Amy Sedaris reacts to Michael Jackson’s birthday tribute
Actress Amy Sedaris’ posthumous birthday tribute to Michael Jackson didn’t go down well with her fans this week.
The comedian got some big setback for telling his followers in an Instagram post celebrating his 65th birthday on Tuesday that he was “a little excited about the timeless music” he’s created.
While many fans loved the nostalgic music videos Sedaris shared, others had reservations about celebrating the controversial King of Pop.
A 13-time Grammy winner and chart-topper, Jackson was also repeatedly accused of child sexual abuse in his later years.
He was acquitted of child molestation charges after a 2005 trial, but following his death, two prosecutors, Wade Robson and James Safechuck, made disturbing allegations of abuse in the 2019 documentary Leaving Neverland.
The “Thriller” singer staunchly denied all allegations during his lifetime, and his estate has maintained that stance since his death from an accidental overdose of the tranquilizer propofol in 2009 at the age of 50.
“I love you Amy but this is not a man to celebrate,” shared one fan.
“Amy I’ve loved you for a while but I don’t see how you can support a person like MJ. I’m saddened by this,” wrote another.
“Let’s stop glorifying him,” urged another.
A more outspoken Instagram user told the Strangers With Candy star, “Yikes… hard pass.”
Others tried to separate the art from the artist.
“We can celebrate the music without condoning the human error/crimes,” one commented. “I don’t know anyone who didn’t grow up listening to Michael Jackson’s music.”
Still, many spoke out to support the “Billie Jean” artist.
“Thank you @amysedaris for celebrating the greatest artist who inspired generations,” someone wrote. “Don’t bother with the haters.”
After “Leaving Neverland” was nominated for multiple Emmy Awards, Jackson’s legacy provoked the reaction to the documentary a “complete farce”.
“It is a complete farce that a film that is pure fiction should be honored in an Emmy category for non-fiction,” it said in a statement, claiming there was “not a shred of evidence” surrounding it to support the allegations of the prosecutors.
