I visited Michael Jackson’s Neverland – this one detail left me shocked
He hasn’t lived there for 20 years and has been since 2009, but Neverland’s level of security makes it seem like Michael Jackson is still alive and well.
This week, while researching a story about the backlash, I went to the famous ranch to see the star-studded biopic.
Since Jackson moved in, the website has always had 24/7 security. And even after his death, it was continued because the ranch’s huge following attracted a lot of fans from all over the world. There was a significant budget to maintain the ranch even after Neverland changed hands and was sold to billionaire Ron Burkle for £11 million in December 2020. However, it seems to have stepped up a gear this week.
Special drones are now being flown over the 2,700-acre site, according to Neverland security bosses. As I stood far from the gates of the public road, a drone flew out of a landing box just above my head.
Who knows if it was gazing at me. But it was certainly intimidating (and loud) enough. Given the appeal of the property’s fascination, it’s perhaps no wonder the new Neverland owners need to take such preventative measures.
The King of Pop’s supporters from all over the world have written love-struck messages on the walls of his homes. and during my brief visit to the property, a number of fans stopped.
However, Michael, the new Jackson biopic, is expected to pique viewers’ interest even more. Set for release this October, it boasts an impressive cast list with Oscar-nominated Colman Domingo playing Jackson’s abusive father, Joe, while Miles Teller, is John Branca, Jackson’s manager. The singer himself is played by Jackson’s nephew Jaafar.
But anger has greeted the decision to “sanitise” Jackson’s story, which is said to be sympathetic to the star despite the child abuse allegations. Dan Reed, who made acclaimed 2019 documentary Leaving Neverland detailing Jackson’s alleged abuse, said of the movie being filmed at Neverland: “It’s a return to the scene of the crime in order to whitewash and rewrite history”.
Sixteen years after Jacko’s death, the star remains as controversial as ever…
Source: Mirror
Leave a Reply