Barbra Streisand apologised for her remarks about Michael Jackson and two men who have accused him of sexual abuse, saying that she should have chosen her words more carefully and that she admires the accusers for "speaking their truth".

Key points: Streisand posted a further apology online after making a statement to The Associated Press

Streisand posted a further apology online after making a statement to The Associated Press Jackson's estate has condemned the HBO documentary Leaving Neverland

Jackson's estate has condemned the HBO documentary Leaving Neverland Singer Diana Ross also attracted attention for her remarks on Twitter about Jackson

Streisand received widespread criticism after she was quoted in The Times of London as saying Jackson's accusers, Wade Robson and James Safechuck, were "thrilled to be there" during the alleged abuse documented in the film Leaving Neverland, which "didn't kill them".

After an initial statement to The Associated Press, in which she sought to clarify her remarks, the superstar of song, stage and screen posted an apology online that went further.

"I am profoundly sorry for any pain or misunderstanding I caused by not choosing my words more carefully about Michael Jackson and his victims," she wrote.

"I didn't mean to dismiss the trauma these boys experienced in any way.

"Like all survivors of sexual assault, they will have to carry this for the rest of their lives. I feel deep remorse and I hope that James and Wade know that I truly respect and admire them for speaking their truth."

Streisand was quoted as saying she "absolutely" believed the accusers. ( AP: Chris Pizzello )

The apology went beyond the earlier statement, in which she elaborated on her published remarks, saying she felt "nothing but sympathy" for Mr Robson and Mr Safechuck, who accused the late star of molesting them as children.

She wrote in that earlier statement: "To be crystal clear, there is no situation or circumstance where it is OK for the innocence of children to be taken advantage of by anyone."

The remarks in question were published after a wide-ranging interview with The Times.

Asked about Jackson, Streisand was quoted as saying she "absolutely" believed Mr Robson and Mr Safechuck, who make their allegations in the recent HBO documentary that was aired at the Sundance Film Festival.

Jackson's estate has condemned the film.

Jackson, who died in 2009, was found not guilty in 2005 of charges he molested a 13-year-old boy.

Streisand was asked about the documentary, which she called "too painful". She then said that Jackson, when she met him, was "very sweet, very childlike".

Leaving Neverland director Dan Reed (centre) with documentary participants Wade Robson (left) and James Safechuck. ( AP: Taylor Jewell/Invision )

Asked how she reconciled that man with the one portrayed in the documentary, she replied: "His sexual needs were his sexual needs, coming from whatever childhood he has or whatever DNA he has."

"You can say 'molested', but those children, as you heard say, they were thrilled to be there. They both married and they both have children, so it didn't kill them."

Among those firing back on social media was the director of Leaving Neverland, Dan Reed, who wrote of that last quote: "Did you really say that?!"

Asked by The Times whether she was angry at Jackson, Streisand said: "It's a combination of feelings. I feel bad for the children. I feel bad for him. I blame, I guess, the parents who would allow their children to sleep with him."

Also attracting attention for remarks about Jackson was his close friend and mentor Diana Ross.

"This is what's on my heart this morning," Ross wrote on Twitter.

"I believe and trust that Michael Jackson was and is a magnificent incredible force to me and to many others.

"STOP IN THE NAME OF LOVE."

AP