Janet Jackson and James DeBarge: A Marriage, Rumors, and Long-Standing Secrets.

The marriage between Janet Jackson and James DeBarge was a whirlwind romance, marked by love, secrecy, and ultimately, years of speculation.

The two, childhood friends who both hailed from musically gifted families, eloped in 1984 when Jackson was just 18. However, their marriage was short-lived and annulled a year later, largely due to DeBarge’s struggle with heavy drug use.

Jackson and DeBarge kept their marriage under wraps, with Jackson even hiding the news from her family. Reflecting on her decision, Jackson admitted in the 2022 *Janet Jackson* documentary that she was motivated by a desire for independence.

“I wanted to be able to stand on my own two feet,” she said, explaining why she rushed into the marriage.

However, the union was tumultuous, with DeBarge’s drug addiction straining their relationship from the start. Within a year, the marriage was annulled, but the secrecy surrounding their relationship would fuel decades of rumors.

One of the most persistent rumors that emerged from their brief marriage was that the couple had a secret daughter. In 2016, these whispers resurfaced when James DeBarge made a shocking confession during an appearance on *Growing Up Hip-Hop*.

In a viral clip, DeBarge told his daughter, Kristinia, “I’m tired of the secrecy. I’m tired of the truth not coming forward.” He went on to claim that he and Jackson shared a secret daughter, a revelation that reignited public interest and led to widespread speculation.

In 2017, a woman named Tiffany White came forward, claiming to be the long-lost daughter of Jackson and DeBarge.

White, who had been raised by foster parents, told *Radar Online*, “I’ve been kept a secret for a very long time. I want people to know the truth.” White even alleged that a DNA test had matched her with DeBarge’s mother, Etterlene DeBarge, adding fuel to the fire.

Despite the growing rumors, Janet Jackson has consistently denied having a secret child with DeBarge. In the 2022 documentary, she addressed the speculation head-on, saying, “Back in the day, they were saying I had a child and I kept it a secret.

I could never keep a child away from James. How could I keep a child from their father?” She firmly rejected the idea that any of her family members had raised a secret child on her behalf.

Jackson’s statement put to rest claims that her siblings, particularly her sister Rebbie or brother Jackie, had raised the child. But despite her denials, rumors persisted, with members of the DeBarge family continuing to weigh in on the issue.

James DeBarge’s family has had mixed reactions to the rumors. Etterlene DeBarge, James’s mother, remains convinced that Tiffany White is her granddaughter. In contrast, James’s sister, Bunny DeBarge, has expressed doubt.

In a 2017 interview with *Inside Edition*, Bunny apologized for the rumors and said, “I’m like a mom. Maybe she came to you, but she’s not James and Janet’s daughter. Come on now.”

Even James’s daughter Kristinia DeBarge has weighed in on the situation, expressing her belief that she may have a sister out there. In another *Inside Edition* interview, Kristinia speculated that Jackson and her family might have hidden the child to protect Janet’s rising career.

While the marriage between Janet Jackson and James DeBarge ended decades ago, the rumors surrounding their relationship—and the possibility of a secret daughter—continue to capture public interest.

Despite Jackson’s clear denials and the mixed reactions from the DeBarge family, the story remains a subject of fascination for fans and media alike. Whether or not the truth will ever be fully uncovered, the legacy of their brief union endures, shadowed by mystery and speculation.