New Documentary Reveals Michael Jackson Saying 'Children... Wanna Just Touch Me And Hug Me'

Newly unreleased audio recordings of Michael Jackson reveal deeply personal reflections on children, being broadcast for the first time in an upcoming documentary series. The tapes, described by producers as 'emotionally raw', capture the late superstar discussing how children's affection for him sometimes caused difficulties and how being unable to see children would affect him.

The recordings form part of a four‑episode series examining the events surrounding Jackson's 2005 criminal trial, when he was acquitted on charges including child molestation. While the series does not reinterpret the verdict, the audio provides new context on how Jackson viewed children.

What MJ Thinks of Children

Obtained by The Guardian, the audio excerpts, secured by UK production company Wonderhood Studios for Channel 4's documentary The Trial, show Jackson speaking candidly about his relationships with children. 'Children ... wanna just touch me and hug me,' he says in one recording. In another, he states: 'Kids end up just falling in love with my personality ... sometimes it gets me into trouble,' referring to how young people responded to his fame.

Perhaps most striking is a separate snippet in which Jackson claims that if he were ever barred from being around children, his life would have no meaning, adding that he would consider taking his own life under such circumstances. 'If you told me right now ... "Michael, you could never see another child," ... I would kill myself,' he says. Producers say the tapes offer what they describe as a 'rare and privileged window' into Jackson's psyche, presenting unfiltered thoughts he may not have shared publicly during his lifetime.

The 2005 Trial and Acquittal

Jackson's interactions with children were a central element of his 2005 criminal trial in Santa Maria, California, where he faced 14 charges, including allegations of child molestation and providing alcohol to a minor. The prosecution's case focused on relationships Jackson had with several young boys, most notably Gavin Arvizo, a teen cancer survivor who later became an accuser. Court proceedings included testimony about private outings and interactions at Jackson's Neverland Ranch.

Jackson consistently denied all allegations throughout the trial, framing accusations as part of several attempts to defame him. 'I am completely, completely innocent', the popstar said. On June  13, 2005, a jury found him not guilty on all counts, including molestation and conspiracy charges.

The forthcoming documentary revisits this high‑profile case, not to challenge the verdict, but to explore events that led to the trial and its aftermath. Executive producer Tom Anstiss has characterised the audio tapes as deeply personal and, at times, emotionally intense. He said they provide a nuanced picture of Jackson's internal struggles and mindset, which had been shaped by decades in the global spotlight.

Where the Allegations Began

Allegations against Jackson first became widely publicised after the 1993 case. A 13-year-old boy, Jordan Chandler, and his father accused Jackson of sexual abuse. This led to a police investigation and a civil lawsuit. Jackson denied all allegations and settled the civil case out of court for around £18.5m ($23 million). The settlement was intended to avoid a protracted trial, not a legal admission of guilt.

Public attention intensified again in 2003 after the documentary Living with Michael Jackson aired, in which Jackson openly discussed sharing his bed with children. This prompted authorities in Santa Barbara, California, to investigate further. This investigation eventually led to the 2005 criminal trial, in which Jackson faced 14 charges, including molestation of a minor, providing alcohol to a child and conspiracy.

Since his death in 2009, new allegations have occasionally surfaced, often based on anecdotal testimony or documentaries, but no court has found Jackson guilty of sexual abuse. It was only after Jackson's death, with the release of the 2019 documentary Leaving Neverland, that these allegations resurfaced in the public eye.