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Corey Feldman, Former Childhood Friend Of Michael Jackson, Slams ‘Leaving Neverland’

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“L eaving Neverland ” premiered Sunday and Monday on HBO and the documentary shocked the world with graphic accusations of long-rumored child abuse allegations against Michael Jackson . Many people have been speaking out about the documentary, including Corey Feldman , who was a child actor when he and Jackson became friends in the 1980s. See Also:  ‘I Thought It Was A Hoax’: Sparkle Talks R. Kelly’s Marriage To Aaliyah Feldman, who is most known for the 1985 film “The Goonies” told Page Six he was never assaulted by Jackson. “What happened with me [and Jackson] was strictly aboveboard,” Feldman said in the interview published Tuesday. “We’d be on the phone for hours. You’re talking about someone who has spent their life in the industry, who grew up in the industry and didn’t have a childhood and have friends and have sleepovers, I could relate. That was my life. We both came from abuse — abusive homes. There is not a lot of kindred minds that can connect on those levels or achieve the success he had. That was the common ground we shared.” He continued, “I am not saying they are lying. I wasn’t there. I can only go based on my experiences. Every victim’s voice must be taken seriously and must be heard. In no way would I ever intimate that I would want them to be silenced.” The 47-year-old added, “If God forbid these things were true, then there is a completely different Michael that I knew. I guess anything in the world of pedophilia is possible. All I can say is my heart goes out to both of them — and if for any reason the things are proven true, I would be in full support of them.” That said, he explained, “I don’t think we can go jumping on a bandwagon without evidence. That’s why there are court cases and cross-examinations … when [Jackson] was on trial [ending in 2005], he was cleared of all the charges … I don’t think anyone can take [the allegations] lightly, but I also don’t think we should go making a judgment on information we have that’s strictly conversation without backup.” Feldman blasted the parents. “To me, the most shocking and appalling part of this whole thing are the actions and misdeeds made by the parents of both children, and the decision to allow their kids to be unaccompanied in the presence of an adult they did not know and trust,” Feldman said. “As a father, I could not ever imagine allowing my child to go off with a grown man I did not consider as close as family without any adult supervision. Not even Michael Jackson. It comes down to trading your kids out for an opportunity, and making them the focus of your financial interests, as opposed to the child’s wellbeing.” Feldman did say he and Jackson slept in the same room, but the singer slept on a cot. Feldman tweeted Monday that the documentary was more like “la la” land and that it was one-sided. #Neverland OK I WATCHED IT ALL I KNOW IS WHAT I EXPERIENCED, & YES EVERY EXPERIENCE WAS THE SAME….RIGHT UP 2 THE SEX PART! THAT IS WHERE IT BECOMES LALA LAND, INSTEAD OF NEVERLAND 4 ME. WE NEVER SPOKE ABOUT SEX OTHER THAN A FEW WARNINGS ABOUT HOW SEX WAS SCARY, & DANGEROUS. MJ — Corey Feldman (@Corey_Feldman) March 4, 2019 HOWEVER I DO TAKE ISSUE WITH THE FACT THAT THIS WHOLE THING IS 1 SIDED W NO CHANCE OF A DEFENSE FROM A DEAD MAN, & NO EVIDENCE OTHER THAN THE WORD OF 2 MEN WHO AS ADULTS DEFENDED HIM IN COURT! BUT AS WE WILL NEVER REALLY KNOW, I ONLY HAV — Corey Feldman (@Corey_Feldman) March 4, 2019 According to TMZ , Brett Barnes , who knew Jackson when he was a child, threatened HBO with a lawsuit “claiming the documentary puts him in a false light and subjects him to ‘hatred, contempt and ridicule.’ Presumably, the lawyer is saying MJ supporters will target Barnes as a result of the documentary.” Barnes testified at Jackson’s criminal trial in 2005  and said he was never assaulted by Jackson. He also tweeted this in January: Not only do we have to deal with these lies, but we’ve also got to deal with people perpetuating these lies. The fact that they fail to do the small amount of research it takes to prove these are lies, by choice or not, makes it even worse. — Brett Barnes (@IAmBrettBarnes) January 30, 2019 In 1993, Jackson was accused of molesting a 13-year-old boy. In January of 1994, Jackson reportedly settled for $23,000,000. The accuser’s father committed suicide in 2009, five months after Jackson passed away. Jordan Chandler reportedly has never come forward about the allegations and supposedly lives outside of the country. In 2017, when choreographer Wade Robson accused Jackson of sexual assault—even though he’d said in the past the singer didn’t assault him—there was a hunt to find Chandler. According to The Daily Mail , he left the U.S. to avoid investigators. In 2003, Jackson was charged with seven counts of child molestation and two counts of administering an intoxicating agent to a 13-year-old boy. He was acquitted of all charges. SEE ALSO: All The Ways Cops Are Still Trying To Cover Up LaQuan McDonald’s Execution Outrageous! Figurines Of White Cherub Crushing Head Of Black Angel Removed From Dollar Store Meet Jogger Joe, The Man Who Took Racist Cue From BBQ Becky In Tossing Homeless Man’s Clothes

