Michael Jackson's bizarre giggling and arrogance in sex abuse probe video shows his mask cracking, body language expert Judi James reveals
The disturbing clip shows the King of Pop being interviewed about molesting children by lawyers as part of a suit filed by five former Neverland employees in 1996.
Author and behaviour analyst Judi James told The Sun Online that even by Jacko’s unconventional standards his performance during the interview was unusual.
In the clip, Jackson, 37 at the time, is seen rolling his eyes and putting his face in his hands as he is quizzed on allegations he molested kids Macaulay Culkin, Jordan Chandler and Brett Barnes – who were all frequent visitors at his Neverland ranch.
James said that some of Jackson’s body language during the interview was “puzzling” and could signal “over-confidence” or arrogance”.
She said: “Given the gravity of the subject-matter you might expect Jackson to signal vulnerability or concern.
“Instead he performs some pit-baring gestures, placing his hands behind his head to bare his armpits to the camera and splaying his elbows out.
“This can signal over-confidence or even feelings of power or arrogance.
“It’s a gesture used a lot in the boardroom to suggest superiority as by baring the vulnerable part of the body (armpit) and splaying the arms you can suggest you’re unthreatened by the other person.”
This can signal over-confidence or even feelings of power or arrogance
On the singer’s giggling, James said: “Giggling can actually be a knee-jerk response to shock for some people but Jackson seems to be laughing beyond any initial impact of the claims.
“He tilts his head back and places both hands over his face in a cut-off ritual suggesting a desire to conceal or mask his facial expressions from the camera but when his hands drop the laughing appears.
“He appears distracted at times and perhaps the most bizarre gesture is the very over-congruent yawn.
“Yawning can also be a response to shock but Jackson never attempts to suppress his yawn in case it looks inappropriate.”
The clip is believed to show the only time the superstar entertainer was filmed being questioned about allegations of child molestation.
Mr Jackson, who died in 2009, denied all allegations of sexual abuse made against him.
The video was filmed as apart of a lawsuit filed by five former Jackson employees who claimed the star threatened staff who saw him acting inappropriately with little boys.
They filed the suit against Jackson for wrongful dismissal.
During the deposition interview, filmed in the Four Seasons Hotel on March 1, 1996, the Thriller singer was accompanied by legal advisers Steve Cochrane and Zia Modabber.
Jesus said to love the children…and that’s how I was raised – to believe and to be like that and to imitate that
After his legal team said Jackson would not answer any questions relating to the three children, the singer appeared to compare himself to Jesus.
Explaining why he surrounded himself with young boys, he said: "Jesus said to love the children and be like children. Be youthful, be innocent, be pure and honourable.
"He was talking to his apostles and they were fighting over whose the greatest among themselves and he (Jesus) said 'Whoever humbles themselves like this child is the greatest among me.'
“And he always surrounded himself with children.
“And that’s how I was raised – to believe and to be like that and to imitate that."
The Billy Jean songwriter also said he was proud to be a "black American" before insisting "I don’t bleach my skin."
Speaking about rumours that were reported about him, Jackson also said loudly "I’m not gay” while nodding his head.
In 1993, the singer shelled out $23million to the Chandler family after the 13-year-old claimed the singer molested him – which prevented the case going to court.
And during his 2005 trial sparked by allegations he sexually abused Gavin Arvizo, Jackson's defence team decided against him taking the stand.
This latest footage resurfaced as a documentary exploring the allegations against him aired at the Sundance Film Festival.
Leaving Neverland details claims from Wade Robson, a choreographer who says Jackson began abusing him when he was 7, and James Safechuck, a former child actor who says Jackson began molesting him when he was 10.
The documentary was branded a “horror film” after the four-hour film's debut revealed gruesome accounts from two of Jacko's alleged victims who are now in their 30s.
Michael Jackson's estate has continued to deny the allegations against the singer, slamming the film as "an outrageous and pathetic attempt to exploit and cash in".
Leaving Neverland will screen in the UK in the first week of March on Channel 4
Wade Robson claims Jackson was a serial sex offender
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