A teenage 5 Seconds of Summer fan has issued a full retraction after she accused the band’s guitarist Michael Clifford of touching her inappropriately at a concert seven years ago.
The girl alleged on June 13 that Michael had followed her into a bathroom and began touching her ‘chest, arms and sides’ during a show at Tinley Park, Illinois, in 2013.
At the time, 5SOS were touring North America with One Direction as part of the British band’s Take Me Home tour.
Inside Michael Clifford’s false accusation nightmare: How a teenage 5 Seconds of Summer fan spent YEARS thinking the guitarist had ‘violated’ her – only to realise her abuser was another man who has since died. Pictured: Michael Clifford on January 28, 2017 in Los Angeles
She made the extraordinary claims via an anonymous Twitter account – but after her allegations went viral, she insisted the 24-year-old musician was totally innocent.
In a lengthy follow-up post, the girl – who was 14 at the time of the alleged incident – clarified that it was simply a case of mistaken identity.
She insisted she had been abused by a man at the concert, but it wasn’t Michael. Her actual abuser, she claimed, has since died.
‘He never touched me’: The girl alleged on Twitter on June 13 that Michael had followed her into a bathroom and began touching her ‘chest, arms and sides’ during a show in Illinois in 2013. In a lengthy follow-up post, she clarified that it was simply a case of mistaken identity
According to the woman, who would now be 21 years old, she spent years convinced that the Australian rock star had been responsible for the assault.
In her since-retracted original statement, she said: wrote: ‘Michael Clifford… slid into the audience – probably most would assume to enjoy the concert – and violated my safety and privacy.’
Three days later, on July 16, she tweeted that the man who had touched her was not Michael, and that the actual offender ‘is dead’.
‘Today, I found out I’ve been wrong for almost seven years. Today I found out that my offender is dead. My offender is NOT MICHAEL CLIFFORD,’ she wrote.
‘I am heartbroken’: Michael has categorically denied all accusations of inappropriate conduct, saying they are ‘beyond untrue’. ‘I am heartbroken to read these things that are being said – they are just BEYOND untrue,’ he tweeted on June 15
Explanation: In another tweet, Michael said it ‘would’ve been logistically impossible for me to get through a crowd’ at the height of 5SOS’ boy band fame
Michael has categorically denied all accusations of inappropriate conduct, saying they are ‘beyond untrue’.
‘I am heartbroken to read these things that are being said – they are just BEYOND untrue,’ he tweeted on June 15.
‘I was never allowed in the crowd I only ever watched at front of house – and I would’ve never EVER done that. I would NEVER do anything like that,’ he added.
In another tweet, Michael commented on a video of the 5SOS band members surrounded by fans in the audience.
‘This is what life was like in 2013. Please understand it would’ve been logistically impossible for me to get through a crowd at a show I just played at! I’m not trying to be defensive I promise this is just so completely false,’ he wrote.
Denial: In response to another Twitter user, Michael said of the allegations: ‘I really just don’t know what I can even say’
Setting the record straight: Michael added, ‘People are asking me to explain but how can I explain something that I was never involved with in the first place?’
‘The band were never allowed into the crowd’: Adam Wilkinson, who managed 5SOS at the time of the alleged incidents, jumped to Michael’s defence
In response to another Twitter user, Michael said of the allegations: ‘I really just don’t know what I can even say. People are asking me to explain but how can I explain something that I was never involved with in the first place?’
‘I truly want to give you what you’re asking from me but what more can I say?’ he added.
Adam Wilkinson, who managed 5SOS at the time of the alleged incidents, jumped to Michael’s defence, tweeting: ‘I can confirm at all times that the band were never allowed into the crowd and were always escorted to front of house by security and/or management including myself.’
Engaged: It comes after Michael announced his engagement to American model Crystal Leigh (right) in January 2019. The Australian musician proposed with a diamond ring at sunset while the couple were on holiday in Bali, Indonesia
It comes after Michael announced his engagement to American model Crystal Leigh in January 2019.
The Australian musician proposed with a diamond ring at sunset while the couple were on holiday in Bali, Indonesia.
Michael shared several photos of the moment he dropped down on one knee, writing in the caption: ‘I was lucky enough to ask the love of my life to marry me.’
‘In the last three years, she has helped evolve and shape who I am in ways I could never have imagined. I couldn’t ask for anyone better to spend the rest of my life with. I love loving you, Crystal.’
The lovebirds first started dating in 2016 and have been together for four years.
Michael confirmed his relationship with Crystal in an Instagram post on New Year’s Eve back in 2016.
Lovebirds: Michael and Crystal first started dating in 2016 and have been together four years
Sharing a video of the couple kissing in front of a fireworks display, the boy band member told fans: ‘I know I’m late, but happy new year everyone. Especially to my love @crystalleigh for making 2016 infinitely better than I thought it would be.’
‘Here’s to much greener pastures in 2017, and much less awkward hand motions. (you know I’m bad at this),’ he added.
Before meeting Crystal, Michael had previously dated actress Abigail Breslin.
Australian stars: The members of 5 Seconds of Summer are (from left to right) Michael Clifford, Luke Hemmings, Ashton Irwin and Calum Hood