Corey Feldman, Former Childhood Friend Of Michael Jackson, Slams ‘Leaving Neverland’

21 Savage’s Felony Theft Charges In Georgia Have Been Dropped

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Source: Supplied by WENN.com / WENN 21 Savage has one less legal situation to worry about. The Blast is reporting that the 26-year-old’s felony theft charges, stemming from a failure to perform in Liberty County, Georgia have been dropped. Court documents show that officials in the city dropped the charges sharing that the District Attorney rejected the charges. 21 originally surrendered to the Liberty County Sheriff’s Department on February 15 but was later released. The club promoter alleged that the rapper was given a $9,500 advance for a 2016 show but never hit the stage. The promoter also alleges that the rapper was given the remaining $7,500 balance, resulting in a believed loss of $17,000. Authorities were originally notified of the allegations in October 2016 with a warrant issued at that time. The promoter notified authorities once more of the outstanding warrant once 21 was picked up by ICE agents the morning of Super Bowl Sunday. A member of 21’s legal team predicted an agreement will be reached between both parties. “[21 Savage] has committed no criminal offense,” attorney Abby Taylor told TMZ on Feb. 15. “We look forward to an amicable resolution between the parties in the near future with no criminal implications whatsoever.” RELATED:  Jay-Z And Roc Nation Are Joining 21 Savage’s Legal Battle Against ICE

21 Savage’s Felony Theft Charges In Georgia Have Been Dropped

To FREEDOM: Nicki Minaj Is Reportedly Demanding Tracy Chapman Throw Out Lawsuit Over Uncleared Sample

Source: Stephane Cardinale – Corbis / Getty Nicki Minaj Demands Tracy Chapman Throw Out Lawsuit Nicki Minaj is trying to bring her beef with folk singer Tracy Chapman to an end. According to reports from The Blast , Minaj is demanding that the judge throw out Chapman’s lawsuit against her. The rapper is claiming that she did absolutely nothing wrong and does not owe the singer any damages. If you’ll recall, this lawsuit comes following Chapman filed a case against the Queens native for leaking the track “Sorry,” which features an uncleared sample of Chapman’s song “Baby Can I Hold You.” Nicki was very vocal about wanting the song–which features her former love interest Nas–to be on her album Queen , but Chapman continually refused to clear it. Minaj loved that specific record so much that she was considering pushing the entire album back in hopes of coming to some sort of agreement with Chapman–but that never ended up happening. The two parties weren’t able to come to an agreement, which left the record on the cutting room floor–that is, until the song “somehow” got into the hands of Funkmaster Flex, who premiered it without permission or clearance from Chapman. That is what led to Tracy’s lawyers to hit Nicki Minaj with a lawsuit that alleges she’s the one at fault for the radio leak. Tracy Chapman is seeking unspecified damages and an injunction prohibiting Minaj from using her music in the future. Nicki, on the other hand, is arguing that the song was fair use and alleges that Chapman doesn’t even own the copyrights to the sample. She stands firm in her allegations that this case has no merit and is demanding that the entire lawsuit be thrown out.

