In a recent interview, iconic singer Janet Jackson opened up about her short-lived and troubled marriage to fellow singer James DeBarge, providing a rare glimpse into a tumultuous period of her early life.
As reported by the BBC, Jackson, now a global superstar, was just a teenager when she released her first two albums, “Janet Jackson” and “Dream Street.” Despite featuring a surprising duet with Cliff Richard, both albums failed to make a significant impact. Then, at the age of 18, Janet made headlines by eloping with doe-eyed soul singer James DeBarge.
Their marriage, which lasted only eight months, was annulled but not before it posed a serious threat to Janet’s burgeoning career and reputation. At the time, DeBarge was struggling with drug addiction, often disappearing for hours, including on their wedding night. Janet recalled the harrowing experience of scouring the streets for him at all hours, feeling a sense of duty to care for her troubled husband.
“I was doing the TV show Fame at the time and I’d be late for work and hold up shooting,” Janet said, wincing at the memory. “I wasn’t being irresponsible. I just felt that [James] needed me more than the show.”
Her dedication to DeBarge caused friction on the set of “Fame,” with Janet admitting she was spoken to by producers several times due to her tardiness. “I’m not sure they were that fond of me,” she reflected.
Eventually, Janet made the difficult decision to leave the show and focus on her music career once more. This pivotal moment led her to give music “one more chance,” a choice that ultimately paved the way for her phenomenal success in the years to come.
Janet Jackson’s candid recollections highlight the challenges she faced early in her career and underscore her resilience in overcoming personal and professional obstacles.
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