Janet Jackson has dismissed a long-running rumour that she had a "secret child" with her first husband, James DeBarge, during the year they were married. In an interview on A&E and Lifetime's two-part docuseries, Janet, Jackson shut down the 30-year-old . .component--type-recirculation .item:nth-child(5) { That's not a life for anyone. This video is unavailable because we were unable to load a message from our sponsors. Published on January 26, 2022 06:30 PM. How could I keep a child from their father? she asked in interview. That eventually led to the duo deciding to get married in 1984, with Jackson getting a blessing from LaToya though she kept her plans hidden from the rest of her family. Janet Jackson and James DeBarge eloped in 1984, only to annul their marriage the next year. After Jackson had finally had enough, it culminated with them getting an annulment in 1985. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. It wasnt easy for us to see each other being that she was very well protected by her mom and dad, said DeBarge. How could I keep a child from their father? Hollywood Life, Latest Hollywood Celebrity & Entertainment News. "Back in the day they were saying I had a child and I kept it secret," said Jackson, as "Fame" costar Debbie Allen recalled Janet being with them every day on set around the time she would have allegedly been pregnant, asking, "Where was the baby? ", DeBarge said Renee "is a wonderful singer.". Also responding to People's questioning, DeBarge dramatically said that Jackson was more than just his wife she was his sister, his mother, his everything. The comments given by him were able to support most reports which revolved around . In her new docuseries, Janet Jackson reminisced about her marriage to James DeBarge in 1984. Janet Jackson addresses the ongoing rumors that she and her ex-husband James DeBarge had a secret baby in the 1980s. Fellow stars including Mariah Carey, Missy Elliott, Janelle Mone, Paula Abdul and Tyler Perry also contributed to the series. He was a nice guy., But although they felt safe with each other, DeBarge admitted, I dont know why anyone would trust me., The young lovebirds would sneak around to see each other as much as possible. American singer, songwriter, and dancer (19582009), used to fat-shame her, calling her a pig and slaughter hog. Yes, that rumor still lingers propelled . Janet Jackson and James DeBarge, who were briefly married in 1984, had a daughter together, DeBarge's brother Young DeBarge has claimed on a radio program. "They weren't very revealing about what the relationship was about.". I can not wait for her documentary I'm very happy that she is telling her story in her own words. 3 min read. Janet was two years out from her first self-titled album and wouldn't release Control, the album that turned her into a mega-star, for another two years. McClain pressured Jackson to annul the union only eight months after the wedding, based on 1986 reporting from People. But who knows what goes on behind closed doors? display: block; Sadly, it seems that the once-talented singer's legacy and claim to fame is tied up with the women in his life: his daughter, Kristinia DeBarge, and his ex-wife Janet Jackson. ", According to John McClain, a record executive at Janet's label A & M, the marriage between Jackson and DeBarge could torpedo Jackson's fledgling music career. I started dating him when I was 16, Jackson said. In her new documentary, she's setting the record straight. October 24, 2005 / 10:04 PM "Her adoptive mother and on her death bed said she told her. Jackson, 50, is now pregnant with her first child with husband Wissam Al Mana. On January 3, 2017, Jackson and her then-husband Wissam Al Mana welcomed their son, Eissa Al Mana. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Hollywood Life Nobody saw a baby. For Ms. Jackson if you're nasty it seems, 18 was the age to rebel against her, well, famously controlling parents. Somewhere along the way, a story came to light that Janet had gotten pregnant while starring on the hit show, Fame, and had a secret daughter tucked away no one knew about. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved. She claimed the rumors started after she gained weight from birth control. #inline-recirc-item--id-9de0687a-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d ~ .item:nth-child(5) { Janet Jackson is shutting down long-standing rumors that she and first husband James DeBarge welcomed a secret child during their year-long . She eventually welcomed son Eissa in 2017, who just recently celebrated his 5th birthday, with Wissam Al Mana ,who she married in 2012, but divorced in 2017. DeBarges drug abuse would contribute to more problems for the newlyweds. "I wanted to be able to stand on my own feet and at that time I felt there was no other way to get my own life unless I got married," she said. He calls every once in a while and says 'Hi,' but I really don't know.". And, when it comes to her personal life, the show covers her first marriage and divorce and the star on her way toward her second marriage. But Janet maintains she never had a daughter, or any child at all with her ex James, and if she did, she wouldve never kept them from him. Arguably DeBarge's biggest hit was. All Rights Reserved. And that's what happened to me. ", What Janet Jackson's Short Marriage To James DeBarge Was Like. And for three hours, he never came