'Michael Jackson: The Verdict' documentary revisits controversy surrounding pop legend

'Michael Jackson: The Verdict' revisits Martin Bashir 2003 interview, where pop star said he shared bed with children

The Netflix docuseries Michael Jackson: The Verdict has revisited key moments from the 2003 documentary Living With Michael Jackson, focusing on claims made during journalist Martin Bashir’s interview with the pop star and their later legal and media fallout.

Across the three-part series, Martin Bashir reflected on filming his extensive interviews with Michael Jackson in 2002, describing a moment he said left him “gobsmacked” when Jackson spoke about sleeping in the same bed as children.

The discussion forms part of broader testimony and recollections surrounding the controversial broadcast that aired in February 2003.

In the original filming, Michael Jackson had invited Bashir into his personal life at Neverland Ranch, where he was shown interacting with children and discussing his relationships with them.

During one exchange, Jackson introduced Gavin Arvizo, who later became a central figure in the 2003 allegations of child sexual abuse against the singer.

Jackson is shown in the documentary questioning social boundaries, stating, “Why can’t you share your bed?” and describing it as “the most loving thing to do is share your bed with someone.”

Bashir recalled that the production team was surprised by the disclosure, stating, “All of us, the production team, are completely gobsmacked. I mean, we can’t believe what’s going on in front of us,” according to his account in the series.

The documentary also highlights Jackson’s explanation that guest accommodation existed at Neverland Ranch, while maintaining that visiting children often stayed in close proximity to him.

Following the broadcast of Living With Michael Jackson, media scrutiny intensified and investigations into allegations of child sexual abuse followed, resulting in a high-profile court case in 2005 in which Michael Jackson was acquitted of all charges.

The Verdict also references commentary from Jackson biographer J. Randy Taraborrelli, who discussed Jackson’s interest in Bashir due to his earlier work with Princess Diana, noting that Jackson expected a sympathetic portrayal.

However, the docuseries notes that this expectation did not align with how the final documentary was received.

Taraborrelli states that Jackson “didn’t do enough research,” suggesting that a more thorough understanding of Bashir’s previous work might have changed his expectations about editorial framing.