Did Oprah Betray Michael Jackson? The Jackson Family Says Yes—And They’re Not Staying Silent Anymore

In the wake of mounting scrutiny over Oprah Winfrey’s treatment of Black entertainers, an old wound has reopened—this time with renewed anger and sharpened voices from the Jackson family. More than a decade after Michael Jackson’s death, his family, including sister Janet Jackson, is once again publicly calling out Oprah Winfrey for what they allege was a deliberate betrayal not only of Michael—but of their entire family.

The accusations aren’t new, but the timing has reignited the conversation. Oprah, currently facing backlash for her role in the Hollywood pay disparity discourse—particularly after Taraji P. Henson’s veiled criticism—has become a symbol of complicated power dynamics in the entertainment industry. And for the Jacksons, this moment has brought back painful memories.

“I feel like she betrayed not just him, but my family,” one Jackson family member reportedly said in a recent podcast appearance. “She used her platform to manipulate the truth.”

The most glaring example, in their eyes, stems from the infamous 1993 Oprah Winfrey Show interview with Michael Jackson at Neverland Ranch. Touted as the most-watched interview in television history at the time, it was supposed to humanize Michael, who had been the subject of bizarre and often cruel tabloid rumors. Instead, it left many fans—and the Jacksons themselves—feeling exposed and ambushed.

During the interview, Oprah questioned Jackson on topics ranging from his skin condition and plastic surgery to his relationship with children and his virginity—questions that many viewed as deeply invasive, even by 90s media standards. Michael disclosed that he had vitiligo, a skin disorder that affects pigmentation, and admitted to having a nose job—but the sincerity of his answers seemed met with skepticism, even interruptions.

“I have a skin disorder that destroys the pigmentation of the skin… It’s something that I cannot help,” Michael explained, visibly emotional. But Oprah cut in, questioning whether he was taking anything to lighten his skin. It was a moment that left a bitter aftertaste for Jackson’s fans—one that many believe helped cement public doubt rather than dispel rumors.

“She didn’t let him speak,” one viewer recalled. “It’s like she wanted to trap him, not understand him.”

But it didn’t end there.

Later, Oprah revisited Michael’s painful childhood and questioned his loyalty to his father, Joe Jackson—implying he needed therapy, even as Michael spoke of love and forgiveness. Then came questions about his romantic life, with Oprah pressing him on whether he was a virgin. Michael, who described himself as old-fashioned and private, visibly recoiled from the intrusion.

“She was toying with his dignity,” one fan wrote. “She wanted a spectacle, not a conversation.”

Things took a darker turn when she broached the topic of Michael’s friendships with children. Michael explained that he enjoyed their innocence, that he never had a normal childhood himself. But Oprah pushed further, asking if he ever shared a bed with children. The implication was clear. The tone was accusatory.

Months after the interview, in the summer of 1993, the first accusations of sexual abuse surfaced—something the Jackson family points to with bitter irony.

“You cannot ignore the impact of that interview,” said Taj Jackson, Michael’s nephew. “It helped shape a narrative that haunted my uncle for the rest of his life.”

Then came 2019’s Leaving Neverland, a controversial HBO documentary in which Wade Robson and James Safechuck detailed allegations of abuse against Michael. The Jackson estate denied the claims, pointing out inconsistencies and the fact that Michael had been acquitted in court. But Oprah took center stage again, this time as a vocal supporter of the accusers. She hosted After Neverland, an hour-long special giving the men a platform while Michael, no longer alive to defend himself, became a target all over again.

To the Jackson family, this was the ultimate betrayal.

“Oprah knew us,” said Brandi Jackson, Michael’s niece. “She came into our home. After he died, she wanted to interview Paris, Prince, and Blanket. And my grandmother said yes because she trusted her. But now we know better.”

Even Janet Jackson, who has rarely spoken about the matter, has reportedly remained cold toward Oprah in private circles, according to sources close to the family. Her bond with Michael was famously close. “He was my best friend growing up,” she once said. And those who know her say she still carries that loyalty like a shield.

For the Jacksons, Oprah’s apparent support of Michael’s accusers—even after decades of public court battles, FBI investigations, and one not-guilty verdict after another—felt calculated and cruel. Especially, they argue, when Oprah seemed to maintain a warmer distance from predators in her own circle.

“Harvey Weinstein was convicted. Where’s the Oprah special for his victims?” one fan commented. “Michael was never convicted of anything, and yet she had a whole show ready.”

Germaine Jackson was among the first to publicly criticize her in 2019, saying Oprah “blindly took Leaving Neverland at face value” and “wasn’t interested in facts.” He wasn’t alone. Taj, Brandi, and others followed suit, labeling Oprah as a ratings-hungry opportunist who used Michael’s name only when it suited her.

“She does what she needs to do to get ratings,” Taj said. “To me, it’s an ultimate betrayal.”

Today, with online sentiment turning against Oprah in broader ways—partly due to resurfaced tensions with other Black entertainers like Mo’Nique—the call for accountability is growing. For the Jacksons, this isn’t about clout. It’s about legacy.

“They let her in,” one family friend told a media outlet. “They trusted her. And she turned around and treated him like a monster.”

Whether Oprah ever intended to damage Michael Jackson’s legacy is a question only she can answer. She has never publicly apologized to the family nor addressed their criticism in detail. And yet, the scars of her choices remain—etched not only in the memories of Michael’s fans, but in the hearts of the people who knew and loved him most.

As for whether Oprah owes the Jacksons an apology?

That answer may depend on whom you ask. But in the words of one commenter now gaining traction online:

“Oprah, you built your empire off Michael Jackson’s name—then tried to bury it. You owe him. You owe them. And you owe the truth.”