Following years of speculation surrounding the dynamic of their relationship, Macaulay Culkin decided to set the record straight about him and Michael Jackson.
The child star, 44, became pals with the music legend when he was just ten - and considering there's a 22-year age gap between them, this raised more than a few eyebrows.
But Jackson was simply trying to offer some advice and mentorship to the youngster on how to navigate the showbiz world, according to Culkin.
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However, as the 'Thriller' singer later revealed he routinely 'slept in bed' with the Home Alone star and his brother Kieran, this sparked some concerns about his conduct.
Jackson faced a lot of scrutiny throughout his life in regards to his close relationships with children, while sexual abuse allegations were levied against him by a number of youngsters.
He was first accused in 1993 and settled out of court, before he was then tried and acquitted of child molestation in 2005 in a separate case.
Jackson maintained his innocence until his death in 2009 at the age of 50 and was never convicted.
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In more recent years, Wade Robson and James Safechuck have accused The King of Pop of sexually abusing them during their childhoods.
The details of the allegations were aired to the world Leaving Neverland in 2019 and are now being revisited in the sequel to the documentary, which was released yesterday (18 March).
Take a look at the trailer here:
A lot of people expected Culkin to make an appearance in the show, as the actor has always been a staunch defender of Jackson and their friendship.
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The 44-year-old, from New York, explained that he bonded with the late performer over their shared experiences of childhood fame.
During an appearance on Michael Rosenbaum's Inside Of You podcast in 2019, Culkin said, as per Entertainment Weekly: "He reached out to me because a lot of things were happening big and fast with me, and I think he identified with that. It’s almost easy to say it was weird or whatever, but it wasn’t because it made sense.
"Here’s the thing at the end of the day: We were friends. It’s one of my friendships that people question only because of the fact that he was the most famous person in the world.
"I know it’s a big deal to everyone else, but to me it was a normal friendship."
Culkin, who was a regular visitor at Jackson's notorious Neverland Ranch and starred in the singer's 'Black or White' music video, clarified the nature of their relationship in 2020.
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Speaking to Esquire, the Richie Rich star explained that he and Jackson would have a laugh when they spent time together and enjoyed prank calling people.
But Culkin insists his friend never made him feel uncomfortable and that the singer 'never did anything' inappropriate.
The actor said: "Look, I’m gonna begin with the line - it’s not a line, it’s the truth: He never did anything to me. I never saw him do anything.
"And especially at this flash point in time, I’d have no reason to hold anything back. The guy has passed on. If anything - I’m not gonna say it would be stylish or anything like that, but right now is a good time to speak up.
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"And if I had something to speak up about, I would totally do it. But no, I never saw anything; he never did anything."
He then went on to offer up a 'good Michael Jackson story that doesn't involve Michael Jackson at all' - which began with Culkin running into James Franco on a plane.
After greeting each other while stuffing their bags into the overhead lockers, he recalled how the Pineapple Express star brought up the Leaving Neverland documentary during their brief chat.
Culkin continued: "He goes, ‘So, that documentary!’ And that was all he said. I was like, ‘Uh-huh.’ Silence. So then he goes, ‘So what do you think?’ And I turned to him and I go, ‘Do you wanna talk about your dead friend?’
"And he sheepishly went, ‘No, I don’t.’ So I said, ‘Cool, man, it was nice to see you'."
I guess that's one way to shutdown an awkward conversation, eh?
Topics: Celebrity, Macaulay Culkin, Michael Jackson, Documentaries
Olivia Burke