Michael Jackson’s pet chimpanzee Bubbles is said to have been kicked out of Neverland for performing a solo sex act in front of “busloads” of child visitors to the singer’s infamous ranch.
The singer, who died aged 50 from a massive overdose of hospital-grade tranquiliser he used to get to sleep, was known during the 1980s for his highly publicised bond with Bubbles, a chimpanzee he kept at his Neverland Ranch in California.
The pair’s bizarre relationship, which saw Bubbles accompany Michael on tour, wear matching outfits and share living spaces, has long been cited as emblematic of the singer’s unconventional lifestyle.
Renewed focus on their bond has come as the Jackson family-backed film Michael revisits his early career prior to 1988, a period that included the height of his success following albums such as Thriller and Bad.
According to writer Stephen Davis, who worked closely with Michael on a biography, Bubbles was ultimately removed from Neverland after a series of incidents involving visiting children.
In comments which have resurfaced and reshared by fans in the wake of the release of Michael, Stephen said in an interview just after Michael’s death: “What happened to Bubbles in the end was that he started j*** off in front of busloads of school children who would come to Neverland Ranch.”
He added: “So they kept him out of sight and re-trained him.”
Stephen continued: “But one day, some very important children came to Neverland – from Japan, I heard later – and because the kids wanted to know where Bubbles was, they brought the monkey out.”
He said: “So they bring him out, but he had managed to reach into the diaper and had these two handfuls of monkey s*** in his paw, which he threw at the kids. And that was the end of Bubbles.”
Sources familiar with Michael’s circle have also told RadarOnline.com the alleged incidents marked a shift in how the animal was managed.
One insider told the outlet: “There was a growing realization that Bubbles was no longer a novelty or harmless companion – he had become unpredictable and difficult to control… what began as an affectionate relationship with Michael shifted as the chimp matured, and the risks became impossible to ignore.”
Bubbles was reportedly removed from his domestic environment by 2003 and later relocated in 2005 to the Center for Great Apes in Wauchula, Florida.
Now 43, the chimpanzee is described by caregivers as calmer in later life. A source connected to his care also told Radar: “He has become something of a leader among the other chimpanzees – very different from the chaotic image people might expect from his earlier years.”
Staff at the sanctuary have said Bubbles maintains playful behaviours, including splashing water and throwing sand, while also producing artwork sold to support the facility.
His care is reportedly still funded by Michael’s estate, with costs estimated at up to $30,000 annually.
The renewed attention to Bubbles’ history coincides with criticism of the forthcoming biopic Michael, which has faced accusations of omitting controversial aspects of the singer’s life, including the allegations of child abuse that followed him throughout his career.
