As Janet Jackson’s life takes center stage in a new documentary, learn about the men who were married to the iconic superstar.
Janet Jackson, 55, opens up like never before in his new Lifetime and A&E documentary. Janet, which premieres Friday, January 28, features the iconic singer, actress, and dancer speaking candidly about her professional and personal life. One of Janet’s topics is her marriages. She was married three times and all three relationships did not last long. As the world learns more about Janet Jackson, here’s what to know about the three men who called the multi-talented superstar their brides.
James De Barge
Janet’s first marriage was to James De Barge, 58 years old. James, an R&B/soul singer who was part of the family singing group DeBarge, married Janet in 1984, when he was 21 and she was just 18. The couple dated for two years before getting married. At the time, Janet had just released her second solo album dream street, which followed her self-titled debut in 1982. The marriage was seen as an act of rebellion by teenage Janet against her controlling father, the late Joe Jackson. The relationship was called off in 1985 due to his alleged drug addiction.
Rumors have persisted over the years that the couple had a secret child together, which James discussed on the show Growing up in hip hop in 2016. “I’m sick of the secrecy,” he told his daughter in a clip from the show. “I’m sick of the truth not being revealed and people being cowards when it comes to her. And I thought it was wise for me to speak out now because it needs to be addressed. Janet also spoke about these rumors in the Janet documentary. “At the time they said I had a child and I kept it a secret. I could never take a child away from James,” she said, according to People. “How could I keep a child away from its father? I could never do that, it’s not right.
Rene Elizondo
Janet’s second marriage was to a Mexican dancer and songwriter Rene Elizondo, 59 years old. They met while René, also a music video director, was working on a film. Janet and Rene got engaged on a beach and married on March 31, 1991, six years after her split from James. “I just needed to be free to be with someone who was on drugs and all that,” she said in the doc, per People. “I needed an elevator. Rene was funny, just always had fun together. He was very, very charming.
Janet and Rene’s marriage was kept a secret from the public until the couple sadly separated in 2000. Rene reportedly sued Janet for between $10 million and $25 million after the divorce, but the exes eventually reached a settlement. She then reflected on her unhappy second marriage in the documentary. “We were on the beach, it was raining like crazy, and that’s when he asked me to marry him,” she recalled of René’s marriage proposal. “James never proposed to me. He never gave me a ring or anything like that, so that was different. I wanted this to be it. But I thought that every time.
Wissam Al Mana
Wissam Al Mana, 47, is the third person to marry Janet. The Qatari billionaire CEO dated the ‘Rhythm Nation’ singer for several years, before getting married in 2012. Janet kept that relationship fairly private and didn’t even publicly reveal the marriage until 2013. She said in a interview: “The rumors about an extravagant wedding are simply untrue. Last year, we got married in a quiet, private, and beautiful ceremony. Fans were shocked again when they realized Janet and Wissam had welcomed their son Eissa together in January 2017. But just three months later, the couple called it quits and Janet broke the news herself in a rare video she posted on Instagram.
“I just want to keep it real for you guys for a second – yes, I’ve separated from my husband,” Janet said in the clip. She went on to explain how they were working out the details of their divorce in court and added, “The rest is in God’s hands. »
Janet and Wissam still haven’t finalized their divorce. The exes continue to co-parent their son, who just turned 5. “You are growing up so fast. Such a handsome smart boy,” Janet wrote on Instagram in her birthday tribute to Eissa. “I wish you a life full of magical moments. You are Mom’s Luv.