Michael Jackson's Sister Finally Addresses Rumors Of A Secret Baby

Michael Jackson's sister is finally addressing a rumor that has floating around the family for years, that they are hiding a secret baby!

Janet Jackson opened up about the ongoing questions during her documentary airing this week and included reactions to the long-standing story about secretly mothering a child during the height of her fame.

The 'Rhythm Nation' singer described her short-lived marriage to singer James DeBarge. At the time, the famous musician's drug use plagued the relationship. But, it was the rumor of a baby between the couple that has been simmering in the tabloid world for many years. According to Janet, she was gaining weight while working on 'Fame,' so co-stars started to believe the rumors.

To be clear, Jackson chalks the weight gain up to taking birth control at the time.

"First they were saying my niece Brandi was my daughter, and that I gave it to Jackie [Jackson] to raise. And then, because Randy [Jackson]’s daughter looks so much like me, then they started saying it was Stevanna," she recalled. 

A frustrated Janet continued, "I don’t like the weight of that negativity around me. I could never keep a child away from James. How could I keep a child away from their father? I could never do that, that’s not right."

Interestingly, the documentary crew interviewed several other individuals to confirm Janet's accounts of the story. 'Fame' co-star Debbie Allen defended Jackson, claiming she was "there with us all day, every day," and "nobody saw a baby."

Michael Jackson's sister, Rebbie, who was implicated in possibly being involved in the cover-up, said, "I don’t know where that ridiculous idea came from, it’s funny the rumors. That’s a whole other story. I mean, there’s not a time when I haven’t stepped into the food market -- I see somebody from my family on a magazine."

Of course, the same rumors plagued Janet's famous brother, Michael, with many believing the same child was actually from a relationship he was having. After Michael passed away, several persons were identified as possible offspring of the King Of Pop, but never confirmed.

Another widely reported rumor about the Jackson family is the abusive treatment by their father, Joe Jackson. Janet addressed the situation in the documentary, explaining it wasn't all terrible, and the children were shown love from their parents.

"My parents disciplined all of us and that’s how, we as a people, raised our kids. But you turn around and you give them love to show them ‘I love you. I’m here for you,'" she said.

Adding, "Discipline without love is tyranny. And tyrants they were not. They just loved us and wanted us to be the best that we could be. Obviously, it worked."

Tito Jacksonrecalled Janet as one of the people who were able to step up to their controlling father. "Janet is one of the few people in the family that would stand up to my pop, she’s tough. She’s not going to let anyone say anything to her. My father admired her for being that way, I think.”

The 'Janet Jackson' documentary airs on January 28, 2022, on A&E.