back, said Jackson. ET has reached out to Jackson for comment. She gave birth to her first child, son Eissa El Mana, in 2017. But it is.". My sister Toya said if that's what you want to do, then you should do it. The two were married in 1984 when Jackson was 18 and DeBarge was 21. They started dating when she was 16, with Janet calling him a "sweet" and "nice guy.". In 1984, "That's The Way Love Goes" singer Janet Jackson was just 18 when she eloped with fellow musician, James DeBarge, part of the R&B group DeBarge. Doing the math, an 18-year-old child would have been born in 1986 or 1987,. ET recently spoke to Jackson's good friend, Tyler Perry, who said he was "excited" for her pregnancy. During this same period, a rumor was born that Janet had a secret child with DeBarge. Shortly after she married at 18, rumors swirled that Janet Jackson had a secret daughter she had given away. 45,187, This story has been shared 42,867 times. We don't know how, but Etterlene thought then 31-year-old Philadelphia native Tiffany Whyte was the daughter of James DeBarge and Janet Jackson. display: none; Back in the day they were saying that I had a child and I kept it secret, Janet said in an interview in her new documentary, Janet Jackson. The two-night, four-hour "Janet" event airs Friday and Saturday night on both Lifetime and A&E. Her two previous marriages were a year-long union with soul singer James DeBarge in the mid . This story has been shared 168,331 times. by her father Joe Jackson, whose abusive methods turned her brothers into The Jackson Five. One of the biggest things being teased about the doc ahead of its premiere was Janet finally addressing persistent rumors she and first husband James DeBarge had a secret love child in the '80s -- a kid she supposedly had her sister Rebbie raise to keep up the ruse. / AP. She was the youngest of ten children in the Jackson family, a working-class African-American family living in a two-bedroom house on Jackson Street. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. She laughs off the possibility of Jackson keeping a pregnancy secret during that time period, given that she spent so much time around her costars while filming the show. Keke Palmer and Darius Jackson Welcome First Child, Baby Boy Leodis 'Leo' Andrellton. I hope it's peaches 'n' cream behind closed doors too. The episodes revolve around the early years of the legendary performer's career, from her time as a child star and teen actor up until her first big tour following the release of "Rhythm Nation" in 1989. They went to Grand Rapids, Mich. and eloped. It was at that age, in fact, that Jackson embarked upon her short-lived marriage to singer James DeBarge, of the family group DeBarge, behind '80s R & B pop hits like "Rhythm of the Night" and "All This Love." I dont know, maybe its this person in me that wants to help people. These days, Janet has a very different life and relationship. }, First published on October 24, 2005 / 10:04 PM. Copyright 2023 Distractify. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. She also attributed weight gain at that time to the birth control she was on. Miss Jackson decided to clear up a rumor that plagued her since her 1984 marriage to singer James Debarge. I was just incredibly innocent, she says with tears in her eyes in the documentary. Janet did become a mother decades later when she and her third husband, billionaire businessman Wissam Al Mana, welcomed a son, Eissa, in January 2017. ", "I didn't care, because what was more important than my work was James. Rachel DeSantis. Cause I knew that he needed help. Bei der Nutzung unserer Websites und Apps verwenden wir, unsere Websites und Apps fr Sie bereitzustellen, Nutzer zu authentifizieren, Sicherheitsmanahmen anzuwenden und Spam und Missbrauch zu verhindern, und, Ihre Nutzung unserer Websites und Apps zu messen, personalisierte Werbung und Inhalte auf der Grundlage von Interessenprofilen anzuzeigen, die Effektivitt von personalisierten Anzeigen und Inhalten zu messen, sowie, unsere Produkte und Dienstleistungen zu entwickeln und zu verbessern. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. These lyrics kick-off Janet Jackson's 1986 album "Control": "When I was 17 / I did what people told me / Did what my father said / I let my mother mold me" (via AllMusic). Please enter valid email address to continue. The 55-year-old artist addressed. ", "They were saying I was raising her daughter," added Rebbie. We've received your submission. Janet Jackson addresses secret DeBarge baby, relationship with Michael in 'Janet' documentary Melissa Ruggieri USA TODAY 0:00 1:26 Nearly 50 years into her career, Janet Jackson is. "I had started taking birth control pills, and back then, you could pick up weight taking them. I was under the impression that there was no baby, and I wanted to believe its not true. Jackson only has one child, born just a few years ago. Brady: Janet Jacksons Super Bowl Nipplegate was good for the NFL, Justin Timberlakes zodiac sign powers one of the worlds richest singers, There are 30+ shows coming to MSG in 2023. The pair were married when Jackson was 18 and DeBarge was 21. Jackson said that. I don't know where that ridiculous idea came from. Janet Jackson airs Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. she joked, recalling their parents were "shocked" when they found out she got married. Sie knnen Ihre Einstellungen jederzeit