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. School shooting survivor has emotional audition on "American Idol" Janet Jackson denies long-standing rumors that she secretly had a baby with ex-husband James DeBarge in the 1980s in her new documentary. ET has reached out to Jackson for comment. ET on Lifetime and A&E. Growing up in a famous family with a somewhat terrifying father, Janet Jackson has been in the spotlight since she was a child. Shortly after she married at 18, rumors swirled that Janet Jackson had a secret daughter she had given away. She had already released two albums to middling success by that point and wanted to independence from her notoriously controlling father and manager, Joe Jackson. ", DeBarge said Renee "is a wonderful singer.". The comments given by him were able to support most reports which revolved around . WATCH: Janet Jackson and Husband Wissam Al Mana Step Out for the First Time Since Announcing Pregnancy. For Ms. Jackson if you're nasty it seems, 18 was the age to rebel against her, well, famously controlling parents. Janet Jackson clears up decades-old rumor she had a secret baby - Yahoo "Back in the day they were saying that I had a child and I kept it secret," the singer said in the documentary. Janet Jackson addresses the ongoing rumors that she and her ex-husband James DeBarge had a secret baby in the 1980s. ", 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. 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. Janet Jackson is shutting down long-standing rumors that she and first husband James DeBarge welcomed a secret child during their year-long . But it is, he told his daughter Kristinia DeBarge in a November 2016 episode of the WE tv series Growing Up Hip Hop.. Anyone hoping for a shocking reveal is in for a letdown though, as Jackson officially called BS on the gossip. Paris Jackson Is in a New Hulu Movie but She Certainly Doesn't Need the Money! Janet tries to shed some light on that in the documentary as well, pointing to a time in her life when she started to put on some weight, but for a very different reason. "I'm tired of the truth not coming forward, and people being a coward when it comes to it. as well as other partner offers and accept our. The singer was starring on season four of NBC's Fame . October 24, 2005 / 10:04 PM She claimed the rumors started after she gained weight from birth control. We've received your submission. We found 107 80s acts on tour in 2023. Who are they? DNA Don't Lie! The Results Are In For Janet Jackson & James DeBarge's At the time, the speculation took different angles. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. I don't know where that ridiculous idea came from. In her new documentary, she's setting the record straight. Please enter valid email address to continue. "They weren't very revealing about what the relationship was about.". He added, "There's no telling what (Janet Jackson) is telling her. But it is.". Stay up to date with what you want to know. She is now 18 years old. 71,303, This story has been shared 60,642 times. Addressing the long-standing rumor in part two of her upcoming documentary, Jackson dispelled the claim that she and James DeBarge had a child in the 80s, let alone that she would have hidden that . So I did, in secret. "Back in the day they were saying that I had a child and I kept it secret," she said. She even shares a harrowing story of rolling around on the floor with James, fighting to take pills from him. James said he always had his suspicions that Janet had a baby. The 55-year-old artist addressed. In her new docuseries, Janet Jackson reminisced about her marriage to James DeBarge in 1984. ", In a 1985 interview with the Los Angeles Times, James' brother El shared that his family, the DeBarges and the Jacksons, another famous music family from the era, had known each other for quite some time and that James and Janet had dated for two years before they eloped. 386K views 6 years ago #InsideEdition Rumors of Janet Jackson having a secret child more than 30 years ago have resurfaced since she gave birth to a baby boy this week. Hollywood Life 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. I don't know, maybe it's this person in me that wants to help people. More Details Are Revealed About Janet Jackson's Alleged - YouTube 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. DeBarges drug abuse would contribute to more problems for the newlyweds. Janet Jackson did not have a secret baby in the '80s that she kept from husband James DeBarge and the world. She spoke about how DeBarge left her alone in a hotel room for three hours. display: block; Janet Jackson Breaks Silence On Rumored Secret Daughter With Ex James DeBarge Shortly after she married at 18, rumors swirled that Janet Jackson had a secret daughter she had given away.. she asked, "I could never do that. I could never keep a child away from James. Now, Kristinia. The pair were married when Jackson was 18 and DeBarge was 21. Jackson, 39, secretly married Rene Elizondo Jr. in 1991. 42,867, 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved Her mother, Katherine Esther Jackson (ne Scruse), played clarinet and piano, had aspired to be a country-and-western performer, and worked part-time at Sears. Offers may be subject to change without notice. The gossip really got out of hand, though, when people dragged Jacksons family into it. I eventually learned that he was into drugs," she claimed. Sign up for notifications from Insider! So that rumor started going around.". Subconsciously, when it comes to relationships, somehow Im attracted to people that use drugs.. ", Though Janet said she saw a lot of good in him and "wanted that to take precedence, as opposed to this ugliness," she also acknowledged that he "needed help. Nobody saw a baby. And back then, you could pick up weight taking them, and thats what happened to me, so that rumor started going around.. "I couldn't believe it. display: none; Jackson was 18 when she and DeBarge first hooked up. In her new documentary, Janet Jackson denies the rumor that she had a child with James DeBarge. 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.". Jackson's publicist didn't immediately return a call from The Associated Press on Monday. 