes and they spoke on the phone and became friends. Barnes and his family visited Neverland Ranch in 1989.
RELATED: Who Is Dan Reed? New Details On The Director Of The Michael Jackson Documentary 'Leaving Neverland'
4. He has defended Jackson
When Jordan Chandler accused Michael Jackson of molesting him in 1993, Brett Barnes was one of the children who spoke in defense of the singer. In an interview, Barnes spoke about the sleeping arrangement he and Jackson had. He said that he “slept on one side of the bed” while Jackson “slept on the other” and he did not find it unusual. Barnes also testified on Jackson's behalf during the 2005 trial. On the witness stand he said that Jackson had "absolutely not" molested him or touched him in any inappropriate way. The last known photos of Barnes are from the 2005 trial.
5. No social media
Brett Barnes does not seem to have much or a social media presence at all other than unverified Twitter and IG accounts that popped up recently to defend Michael Jackson. It is highly unlikely that the Twitter and Insta accounts @IAmBrettBarnes IS Brett Barnes.
Amy Lamare is a Los Angeles based freelance writer covering entertainment, pop culture, beauty, fashion, fitness, technology, and the intersection of technology, business, and philanthropy. She is deeply devoted to her chocolate Labrador and an avid long distance runner. You can find her on Instagram and Facebook.