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Janet Jackson’s Secret Daughter: Former Husband James DeBarge Opens Up About Their Love Child

By Lawrence Arboleda
Published on: 03:54 PST, Nov 13, 2016

Does Janet Jackson have a secret daughter?

Jackson’s ex-husband James DeBarge claimed in the most recent clip of WE TV Series’s Growing Hip Hop that he and Janet Jackson had a secret daughter together, as reported by International Business Times. The 53-year-old DeBarge eloped with the “Rhythm Nation” singer back in 1984 and then married her that same year. The former couple split nearly a year after their marriage. According to reports, the marriage was declared null and void.

In the clip, DeBarge is seen being confronted by his 26-year-old daughter Kristinia, who asked him about an article hinting that he had a secret daughter with Janet Jackson. That was when James finally came clean.

“I’m tired of the secrecy. I’m tired of the truth not coming forward, and people being a coward when it comes to it. And I thought it was wise for me to speak out now because it needs to be addressed,” DeBarge said.

“To be honest with you, I didn’t know,” he continued. “I was under the impression that there was no baby, and I wanted to believe it’s not true. But it is.”

The timing of DeBarge’s baby bombshell couldn’t be more awkward as Janet Jackson and her husband, Qatari business magnate Wissam Al Mana, are expecting their first baby together. It’s not clear how far along her pregnancy is.

In April this year, the iconic pop singer announced that she was canceling her Unbreakable tour so that she and her husband can start “planning a family.” She had been on the road for eight months before she decided to cancel the tour.

“My husband and I are planning a family so I’m going to have to delay the tour. Please, if you can, try and understand it’s important that I do this now, I have to rest up, doctor’s orders, but I have not forgotten about you, I will continue the tour as soon as I possibly can,”Jackson said at the time.

Jackson didn’t say outright that she was pregnant, at least not until she confirmed the pregnancy rumors via People in early October.

The magazine publication showed a photo of Jackson with her hand on her stomach, which revealed a baby bump.

“We thank God for our blessing,” she said.

Her brother Tito also revealed the pregnancy in June.

“Janet is very well pregnant,” he said during an interview on Sirius FM radio. “She’s doing very well, taking it easy. As you know, she’s off tour, so she’s protecting her health.”

While Janet Jackson had tried her best to keep her pregnancy a secret, she had said many times in the past that she wishes to have her own children someday.

“I’d love to have a family. But really, it’s in God’s hands. So, if it’s meant to be, I’ll have one. I hope it does,” a 44-year-old Janet said.

A year later, she told CNN that she hopes to “be a good mother.”

“Everyone tells me, for the longest time they’ve told me: ‘Oh, you’d make a great mother.’

“And I’m like, ‘Why?’

“People would tell me: ‘You’re very nurturing. You’re very mothering and you take care of people all the time.’

“And yada, yada, yada. And so, I don’t know.”

Wishing to keep her personal life private, Jackson had managed to keep her marriage to Al Mana a secret until after a year.

Entertainment Tonight recently spoke to Janet Jackson’s close friend, Tyler Perry, who said that he was “excited” for her pregnancy.

“She’s just always been so extremely private and is laying low, and I just wish her all the best,” he said. “I’m excited for her, because I know what that means.”

“I think that is going to give her a sense of fulfillment that she’s never had before,” he continued.

Numerous media outlets asked Janet Jackson’s reps for comment in regards to James DeBarge’s claim that the singer has a secret daughter with him. They, so far, have not responded.

[Featured Image by Chris Pizzello/AP Images]

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