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. Shortly after marrying fellow singer James DeBarge in 1984, a young Janet Jackson found herself at the center of some major gossip. Janet Jackson shuts down rumour of 'secret baby' with James DeBarge That was the first red flag for Janet, who spent many nights searching the streets for him, often as late as 8 oclock in the morning. Related: How the creator of Dilbert went from star to "train wreck" Published on January 26, 2022 06:30 PM. It seems no matter where Janet Jackson turns, she deals with control in some form or another. Janet Jacket gives fans a rare look into her love life on the first two hours of her "Janet" docuseries for A&E on Friday night. I remember driving back home to my parents house, I was just done. 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. I could never do that, thats not right., So how exactly did all the rumors get started? James' mother, Etterlene DeBarge, also spoke with Inside Edition because she believed she found James' child. Rachel DeSantis. According to Young DeBarge, the name of the said secret child is Renee. James DeBarge Was Janet Jackson's First Husband - AmoMama Janet Jackson's ex-husband, singer James DeBarge, just dropped an alleged baby bombshell. And I thought it was wise for me to speak out now because it needs to be addressed. We've received your submission. They later eloped, but their marriage was annulled in 1985. In the two-part Janet Jackson documentary, she reveals, "at that time I thought that there was no other way I would be able to kind of get my own life unless I got married. Unfortunately, Janet's new marriage came with James' drug problem. Fellow stars including Mariah Carey, Missy Elliott, Janelle Mone, Paula Abdul and Tyler Perry also contributed to the series. "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? 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. 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. DeBarge claims that in the emails he received from the woman, he was told that Jackson had allegedly put her up for adoption. 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. Forty years later, Janet is still trying to shut down the story. But I wasnt the help that he needed.. Clearly, there were more problems in Jackson and DeBarge's marriage than just record label concern over marketability. Singer Janet Jackson has, at 50, given birth to her first child, a boy, her publicist confirms. } 'Janet Jackson' Doc Talks Michael, Joe and James DeBarge Baby Rumor First they were saying my niece Brandi was my daughter and that I gave her to [my brother] Jackie to raise, she recalls. . At that point, "Control" was a chart-topping hit, making Jackson a superstar. Where is James DeBarge Now? - The Cinemaholic Where was the baby? The New Lifetime Documentary 'Janet' Lets Janet Jackson Tell Her Own Story, Was Michael Jackson Framed? People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. "When I was doing 'Fame,' a lot of the kids thought I was pregnant because I had gained weight and I started taking birth control pills. Debbie Allen, who led the TV series as Lydia Grant, remembers being taken aback by their co-stars speculation, too. }, First published on October 24, 2005 / 10:04 PM. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). Miss Jackson decided to clear up a rumor that plagued her since her 1984 marriage to singer James Debarge. 3 things to know about Janet Jackson's secret daughter 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. Subconsciously, when it comes to relationships, somehow I'm attracted to people that use drugs. Janet Jackson airs Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. And I'm sitting in a hotel room in Grand Rapids, Michigan by myself, just 18 and for 3 hours he never came back. When asked about the rumor by his daughter Kristinia, DeBarge replied that he was tired of the secrecy, adding, "I was under the impression that there was no baby, and I wanted to believe it's not true. Jackson only has one child, born just a few years ago. The "Rhythm Nation" singer eloped with DeBarge in 1984, but the marriage was annulled in 1985. Janet Jackson clears up decades-old rumor she had a secret baby with ex Back then, you could pick up weight taking them and that's what happened to me. ", "I wasn't the help that he needed. In 2016, according to Entertainment Tonight, DeBarge, who ran into legal trouble for his drug use in 2011 and 2014, appeared on the show "Growing Up Hip-Hop "and claimed that he and Jackson had a secret daughter together. A 2018 Daily Beast article noted that James had experienced addiction and depression at the time of his marriage to Jackson and that her family had vehemently opposed the union. It doesn't matter how much work you do, it's still painful.". Once she became famous in her own right, it was only a matter of time before she would be on the receiving end of some wild rumors. His comments lent support to reports that have circulated for years claiming Janet has a "secret" daughter. He said, Okay, Ill be right back. And Im sitting in ahotel room in Grand Rapids, Michigan, by myself, just 18. ", "I didn't care, because what was more important than my work was James. She was still heavily controlled (get it?) Where was the baby?. In the documentary, Jackson rationalized that she thought the rumors came from a focus on her weight. When asked about the rumors that the newlyweds were battling, El replied, "All I've seen is that it's all peaches 'n' cream. "Back in the day they were saying that I had a child and I kept it secret," she said. I can not wait for her documentary I'm very happy that she is telling her story in her own words. I dont know, maybe its this person in me that wants to help people. "I remember going to Michigan, to Grand Rapids and his uncle, he was a pastor and he married us. But no, I've never had a child. Her two previous marriages were a year-long union with soul singer James DeBarge in the mid . ", What Janet Jackson's Short Marriage To James DeBarge Was Like. During the documentary she also laughed off other rumours, including that her brother Randys daughter, Stevanna, was actually her daughter. Janet Jackson Just Responded to Rumors She Had a Secret Baby That She Shoppers Say This $10 Softening Lip Scrub With Over 18,000 Reviews Transformed Their Chapped Lips Overnight, Your Weekly Love Horoscope Says Youre Ready to Own Your Emotional Truth & Be Vulnerable, How Black Creators Can Expand Their Network with LinkedIn. #inline-recirc-item--id-9de0687a-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d ~ .item:nth-child(5) { The Grammy-winning Rhythm Nation artist married DeBarge in 1984, when she was just 18. "When we got married and we came back to the hotel, he said, 'I'll be right back.' According to a later report from Radar Online. Janet Jackson shuts down rumours that she secretly had a child with ex-husband James DeBarge in the '80s, detailed in her upcoming documentary "Janet".