Who do some people get treated different?

I find something messed up, I have a friend who has been accused of the same thing as Michael Jackson was, consensual sex with a child under 13, but because Michael Jackson was a famous talented icon society doesn’t say really anything about him and what he was accused of, but anyone who knows what my friend was accused of would say nothing but nasty things about him, I also knew this guy that was in his 40’s who had sex with a 12yr old and she did consent so her mom didn’t press charges and he is now in counseling and all people say is he is a child molester and how sick he is, but it seems because Michael was a famous icon and very talented he is treated different than regular people who aren’t famous or have the same talent. Why is he treated so different and does anyone else find this hypocritical and messed up like I do?