Barbra Streisand apologises for outrageous defence of Michael Jackson’s sex abuse

BARBRA Streisand has apologised for claiming Michael Jackson had "sexual needs" and the men who say he abused them as kids were "thrilled to be there".

The singer, 76, launched into the bizarre defence of Jacko after Wade Robson and James Safechuck accused him of child molestation in the documentary Leaving Neverland.

She said last night: "I am profoundly sorry for any pain or misunderstanding I caused by not choosing my words more carefully about Michael Jackson and his victims.

"I didn't mean to dismiss the trauma these boys experienced in any way. Like all survivors of sexual assault, they will have to carry this for the rest of their lives.

"I feel deep remorse and I hope that James and Wade know that I truly respect and admire them for speaking their truth."

Her apology went beyond an earlier statement in which she said: "To be crystal clear, there is no situation or circumstance where it is OK for the innocence of children to be taken advantage of by anyone."

'IT DIDN'T KILL THEM'
The superstar sparked outrage after she told The Times she "absolutely" believed the two men, but said it's the fault of their parents for allowing them to sleep in a bed with the "very sweet" and "very childlike" Jackson.

Streisand, who once turned down the offer to sing a duet with the King of Pop, stated: "His sexual needs were his sexual needs, coming from whatever childhood he has or whatever DNA he has.

"You can say 'molested', but those children, as you heard say [the grown-up Robson and Safechuck], they were thrilled to be there. They both married and they both have children, so it didn’t kill them."

She admitted she "feels bad" for both Jackson and his accusers as she asked why the parents didn't question the singer's need for "these little children dressed like him".

'DID YOU REALLY JUST SAY THAT?'
The 45-time Grammy nominee was slammed on social media for her comments - including from Leaving Neverland director and producer Dan Reed.

He said: "'It didn’t kill them' @barbraStreisand did you really say that?!"

New York Magazine and HuffPost writer Yashar Ali said: "I am sick to my stomach."

Founder of the Gaia Project for Women's Leadership, Elizabeth C McLaughlin, tweeted: "Barbra Streisand is cancelled. Forever. Dunzo."

'SUSTAINED ABUSE'
Leaving Neverland is a two-part, four-hour documentary which shows “gut-wrenching” interviews with James, now 40, and Wade, now 36, as well as their mothers, wives and siblings.

They claim they were aged just seven and ten when they were allegedly sexually abused by the star.

Channel 4 says the film is “a portrait of sustained abuse”, with the boys and their families “entranced by the star’s fairytale existence”.

Jackson, who died in 2009 of a drug overdose, strongly denied all allegations of sexual abuse made against him. His estate has vehemently denounced the documentary.

Streisand is headlining Barclaycard presents British Summer Time in Hyde Park on July 7. She's is one of the most successful acts to ever be signed up to perform at the event in London.