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To FREEDOM: Nicki Minaj Is Reportedly Demanding Tracy Chapman Throw Out Lawsuit Over Uncleared Sample

R. Kelly Faces Indictment At The Hand Of Chicago Grand Jury

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Source: Scott Legato / Getty R. Kelly has yet to face true justice in the wake of the allegations raised in the recent Lifetime Surviving R. Kelly docu-series, but developments in Chicago might change that. A grand jury convened last week after attorney Michael Avenatti produced alleged video evidence of the singer abusing an underage girl. The Blast reports : Sources close to the situation confirmed to The Blast a grand jury was convened last week by the Cook County State’s Attorney Office in Chicago. We’re told the grand jury — comprised of a group of citizens — was formed on the heels of attorney Michael Avenatti delivering a videotape allegedly depicting Kelly engaged in sexual activity with an underage girl. Since the airing of the Lifetime docu-series, “Surviving R. Kelly,” the public has been demanding charges be brought against him, but officials have yet to formally charge the star as they dealt with the hurdles of locating victims and forming a case. However, one of the powers of the Cook County State’s Attorney Office is the ability to assemble a grand jury, which can issue an indictment against a defendant without prosecutors having to present evidence at a preliminary hearing in front of a trial judge and a defense counsel. This is still a developing matter with lead Cook County prosecutor Kim Foxx urging any of Kelly’s victims to come forward and add their names to a potential case against the singer. — Photo: Getty

R. Kelly Faces Indictment At The Hand Of Chicago Grand Jury

Jussie Smollett Defends Himself Against Damning Hoax Allegations

The investigation into Jussie Smollett has taken more twists and turns than an Empire season finale. In the latest unexpected development to emanate from what had originally appeared to be a simple (albeit horrific) case of assault against the star, Smollett has released a statement through his legal team. It seeks to end speculation that Smollett actually staged the attack late last month in which he was allegedly beaten and taunted by a pair of racist assailants.   This is what Smollett’s attorney said late Saturday on his client’s behalf: As a victim of a hate crime who has cooperated with the police investigation, Jussie Smollett is angered and devastated by recent reports that the perpetrators are individuals he is familiar with. He has now been further victimized by claims attributed to these alleged perpetrators that Jussie played a role in his own attack. N othing is further from the truth and anyone claiming otherwise is lying. How did we possibly get to this point? It’s a long and convoluted story… Smollett told Chicago police that he was savagely beaten early on the morning of January 29. He told authorities back then that the two suspects screamed yelled that he was in “MAGA country,” that they tied a rope around his neck, that they poured bleach all over him and that he eventually took himself to a hospital for treatment. The case made national headlines. Numerous 2020 Presidential candidates sent their thoughts to Smollett, celebrities everywhere showered him with support and Donald Trump told the press it was a “horrible” incident. Donald Trump Comments on Jussie Smollett The beating was referring to in the press as a “hate crime” and a “modern-day lynching.” Shortly after this story went viral, however, the police and the media were given reason to have some doubts. Smollett, for example, reportedly refused to turn over his full cell phone records to the cops. According to a new TMZ article, the police were also suspicious after Smollett took them to the scene of the alleged crime and immediately pointed out an obscure security camera in the vicinity. Questions were raised internally over how Smollett know about this camera and whether he actually planned the attack to occur within the sight of it. Then… two arrests were made in the case . However, the men arrested were brothers from Nicaragua who actually worked in the past as extras on Empire. They knew Smollett somewhat well. This raised even more questions, along the lines of: Would two African-Americans really scream racial epithets at Smollett? Might Smollett have paid these associates off as part of an elaborate hoax? This theory is now gaining quite a bit of momentum. For starters, the brothers were released without being charged — and the reason given by Chicago police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi certainly raises a bunch of eyebrows: “We can confirm that the information received from the individuals questioned by police earlier in the Empire case has in fact shifted the trajectory of the investigation.” View Slideshow: Jussie Smollett: Did He REALLY Stage His Own Attack?! Empire Star Under Investigation [UPDATED] Shifted the trajectory of the investigation . The latest update from CNN also begins as follows: Two law enforcement sources with knowledge of the investigation tell CNN that Chicago Police believe actor Jussie Smollett paid two men to orchestrate an assault on him that he reported late last month… Multiple outlets claim that Smollett paid the siblings $4,000 in exchange for their role in the assault. Why would he do this? Presumably, sources have alleged, because he was being written off Empire and thought producers would change their minds after he became such a sympathetic figure on the national stage. It’s worth noting, however, that all executives and writers associated with Empire have strongly denied having any plans to let Smollett go. As you can see, this is a confusing and disturbing case all around. Either Smollett really was the victim of a violent hate crime… or he’s lying about it. There’s no in between at this point. Speaking to Robin Roberts of Good Morning America last Thursday, Smollett insisted he was telling the truth. “It feels like if I had said it was a Muslim or a Mexican or someone black I feel like the doubters would have supported me a lot much more,” Smollett said. “And that says a lot about the place where we are as a country right now.”

