The Child Janet Jackson Was Forced To Give Away | James DeBarge EXPOSES FULL Story | HO

For decades, the world has been captivated by the music and mystique of Janet Jackson, a member of the legendary Jackson family and a superstar in her own right. But beneath the glitz and glamour, a persistent rumor has haunted Janet’s legacy: the story of a secret child she allegedly had with her first husband, James DeBarge, during the 1980s.

Despite Janet’s repeated denials, whispers of a hidden daughter, family cover-ups, and DNA tests have refused to fade away. Now, as more voices come forward—including members of the DeBarge family and Janet’s own documentary statements—the question remains: Was Janet Jackson forced to give up a child, and if so, why?

The Origins of the Secret Baby Rumor

The story begins in the mid-1980s, when Janet Jackson, then a rising star, married James DeBarge, a member of the famous DeBarge musical family. Their marriage, which took place when Janet was just 18, was brief and troubled. According to many, Janet saw the marriage as an escape from her controlling father, Joe Jackson. However, the union was plagued by James’s substance abuse issues, and Janet found herself playing the role of caretaker rather than wife. The marriage was annulled within a year.

But as the marriage ended, rumors began to swirl. Friends, fans, and even some family members claimed that Janet had been pregnant during her marriage to James and was either forced to give the baby away or had suffered a miscarriage. Some even alleged that the baby was secretly raised by another member of the Jackson family.

James DeBarge’s Persistent Claims

No one has been more vocal about the existence of a secret child than James DeBarge himself. Over the years, James has insisted that he and Janet had a child together, and that the child was hidden from him and the world. In 2012, James even wrote a letter to Michael Jackson’s former doctor, Conrad Murray, from prison, claiming that a Jackson-DeBarge heir was out there.

James’s conviction has only grown stronger with time. In a recent conversation, James recounted, “The proof is in the pudding. Let’s go get a DNA test.” He referenced a test showing a 96.7% probability of relatedness with a woman who claimed to be his granddaughter. “That’s my granddaughter. She’s nothing else. She’s my granddaughter,” he said, further fueling speculation.

Family Members Add Fuel to the Fire

James is not alone in his beliefs. His daughter, Christina DeBarge, has openly stated that she believes she has a secret sister. “I believe I do have a sister out there,” Christina confessed, adding that she would love to meet her. Christina also suggested that Janet’s powerful family may have played a significant role in keeping the alleged child a secret, especially to protect Janet’s burgeoning career.

James’s sister, Bunny DeBarge, also claims to have witnessed Janet’s pregnancy firsthand. According to Bunny, Janet was pulled from the spotlight for a time and when she returned, her baby bump was gone, but no baby was ever seen. Daryl DeBarge, James’s brother, has echoed these claims in radio interviews, and even James’s mother participated in a DNA test with a woman named Tiffany White, who claimed to be the secret daughter. Although the test ultimately disproved Tiffany’s claims, the DeBarge family’s belief in the existence of the child has not wavered.

Alleged Cover-Ups and Sightings

Fans and insiders have added to the intrigue, recalling moments where Janet appeared to be pregnant. Some remember seeing photos of Janet with James where she looked five to six months along, while others recall an incident at the American Music Awards where Janet’s brother Tito allegedly tried to shield her stomach from the cameras. There are also claims from hospital staff and family friends who say they saw Janet pregnant, though no baby was ever officially announced.

Rumors also circulated that Janet’s niece Brandy, or her brother Jackie’s daughter, was actually her secret child. These stories only gained traction due to the physical resemblance between Janet and her relatives’ children.

Janet’s Response: Denial and Explanation

Janet herself has consistently denied the existence of a secret child. In her documentary, she addressed the rumors head-on, stating, “They were saying that I had a child and I kept it secret. How could I keep a child from their father? I could never do that. That’s not right.” Janet explained that speculation first began when she appeared on the TV show Fame in 1984. She attributed her weight gain to starting oral contraceptives, which were known to cause increased appetite and fluid retention at the time. “A lot of the kids thought I was pregnant because I had gained weight after I started taking birth control pills,” she said.

Janet also discussed how the rumors spiraled into various stories, including claims that she gave a secret baby to her sister Rebbie or that her brother Jackie’s adopted daughter was actually hers. “First they were saying my niece Brandy was my daughter and then I gave it to Jackie to raise, and then because Ry’s daughter looks so much like me, they started saying it was her,” Janet recounted.

Throughout her documentary, Janet maintained that her brief marriage to James was defined more by his addiction struggles than any hidden pregnancy. She described their wedding night: “When we got married and came back to the hotel, he said, ‘Okay, I’ll be right back.’ I’m sitting in the hotel room in Grand Rapids, Michigan, by myself, just 18, and for three hours he never came back. That’s not a life for anyone.”

Skeptics and Supporters

Despite Janet’s statements, skeptics point to her careful wording and emotional responses in interviews as evidence that she may be hiding something. Some fans noted that Janet became visibly emotional when discussing James, unlike when referencing other exes. Others argue that the DeBarge family’s persistent claims, coupled with alleged sightings and family whispers, make the story too coincidental to ignore.

Christina DeBarge’s belief in a secret sibling, Bunny’s recollections, and Daryl’s interviews all suggest that the DeBarge family is convinced that a child existed. Even after DNA tests ruled out some claimants, James DeBarge has refused to give up his search, stating that he knows “there was a baby.”

The Power of the Jackson Family

Many believe that if Janet did have a child, the Jackson family’s influence would have made it possible to orchestrate a cover-up, especially to protect Janet’s image during her meteoric rise to stardom. Christina DeBarge hinted at this, saying, “If she was pregnant, the only thing I can think of was that they felt she still had a very long career ahead of her and they didn’t want anything to hinder that.”

The Truth Remains Elusive

To this day, the question of whether Janet Jackson was forced to give away a child remains unanswered. Was there a secret baby? Was Janet pressured by her family or the industry to keep it hidden? Or is this all the product of rumor, coincidence, and family myth? While Janet’s denials are clear, the DeBarge family’s unwavering belief and the countless stories from those who claim to have witnessed something continue to keep the rumor alive.

As with many celebrity mysteries, the truth may never fully come to light. But one thing is certain: the story of Janet Jackson’s alleged secret child continues to fascinate and divide fans around the world.