Jackson Speaks out in Interview

By James Wray Feb 4, 2005, 23:08 GMT

The singer, speaking in an interview to be broadcast on Fox News this Saturday, says his celebrity has made him a target. He goes on to say he believes he "won God's smile of approval" for helping children at his ranch.

Jackson is under a gag order and so could not directly plead his innocence but he did say reports in the media were fictional.

"The bigger the star, the bigger the target. … But truth always prevails," the singer said.

He also defended his Neverland ranch saying he built it to do the things he never could as a child celebrity: "We couldn't go to movie theaters. We couldn't go to Disneyland. We couldn't do all those fun things. We were on tour. We were working hard."

"Other men have their Ferraris and their airplanes or helicopter or wherever they find their bliss," he added.

The interview itself was recorded several weeks ago.

Jackson has pleaded not guilty to four charges of molesting the boy and four counts of administering alcohol to help him carry out the alleged lewd acts. Other charges he faces are conspiracy in child abduction, false imprisonment and extortion, and a charge of attempted child molestation.