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Jussie Smollett Defends Himself Against Damning Hoax Allegations

Safaree Showed Up Late To ‘Love & Hip Hop’ Reunion, Cited Security & Mental Health Concerns

Safaree Samuels continues to embrace the struggle. The reality star, and Nicki Minaj’s ex, show up late to the Love & Hip Hop: New York reunion taping in Atlanta, and of course it was dramatic.  Reports TMZ : Sources close to the situation tell TMZ, Safaree was supposed to appear in Atlanta Wednesday to shoot the ‘LHH’ show. We’re told last Friday he was committed to do the special — but he had a change of heart on Monday — backing out due to what he called safety and mental health concerns.  Our sources say VH1’s parent company, Viacom, promised Safaree they’d put necessary measures in place to make sure he felt safe — including additional security if a fight broke out — but he wouldn’t budge. Although at first it was thought he totally skipped the reunion, he arrived about halfway through the taping. Well, at least he’s happily engaged. — Photo: Getty

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Safaree Showed Up Late To ‘Love & Hip Hop’ Reunion, Cited Security & Mental Health Concerns

3 Is A Trend…: A.J. Calloway Accused Of Sexual Assault By 6 Women

Source: Jemal Countess / Getty At what point is AJ Calloway going to be canceled, or even jailed? The former host of BET’s 106 & Park and current Extra host ( though currently suspended ) has been accused of sexual assault by six different women.  Calloway’s accusers have spoken out in a new story from The Hollywood Reporter . So far, six women have come forward to accuse him of sexual misconduct and assault. Last year, writer Sil Lai Abrams accused Calloway of groping him, and he was even arrested. However, the case was dismissed on procedural grounds (Calloway maintained his innocence). Reading Abrams’ account inspired Jeannie Delgado, who works in the aviation industry, to reveal that Calloway allegedly raped her in 2009. She claims that after Calloway offered her to stay overnight in a guest room in his home he raped her. “I thought it was not a big deal,” says Delgado, who works in the aviation industry. “I’m thinking this is the guest room. It turned out to be his bedroom. He closed the door behind him. He basically closed the door, locked it and tried to kiss me. I was like, ‘No, no, no.’ Then he went for my pants. He flipped me over, grabbed my hands, held them behind my back.” Holding both her hands in one of his, she says, he used his free hand to pull off her pants. “I’m 5-foot-2, 110 pounds,” she says. “He’s 6-foot-4, and I don’t know how much he weighs. He proceeded to rape me. When I tried to get up, he pulled me back down and bear-hugged me. That was for hours. I lay there crying the whole time. When the sun came up, he raped me again.” (Calloway, via an attorney, denies all allegations of misconduct.) Other accusers include two women, Nancy and Daisy, who didn’t want to use their real names and another woman who chose to remain unnamed. Perhaps the most heinous detail of their stories is that Calloway did not use condoms during the alleged sexual assault. Calloway has denied all the allegations via his lawyer. “These allegations are completely false,” said his attorney Lisa E. Davis. “Mr. Calloway has never sexually assaulted anyone and is devastated that he is being falsely accused of such terrible conduct. Throughout his career, Mr. Calloway has been a tireless advocate for community empowerment and equality and justice for all people regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation or gender expression.” Calloway was suspended from Extra after word got out that The Hollywood Reporter was preparing to publish their story. — Photo: Getty

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3 Is A Trend…: A.J. Calloway Accused Of Sexual Assault By 6 Women

Ryan Adams Issues Non-Apology In Response to Mandy Moore Allegations: I’m Not Perfect!