ndern, indem Sie auf unseren Websites und Apps auf den Link Datenschutz-Dashboard klicken. According to a later report from Radar Online, the woman and DeBarge eventually took a paternity test that proved they weren't related after all. It was at that age, in fact, that Jackson embarked upon her short-lived marriage to singer James DeBarge, of the family group DeBarge, behind '80s R & B pop hits like "Rhythm of the Night" and "All This Love. So I did, in secret. Terms of Use After they eloped to Grand Rapids, Michigan, where they were married by DeBarges uncle I even remember putting a ring on my finger and putting it on the wrong finger, said Jackson the groom left his bride alone on their wedding night. "One of her adoptive parents died," he said. Jackson, 39, secretly married Rene Elizondo Jr. in 1991. Growing up in a famous family with a somewhat terrifying father, Janet Jackson has been in the spotlight since she was a child. "James and I decided to get married. She is residing with Rebbie Jackson who is the eldest sister of Janet. Jackson and DeBarge a member of his family's singing group, DeBarge, which had several hit songs in the 1980s eloped in 1984 when she was 18 years old and he was 21. Janet Jackson denies long-standing rumors that she secretly had a baby with ex-husband James DeBarge in the 1980s in her new documentary. I could never do that, thats not right." In the mid-80s, it was the rumor that could not be contained. During the documentary she also laughed off other rumours, including that her brother Randys daughter, Stevanna, was actually her daughter. At least 12 dead after winter storm slams South, Midwest, The Saturday Six: Dental device controversy, scientist's bug find and more, Indonesia fuel depot fire kills 18; more than a dozen missing, 3 children killed, 2 others wounded at Texas home, Man charged for alleged involvement in 2 transformer explosions, Nikki Haley slams potential GOP contenders, and Trump and George W. Bush, Duo of 81-year-old women plan to see the world in 80 days, Tom Sizemore, actor known for "Saving Private Ryan" and "Heat," dies at 61, Alex Murdaugh trial: What to know about the double murder case, School shooting survivor has emotional audition on "American Idol", How the creator of Dilbert went from star to "train wreck", 2023 Oscars: Watch scenes from the best picture nominees. And while the point of the interview was supposed to be an apology to Janet for how the family handled the rumors, instead Bunny doubled down. ", Calling herself "just incredibly innocent" at the time, she added it was "hurtful for someone to see that and just try to take advantage of it and knowing you don't know any better and lie to you." For Ms. Jackson if you're nasty it seems, 18 was the age to rebel against her, well, famously controlling parents. Jackson and DeBarge were married from Sept. 7, 1984, until Nov. 18, 1985. How historically accurate is "The Crown"? He said, Okay, Ill be right back. And Im sitting in ahotel room in Grand Rapids, Michigan, by myself, just 18. 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But the couples marriage was short-lived, ending in an annulment in November 1985 after Janet found out that the Rhythm of the Night crooner had been using drugs. We've received your submission. I cared so much for him, and I saw the good in him as well and I just wanted that to take precedence as opposed to this ugliness. There are a lot of nights that I would go searching the streets looking for him 8 oclock in the morning, 4 oclock in the morning, said Jackson. ", "So that rumor started going around," she added, before getting emotional as she said she "could never keep a child away from James" if they had one together. 2023 Oscars: Watch scenes from the best picture nominees On that note, when asked if there was a chance for the couple to reconcile, Jackson replied, "I don't know, I really don't know. James has spoken about their alleged love child numerous times over the years and a woman named Tiffany Whyte even appeared on "Growing Up Hip Hop" claiming to be the child in question: Speaking more about her relationship with James, Janet said the two of them used to talk on the phone a lot as kids, because one of his brothers had a thing for her sister La Toya. Young DeBarge said the child, named Renee and now 18, has been living with Rebbie Jackson, Janet's oldest sister. Sign up for notifications from Insider! "I couldn't believe it. In a newly released clip from WE TV's Growing Up Hip Hop, 53-year-old DeBarge claims that he has a secret daughter with Jackson. I could never do that, that's not right.. "I'm excited for her, because I know what that means.". When asked about the rumors that the newlyweds were battling, El replied, "All I've seen is that it's all peaches 'n' cream. "I don't know, maybe it's this person in me that wants to help people Subconsciously, when it comes to relationships, somehow I'm attracted to people that use drugs," Jackson added. The documentary explains that tabloids suggested Jackson's sister Rebbie was raising the child or even that Jackson's adopted niece was really her own child. ET on Lifetime and A&E. And back then, you could pick up weight taking them, and thats what happened to me, so that rumor started going around.. Last month, Jackson and her hubby stepped out again in London, holding hands. "I think that is going to give her a sense of fulfillment that