For years, Michael Jackson’s legacy has remained one of the most debated topics in entertainment history. Even more than a decade after the King of Pop’s California death, new documentaries, interviews, and firsthand accounts continue to fuel discussion about the late singer and the people who were closest to him.
Now, a new docuseries is bringing old allegations back into the spotlight, and one former employee is making claims that are once again drawing attention to Jackson’s friendship with former child star Macaulay Culkin.
The allegations were featured in Michael Jackson: The Verdict, where Phillip LeMarque, who previously worked as Jackson’s California chef, revisited claims he says date back to the early 1990s. According to LeMarque, he witnessed behavior involving Jackson and Culkin during a gathering in 1991 that he considered inappropriate.
Michael Jackson’s California Chef Makes Shocking Macaulay Culkin Allegations
The claims allege that Michael was seen by the cook inappropriately touching Culkin when he was just 10 years old. Similar allegations surfaced years ago during the intense scrutiny surrounding Jackson’s 2005 criminal trial. However, their appearance in a new documentary has reignited conversation online and sparked renewed interest in one of the most talked-about celebrity relationships of that era, per OK! Magazine.
As many fans will remember, Culkin and Jackson developed a highly publicized friendship when the actor was one of the biggest child stars in the world thanks to the massive success of the Home Alone franchise. Their bond attracted attention for years, particularly as accusations against Jackson became increasingly public.
The documentary also revisits the role Culkin played during Jackson’s California legal battles. According to Jackson family attorney Brian Oxman, he personally contacted the actor when accusations involving Jackson were making headlines. Oxman recalled Culkin expressing support for Jackson and offering to testify on his behalf.
At the time, Culkin became one of Jackson’s most high-profile defenders. The actor has repeatedly denied ever being abused or touched inappropriately by the singer. While he acknowledged spending time at Neverland Ranch and even sleeping in the same room or bed as Jackson on occasion, he has consistently maintained that nothing sexual ever occurred.
Culkin Tells A Different Story
“I’ve never seen him do anything improper with anybody,” Culkin said when addressing the allegations. The documentary also includes commentary from investigative journalist Diane Dimond, who reflected on Culkin’s courtroom appearance during Jackson’s 2005 trial. She noted that the actor’s celebrity status appeared to make an impression on those in attendance.
Ultimately, Jackson was found not guilty of the charges he faced during that highly publicized case. However, the debate surrounding his life and relationships has never truly disappeared. That’s part of what makes stories like this continue to generate headlines decades later.
While Jackson remains one of the most influential entertainers in music history, allegations and counterclaims surrounding him continue to resurface through documentaries, books, interviews, and former employees sharing their memories.
“Be careful what you say,” one person wrote via X. “Strange doesn’t equal guilty,” another said of MJ. “Creepy no matter how you spin it,” a third person commented.
Whether viewers find the latest claims compelling or remain convinced by Culkin’s steadfast defense of Jackson, one thing is certain: conversations about the singer’s complicated legacy aren’t ending anytime soon. As the new documentary reaches audiences, it appears the public is once again revisiting one of Hollywood, California’s most controversial chapters.
Nina Franklin 
Lola Wheeler 
Sofia Bassett 