On Wednesday, the music world was shocked by reports that celebrated singer-songwriter Ryan Adams has been accused of sexual misconduct and psychological abuse by several female musicians. In a scathing report from the New York Times seven women — including Adams’ ex-wife, Mandy Moore — came forward to detail instances in which they had been harassed, threatened or manipulated by Adams. On Twitter, Adams’ tone switched from combative to almost-apologetic, as he issued a statement in which he asked forgiveness, while at the same time refusing to accept responsibility for his alleged actions. Prior to the publication of the exposé, Adams assumed a defensive posture. “F-ck you. You are kitty litter. Happy Valentine’s Day,” he tweeted alongside the Times famous logo. “Run your smear piece. But the leagel [sic] eagles see you. Rats. I’m f-cking taking you down,” Adams continued, seemingly threatening legal action against the paper. After the piece was published, however, Adams adopted a more conciliatory stance: “I am not a perfect man and I have made many mistakes,” he tweeted. “To anyone I have ever hurt, however unintentionally, I apologize deeply and unreservedly.” Possibly in reference to allegations that he sent sexually explicit photos to an aspiring musician who was in her early teens at the time (Adams was already in his forties), the singer had this to say: “But the picture that this article paints is upsettingly inaccurate. Some of its details are misrepresented; some are exaggerated; some are outright false,” he tweeted. “As someone who has always tried to spread joy through my music and my life, hearing that some people believe I caused them pain saddens me greatly. “I am resolved to work to be the best man I can be. And I wish everyone compassion, understanding and healing.” On Twitter, many were quick to point out that at no point did Adams acknowledge his victims or offer them the solace that might have come with accepting responsibility for specific actions. According to Moore and singers Phoebe Bridgers and Jaye Courtney — Adams used the promise of career success to lure his mostly much-younger victims into scenarios where they were pressured to engage in sex acts. “Music was a point of control for him,” says Moore, who adds that Adams engaged in frequent “psychologically abusive” behavior during their 6-year marriage. We’ll have further updates on this developing story as more information becomes available.

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Ryan Adams Issues Non-Apology In Response to Mandy Moore Allegations: I’m Not Perfect!

Nelly Seeking Dismissal of Lawsuit Claiming Sexual Assault

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Source: Tim Mosenfelder / Getty Nelly wants the case thrown out. The St. Louis rapper is hoping a judge dismisses a lawsuit brought against him by a British woman who claimed he raped her in England. Report the Associated Press : The federal lawsuit was filed in November in St. Louis, the rapper’s hometown. The woman accuses Nelly, whose real name is Cornell Haynes Jr., of assaulting her in a dressing room at the concert venue in Essex in December 2017. Nelly hasn’t been criminally charged and has denied the allegations. The woman is identified only as Jane Doe in the lawsuit. Nelly’s attorney, Scott Rosenblum, filed a response to the lawsuit Thursday, arguing that the woman shouldn’t be allowed to remain anonymous and “avoid public scrutiny.” The woman alleges that she paid to have her photo taken with the 44-year-old rapper after the concert before he took her to a separate room and sexually assaulted her. The woman’s attorney, Karen Koehler, said the woman reported the incident to police more than a year ago and she believes the investigation is ongoing. Essex police didn’t immediately respond to an after-hours phone message from The Associated Press seeking information Friday. If this sounds familiar, Nelly settled a similar lawsuit  (the accuser claims there was a settlement, the rapper lawyers say it was dismissed) in September 2018 from a woman who claimed he raped her on his tour bus. Nelly might not want to make this a habit or a cancellation is on deck. — Photo: Getty

Nelly Seeking Dismissal of Lawsuit Claiming Sexual Assault

50 Cent Calls Dame Dash “A Real Sucker” For Trying To Get Jay-Z “Jammed Up”

This whole Robert Kelly situation is getting everybody jammed up! Oh yeah, I’m calling him Robert from now on. But check this out! Via | HotNewHipHop When does 50 Cent not have time to troll? The controversy surrounding the allegations against  R. Kelly  has sparked a wider conversation about sexual misconduct in the music industry. Earlier today,  Nick Cannon  released the latest episode of his podcast, “Cannon’s Class” with Dame Dash. The legendary music mogul was asked about the signing of Foxy Brown and her relationship with Jay-Z which he swiftly shut down. The exchange clearly amused  50 Cent  who poked fun at Dame Dash over his response. READ MORE

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50 Cent Calls Dame Dash “A Real Sucker” For Trying To Get Jay-Z “Jammed Up”