Michael Jackson‘s former bodyguard wants everyone to know “the real Michael.”
In an interview with Metro.co.uk posted on Tuesday, Matt Fiddes refutes the abuse allegations brought by accusers Wade Robson and James Safechuck in the Emmy-winning documentary, Leaving Neverland.
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According to the publication, Fiddes worked for the singer for 10 years until his death in 2009.
After meeting through Israeli-British illusionist Uri Geller, the two “became friends first” before the musician showed interest in Matt’s martial arts skills.
He revealed:
“We knew the guy, we knew him so well, he spent time with my children, he’s not the man he’s portrayed as by James and Wade… I felt after that, for my own legacy, it was time to speak out.”
The fitness expert alleges the crooner had valid relationships with women, and claimed he even helped sneak “girls into his room.”
“This whole pedophile thing is complete nonsense… The guy had girlfriends and had a legitimate marriage to Lisa Marie [Presley], that was the way he lived his life… We were the people sneaking the girls into his room.”
In regards to Robson and Safechuck’s claims against Jackson, the celebrity trainer says it was “impossible” for Michael to commit the alleged crimes as he was “hardly” at his Neverland Ranch property.
“They say there were boys around, that was not the case at all. He made Neverland how it was so he could have it for the Make-A-Wish foundation; something he could give back on… We had a running joke he was never there. He had to be in Los Angeles to conduct business, it’s about four hours’ drive from the mountains and he hated the drive, so he was very rarely there. He was there to make public appearances. He was much more comfortable at the Beverly Wilshire in a suite… If he was doing what he was doing to young kids he would never get any work done. He was already recording, performing and rehearsing, for him to be messing around with young kids would be impossible because of the security that was in place. It’s impossible.”
In 2003, the “King of Pop” was charged with seven counts of child molestation and two counts of intoxicating a minor with alcohol, though he was later acquitted in 2005.
During this time, Fiddes claims “a lot of big name so-called friends disappeared and were nowhere to be seen” in Michael’s life, adding:
“He became very different himself, he wasn’t sure how the public would react… He didn’t think he was safe on stage, he thought he was going to get shot. But he could sense it was different to how it was before.”
Additionally, Matt alleges nobody called Jackson on his 50th birthday.
“I didn’t bother calling him because he’s Michael Jackson. I thought he’d have too many calls… He didn’t have a single call on his birthday… A lot of that was because he changed his numbers and was hard to find, but it wasn’t a life anyone would have wanted or was spectacular.”
If Michael were alive today, Fiddes believes he would not be performing as “he didn’t want to moonwalk past 50,” explaining:
“He wanted to be behind the camera, so had he lived he’d be directing movies.”
Overall:
“We were protective of him, as he was of us… I know people do doubt him, but I wouldn’t stick my neck out and put my reputation at stake if I didn’t know this guy was 100% innocent.”
Jackson’s estate has repeatedly denied Leaving Neverland‘s allegations.
[Image via Matt Fiddes/Instagram/Chris Connor/WENN.]
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