she's never had before," he added. In the doc Janet , she denies secretly having their baby after they split and giving it to one of her siblings to raise. "I was under the impression that there was no baby, and I wanted to believe it's not true. The Grammy-winning Rhythm Nation artist married DeBarge in 1984, when she was just 18. The second episode of her new documentary series on A&E, Janet Jackson addresses the rumor that she had a secret child with her first husband James DeBarge, saying she would never keep a child away from their father. display: none; What's more, Bunny said that Tiffany was one of about 10 women who contacted her family claiming to be the secret child in what Bunny called "fame seeking.". In her new documentary, Janet Jackson denies the rumor that she had a child with James DeBarge. Though she admitted they were probably related in some way, Tiffany looked nothing like James or Janet. The marriage was annulled just a year later, in 1985. During part one of the documentary, Jackson revealed that her late brother Michael Jacksonused to fat-shame her, calling her a pig and slaughter hog. Email address ", The marriage had a negative affect on her professional life as well, as Debbie Allen recalled her being closed off while working on "Fame" and Janet admitted "there were a lot of times I was late for work. But it is, he told his daughter Kristinia DeBarge in a November 2016 episode of the WE tv series Growing Up Hip Hop.. School shooting survivor has emotional audition on "American Idol" #ControlTheNarrative #Iconic Janet4ever @lifetimetv, That said, Bunny didn't buy it. All Rights Reserved. We found 107 80s acts on tour in 2023. Who are they? 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Klicken Sie auf Alle ablehnen, wenn Sie nicht mchten, dass wir und unsere Partner Cookies und personenbezogene Daten fr diese zustzlichen Zwecke verwenden. Weitere Informationen ber die Verwendung Ihrer personenbezogenen Daten finden Sie in unserer Datenschutzerklrung und unserer Cookie-Richtlinie. According to DeBarge's mother, Etterlene DeBarge, Jackson had separated from . According to the rumor,. As that happened, a lot of people became interested with Janet Jackson James Debarge daughter. & 2023 CBS Studios Inc. and CBS Interactive Inc., Paramount companies. After decades of rumors about Janet Jackson and James DeBarge's daughter and claims they had a secret child before their divorce, the conspiracy theories have officially been shut down. Young DeBarge, 28, said he has recently finished an album. Janet Jackson, a two-night four-part documentary, premieres on Jan. 28 at 8:00 p.m. EST on Lifetime. I mean, she was there with us all day, every day. Jackson and DeBarge secretly wed in 1984, when she as 18 and Debarge was 21. Back then, you could pick up weight taking them and that's what happened to me. Thats not right, Jackson, 55, says in the upcoming two-night Lifetime and A&E special. Janet Jackson did not have a secret baby in the '80s that she kept from husband James DeBarge and the world. 3:00 in the morning, 4:00 in the morning. "I don't know what's going to happen. But no, I've never had a child. I just had to be with her all the time. I even remember putting a ring on my finger and putting it on the wrong finger," she recalled. At the time, the speculation took different angles. Forty years later, Janet is still trying to shut down the story. 60,642, This story has been shared 45,187 times. So that rumor started going around.". I remember driving back home to my parents house, I was just done. James' bombastic revelation came at a particularly sensitive time, as Janet was expecting her first child at 50, and gave birth to her son Eissa Al Mana in January 2017. Young DeBarge said the. Where was the baby? Jackson, 55, denied ever having a child with singer James DeBarge. She spoke about how DeBarge left her alone in a hotel room for three hours. I could never do that, thats not right., So how exactly did all the rumors get started? The singer's big pregnancy news came after she announced in April that she would be postponing her tour to start a family. Janet Damita Jo Jackson was born on May 16, 1966, in Gary, Indiana. Janet Jackson dismissed rumors of having a secret child with ex-husband James DeBarge during the second episode of her documentary series on A&E. Jackson said that she would never keep a child . "It didn't bother me at all until I started learning things that wasn't cool," added Tito, before Janet revealed that it didn't take long for her to see some red flags. She was still heavily controlled (get it?) document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Janet Jackson denies long-standing rumors that she secretly had a baby with ex-husband James DeBarge in the 1980s in her new documentary. How the creator of Dilbert went from star to "train wreck" Debbie Allen, who led the TV series as Lydia Grant, remembers being taken aback by their co-stars speculation, too. Janet will be available to watch on Sky Documentaries and NOW from Monday 31 January. "He was so mad and so frustrated and when he got out of the car, I locked the doors. I would wait for James sometimes to pick me up and I mean wait, two-and-a-half hours late. 2023 EHM Productions, Inc. All rights reserved. She claimed that when Janet and James split up, she personally saw Janet pregnant, and that James was also aware of the alleged pregnancy.