Nearly four decades after his secret marriage to Janet Jackson, R&B singer James DeBarge is stirring controversy once again by hinting that the couple had a child together — one he says was kept hidden from him.
In a new interview with Wild Moguls TV, DeBarge reflected on his whirlwind romance with Jackson, calling it “the right love at the wrong time.” He revealed that the pair eloped in 1984 despite strong objections from Janet’s father, Joe Jackson.
“We fell in love and got married. Snuck off and got married,” DeBarge said, confirming the ceremony took place in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The marriage ended in annulment just a year later.
Janet’s family and the shadow of control
DeBarge claims their relationship was under constant pressure from Janet’s family and her management. He said the two struggled to maintain contact due to hectic touring schedules and interference from others.
“She’d been on the road, I’d been on the road. We didn’t have time to work things out,” he said. He added that Joe Jackson disapproved of the relationship but never issued direct threats.
DeBarge first connected with Janet over the phone when she was just 13 and he was 18. They didn’t meet in person until she turned 18, he said. By then, their emotional connection had already formed.
Drug addiction and a vanishing husband
Their brief marriage was complicated by DeBarge’s admitted drug use. Jackson has previously shared in interviews that he often disappeared, even on their wedding night. One fan posted on social media that Janet once searched the streets at night looking for him.
Despite their tumultuous history, it’s the long-standing rumor of a secret child that continues to capture public fascination.
DeBarge teases bombshell revelation in new film
For years, DeBarge has maintained that he and Jackson had a daughter who was later given up for adoption. Jackson has repeatedly denied the claim, stating in her 2022 documentary that she could never keep a child away from their father.
“How could I keep a child from their father? I could never do that, that’s not right,” she said in the documentary.
Now, DeBarge says he’s ready to break his silence once and for all.
“I’m doing a movie right now,” he said in the interview. “I’m going to disclose a lot of things, so that I can end it all once.”
Fans on social media erupted with speculation and emotion. Some showed support, while others dismissed it as attention-seeking. One user wrote that Janet still becomes emotional when discussing the relationship. Another commented that he didn’t fumble Janet — he lost her.
And with DeBarge’s promised documentary in the works, the decades-old mystery may finally be heading toward a revelation that could rewrite pop culture history.
Jaja has a degree in journalism and took classes in international law and business communication. Her career spans roles at prominent international media outlets, including International Business Times, Celebeat and Delightful Philippines. As a news editor, Jaja covered a wide range of beats, including legal, business, economy, cryptocurrency, personal finance, gaming, technology, and entertainment.