In the 2005, when Michael Jackson was on trial for molestation charges, Wade Robson defended the King of Pop in court, stating that Jackson never molested him or anyone he knew. Since that time, Robson has gone on to become an award-winning choreographer, working with stars such as Justin Timberlake and creating routines for the network TV show So You Think You Can Dance. He reportedly stayed friends with Jackson until the singer’s death.

This week, Robson recanted his past claims, now stating that he was, in fact, molested by Jackson. According to a TMZ report, Robson is now calling Jackson a “monster” who molested him for seven years, from age 7 to 14.

Robson’s Lawyer stated that Robson had a nervous breakdown last year due to his past. TMZ is now citing unnamed “sources close to the Robson family” as saying Robson began breaking contracts and attending therapy in March 2012.

The claims came as a shock to Robson’s family and Jackson’s fans, as Robson had always staunchly defended the pop star against the allegations. His about-face has prompted much speculation on Twitter over whether Robson was lying in the past or is lying now:

(Image courtesy Wade Robson/Wikimedia Commons)