Hollywood’s Most Controversial Secret: Did Janet Jackson Really Have a Hidden Child With James DeBarge?

For nearly four decades, the rumor mill has churned with whispers of a secret that could shake the foundations of pop culture: Did Janet Jackson, at the height of her rising fame, secretly give birth to a child with her first husband, James DeBarge, and was she forced to give that child away? Despite repeated denials, this story refuses to die—and recent comments from James DeBarge and his family have reignited the public’s fascination with what might be the Jackson family’s most closely guarded secret.

The Start of the Rumor: A Teenage Marriage, a Controlling Father, and a Vanishing Bump

In 1984, Janet Jackson was just 18 years old when she eloped with James DeBarge, a member of the famous DeBarge musical family. According to those close to her, Janet saw marriage as her only escape from her father, Joe Jackson, whose reputation for being a strict and sometimes abusive manager was well-known. But Janet’s marriage to James was anything but a fairytale. James struggled with substance abuse, and Janet, barely an adult herself, found herself caught in a cycle of caretaking and chaos.

It was during this short-lived marriage that rumors began to swirl. Friends, fans, and even family members claimed to have seen Janet looking visibly pregnant. Some say she appeared on stage at the American Music Awards with a noticeable baby bump, and stories circulated that her brother Tito tried to shield her belly from the cameras. Others recalled seeing Janet at a hospital while pregnant, and her own aunt allegedly confirmed seeing her in that state.

Yet, no official announcement was ever made. Soon after, Janet and James’ marriage was annulled, and Janet returned to the public eye—without a baby.

The DeBarge Family Speaks Out

If anyone is convinced that a child existed, it’s the DeBarge family. James DeBarge himself has spoken about the possibility of a secret child for years. In 2012, he even wrote a letter from prison to Michael Jackson’s former doctor, Conrad Murray, referencing the existence of a child with Janet. His daughter, Kristinia DeBarge, has said publicly that she believes she has a secret sister out there, and James’ sister, Bunny DeBarge, claims she saw Janet pregnant and then suddenly not pregnant, with no baby ever seen.

The family’s conviction only grew when a woman named Tiffany White stepped forward, claiming to be Janet and James’ secret daughter. A DNA test with James’ mother showed a 96.7% probability of relatedness, fueling the fire. However, a later test proved that James was not Tiffany’s biological father. Still, James and his family have not given up hope. “He won’t let it go,” Kristinia said, adding that her father still believes the child exists and was hidden from him.

Janet’s Side: Denials and Deflections

Janet Jackson has always denied the rumor. In her 2022 documentary, she addressed the speculation head-on, saying, “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.” She explained that the rumors began when she gained weight after starting birth control pills while filming the TV show “Fame.” The weight gain, she said, was misinterpreted as a pregnancy by fans and cast members.

Janet also addressed the wild stories that followed, including claims that she gave the baby to her sister Rebbie or that her niece Brandi was actually her daughter. Co-star Debbie Allen supported Janet, saying Janet was on set every day and there was never any sign of a baby.

Yet, some observers remain unconvinced. They point to Janet’s emotional response when talking about James, noting that she never explicitly said, “I did not have a baby,” but rather focused on how she could never hide a child from their father. The ambiguity, they argue, only adds to the mystery.

The Power of the Jackson Name

Why would such a secret be kept? Kristinia DeBarge and others suggest that the Jackson family’s immense influence and desire to protect Janet’s burgeoning career could have led to a cover-up. If Janet did have a child, they argue, the family might have decided it was best for her image and future to keep it hidden.

Bunny DeBarge claims that Janet was pulled out of the spotlight during the alleged pregnancy, only to return with no sign of a child. James’ brother, Daryl DeBarge, and even James’ mother have all said they believe the child exists. The consistency of the DeBarge family’s claims over the years has kept the rumor alive.

The Truth Remains a Mystery

To this day, there is no concrete evidence that Janet Jackson ever had a secret child with James DeBarge. DNA tests have failed to prove the existence of such a child, and Janet herself continues to deny the story. Still, the persistence of the DeBarge family, the strange coincidences, and the enduring public fascination mean that this rumor is unlikely to fade away any time soon.

Was Janet Jackson forced to give up a child to protect her career, or is this simply another example of how rumors can take on a life of their own in the world of celebrity? For now, only Janet—and perhaps a few others—know the real truth. Until then, the story of Janet Jackson’s alleged secret child remains one of Hollywood’s most tantalizing unsolved mysteries.