Michael Jackson's former bodyguard, Jimmy Van Norman, has come to the late pop star's defense amid renewed scrutiny sparked by the upcoming release of the documentary Leaving Neverland 2: Surviving Michael Jackson, set to premiere on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, on Real Stories YouTube. The follow-up to the controversial 2019 film revisits molestation claims made by former child stars Wade Robson and James Safechuck, but Van Norman is adamant the allegations are unfounded, dismissing the accusers as opportunists.
During his decade of service as Jackson's security detail, Van Norman claims he never witnessed any inappropriate behavior involving children at Jackson's famed Neverland Ranch. "If I ever thought anything untoward was going on with children, I would've freaking killed him myself," he stated emphatically. He argued the accusations by Robson and Safechuck are nothing more than attempts to cash in, elaborately stating, "Wade is someone who thinks everybody owes him. Nobody owes him a dime. It is a money grab."
Robson and Safechuck, both of whom filed lawsuits against Jackson's production company, MJJ Productions, assert they were sexually abused as children by the superstar. The cases have twice been dismissed but were reinstated, illustrating the complications surrounding these long-standing claims. Reflecting on their history, Robson has indicated Jackson's staff and bodyguards might have ignored the alleged abuse. "There were so many times...that bodyguards were right outside of the door when the abuse was going on," he revealed.
Despite these damaging claims, Van Norman maintains his conviction about Jackson's innocence. He reminisced about his time at Neverland, emphasizing how Robson, often seen accompanied by his mother during visits, always appeared happy. Van Norman stressed, "Michael was just generous and kind to children," recalling Jackson’s support for a young cancer-stricken boy he had never even met.
Jackson's legacy, significantly marred by accusations of pedophilia since 1993, faces renewed scrutiny with the forthcoming documentary. Van Norman noted, "They waited until after Michael died because he could not defend himself." This remark highlights concerns over the timing of the accusations and the impact of Jackson's death on the narrative surrounding his life.
For many, Jackson’s life is divided between his legendary career and the storm of legal issues he faced. The late pop star was acquitted of all charges during his high-profile trial involving 13-year-old Gavin Arvizo back in 2005. Robson and Safechuck served as defense witnesses during the trial, when Jackson was charged with multiple counts of child molestation, yet he did not serve any jail time. Van Norman sees their continued claims as part of the “sensationalism” aimed at tarnishing Jackson's image posthumously.
Though Jackson's career took off as he became the King of Pop, it was also shadowed by serious allegations. He settled with the family of Jordan Chandler out of court for $23 million after being accused of molestation, and the impact of these allegations on his life cannot be overstated. According to Van Norman, Jackson was desperate to reclaim the childhood he lost, saying, "Michael was a little kid himself... he did not have normalcy growing up." This sentiment reveals the complex psychology of Jackson and his need for companionship with younger children.
Still, Van Norman does not shy away from acknowledging the errors Jackson made. He believes Jackson should have avoided hosting young guests at his estate after settling the 1994 case, acknowledging the long-running consequences of those decisions. "He was told it was easier to settle it rather than deal with all the media coverage of the claims," Van Norman explained, demonstrating the internal conflict Jackson faced balancing his fame and accusations against him.
Currently, Van Norman is developing his own project inspired by his time with Jackson—a film or TV series based on his experiences, which he describes as both comedic and heartfelt. He is also involved with the initiative Demand Peace, sharing messages about maintaining positivity and bringing awareness to issues of war and violence. "It doesn't take much to be nice to people... We do not need wars; if they want wars, let the old two old guys fight it out rather than youngsters being sent there in the army," he said, expressing his desire for contributing to reconciling societal issues.
Overall, the release of Leaving Neverland 2 certainly revitalizes discussions around Michael Jackson's controversial legacy, and as the narrative garners public attention once more, defenders like Van Norman continue to invoke the late singer’s humanity and kindness. "Michael was such a kind, sweet, giving person. Why would they want to hurt him and his family after his death?" he defended.
With fervent supporters on both sides of the debate, as well as the larger cultural discourse around child safety and celebrity, the intrigue around Jackson's legacy remains firmly mixed with advocacy for justice. The upcoming documentary is bound to keep audiences engaged as more faces reveal their stories and perspectives about Michael Jackson’s life and the accusations he faced.
