5 Seconds of Summer‘s guitarist Michael Clifford was spotted for the first time on Wednesday, after a he was falsely accused of ‘inappropriately touching’ a teenage fan’s ‘chest, arms and sides’ at a concert back in 2013.
The singer and songwriter, 24, enjoyed lunch with his fiancée Crystal Leigh in Los Angeles.
The guitarist kept a low profile in a hat as he walked alongside Crystal to the cafe.
Lunch date: 5 Seconds of Summer guitarist Michael Clifford enjoyed lunch with his fiancée Crystal Leigh in Los Angeles on Wednesday after a teenage fan withdrew false claims he ‘violated’ her at a concert
Michael wore a black printed T-shirt, matching coloured shorts and black sneakers to the lunch date.
Crystal also looked stylish in a pair of activewear tights, a white jumper and a pair of sneakers.
She styled her blonde locks in waves and let her natural beauty shine with minimal makeup.
Style: He donned a casual ensemble and kept a low profile in a hat as he walked alongside Crystal as they made their way to a cafe
On June 13, a Twitter user alleged that Michael had touched her ‘chest, arms and sides’ while 5SOS were performing at Tinley Park, Illinois, in 2013.
The anonymous user, who claims she was 14 at the time, wrote: ‘Michael Clifford… slid into the audience – probably most would assume to enjoy the concert – and violated my safety and privacy.’
The individual has since retracted these claims, however.
Comfortable:Crystal also looked stylish in a pair of activewear tights, a white jumper and a pair of sneakers
At the time, 5SOS were touring North America with One Direction as part of the British band’s Take Me Home tour.
Also on June 13, another Twitter user alleged that ‘MC’ had reached up her mini skirt and ‘kept saying disgusting things into her ear’ at a 5SOS show.
The user claims she was 14 years old when the alleged incident occurred.
Michael has categorically denied these allegations, 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.
Beauty: She styled her brunette locks in waves which fell effortlessly by her shoulders while letting her natural beauty shine with minimal makeup
Allegations: On June 13, a Twitter user alleged that Michael had touched her ‘chest, arms and sides’ while 5SOS were performing at Tinley Park, Illinois, in 2013
‘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.
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.
‘I am heartbroken’: Michael has categorically denied these allegations, saying they are ‘beyond untrue’
‘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
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.’
The girl who alleged Michael had touched her ‘chest, arms and sides’ at the 2013 show in Illinois has since retracted her claims.
On June 16, she tweeted that the man who touched her was not Michael Clifford, 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.
Retraction: A girl who alleged Michael had touched her ‘chest, arms and sides’ at a 5SOS concert in Illinois in 2013 has since retracted her claims. On June 16, she tweeted that the man who touched her was not Michael Clifford, and that the actual offender ‘is dead’
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Michael Clifford for comment.
It comes after Michael announced his engagement to American model Crystal 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.’
Lovebirds: Michael and Crystal first started dating in 2016 and have been together four years
‘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.
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