Janet Jackson has some hard-earned wisdom to impart on niece Paris Jackson. The sole daughter of late legend Michael Jackson has hopes of becoming an actress, but at least one member of the family does not approve.
Image via WENN
Janet Jackson believes Paris Jackson and brother Michael’s two sons deserve to have a childhood. Though the late singer’s daughter has begun to break into acting already, her aunt is advising she spend a few more years just being a regular kid — at least as regular as possible.
“We’ve spoken about the fact that you’re only a child once,” Janet Jackson said during an interview for the latest issue of Prevention magazine. “I think there’s a time for everything, and now is not the time [to act in films]. I told her I thought she should enjoy being a kid, possibly go to college or not, but wait till she turns 18.”
The singer, who acted during her childhood on television shows such as Good Times, Different Strokes and Fame, went on to say of 14-year-old Paris Jackson, “She’s a very tough, smart girl. But it’s a cutthroat industry. I wouldn’t want my child to do it.”
Along with sharing her concerns for late brother Michael Jackson’s children, Janet chatted about her recent weight loss success. “Health was always a concern,” the 46-year-old explained. “When I gained weight in 2005, my nutritionist was very worried. I was close to having diabetes. Even when I lost it [and] then gained quite a bit back, there was always the thought of heart disease.”
Of recognizing and coping with her self esteem issues she shared, “Knowing I have these problems with body image, I ask my friends and family to tell me when I’ve lost too much. Because I will continue to pick on myself like all other woman do, and say, ‘You need to [lose] more here, more there.’”
“I think people really connect with the idea of someone who’s gained and lost weight in a very public way, and also someone who’s an emotional eater.”
Do you agree with the advice Janet Jackson is giving to niece Paris Jackson?
Administrator’s Note: I certainly do! Michael would not want her in the spotlight like this until she was older and trained properly for it. I pray that she listens to auntie.
The Jackson brothers give a few clues about the highlights of their upcoming tour. They also indicate that Michael planned to tour with them following the “This Is It” concerts in London.
I want to wish a very blessed and happy birthday to Mrs. Jackson, Jackie, Janet, Rebbie and LaToya!I dedicate this thread to you with much love!
Katherine Esther Scruse Jackson
Born: May 4, 1930
Biography –
Katherine was born Kattie B. Screws in Barbour County, Alabama to Martha (née Upshaw; December 14, 1907 – April 25, 1990) and Prince Albert Screws (October 16, 1907 – January 21, 1997). When Katherine was four, her father changed his surname to “Scruse”, and renamed his daughter to Katherine Esther. The younger of two daughters, Katherine contracted polio at two but survived the disease. Effects of the disease left her with a noticeable permanent limp. At four, Katherine’s family moved to Gary, Indiana, a suburb outside Chicago. As a child, Katherine aspired to become a country singer but was dismayed to find that there were no notable black country stars. Katherine’s parents divorced when Katherine was still a youngster. In high school, Katherine joined the local high school band. In 1947, Katherine met Joseph Jackson. After a year-long courtship that started after Jackson annulled an early marriage, they married in November 1949. In January 1950, they purchased a two-bedroom house in Gary. During the couple’s early years, they sang together with Joe playing guitar. After Joe’s dreams of a boxing career dashed, he settled for work at a local steel mill while Katherine gave birth to what became a total of ten children. (Marlon’s twin brother, Brandon, died shortly after birth).
Ten children were born to Katherine and Joe Jackson:
Jackie was born Sigmund Esco on May 4, 1951 in Gary, Indiana exactly on Katherine’s 21st birthday. Because he is the oldest son, he was most aware of the start and success of the Jackson Five. His childhood was taken away, but Jackie enjoyed this way of life also. Jackie had fun on the contests they joined. Sports was another hobby of Jackie. When he was 19 he gave up a promising American Football carreer for music. Besides, the incredible huge success of the Jackson 5 and The Jacksons. Even though Jackie plays instruments like guitar and piano, he only sings on songs by The Jackson Five and The Jacksons. He is the lead singer on songs like “Wondering Who” and “Wait”. Jackie also made some solo albums. In 1973 Motown released his solo debut called simply Jackie Jackson. This album was a rare piece of recording by Jackie, apart from the Jackson 5. It took Jackie 16 years to make another album. In 1989 Be The One was released. This album contains the singles “Stay”, “Be The One” and “Cruzin”. In 1989, The Jackson brothers made a comeback with their album 2300 Jackson Street. Jackie listens to music of other artists very much. He adores old soul but also modern music. Jackie is concerned about the fact everybody can be a star. The fact you need to be good looking to star in a video. Nobody’s making real music anymore. Jackie married Enid Spann in 1974. They divorced in 1987 and Enid died several years ago. They have a son Siggy and a daughter Brandi. Brandi did some modeling. A few years ago, Jackie founded Futurist Entertainment, and Jesco Records is a division of that company. He’s trying to launch new stars, as well as his son Siggy aka Dealz who makes his hip-hop and rap music.
Jackie Jackson
(Motown Records, 1973)1. Love Don’t Want To Leave
2. It’s So Easy
3. Thanks To You
4. You’re The Only One
5. Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind
This Time)
6. Do I Owe
7. Is It Him Or Is It Me
8. In My Dreams
9. One And The Same
10. Bad Girl
Be The One
(Polygram Records, 1989)1. Stay
2. Be The One
3. Fun
4. Who’s Loving You Now
5. Cruzin’
6. Fine Fine Lady
7. Stuck On You
8. Don’t Rush It
9. Broken Heart
10. Stay (12″ Remix)
Songs
We Know What’s Going On (2011)
(Background )Vocals
Love Song, My Special Love, La Toya Jackson (1981)
Don’t Stand Another Chance, Dreamstreet, Janet Jackson (1984)
We Are The World, USA for Africa (1985)
White Heat, True Blue Madonna (1986)
Time Out For The Burglar Burglar, The Jacksons
Freedom, Freedom Tramaine Hawkins (1987)
This Is It, This Is It Michael Jackson (2009)
All I Wanna Do, Dealz & Jackie Jackson
That’s How I Feel, Dealz feat. Jackie Jackson and Jermaine Jackson (2011)
Collaborations
My Special Love, My Special Love La Toya Jackson: co-writer with Tito, Marlon and Randy Jackson, 1981
Come Alive It’s Saturday Night, Centipede Rebbie Jackson: co-writer with Tito, Marlon and Randy Jackson
Playin’ With Fire, Pulse Greg Phillinganes: producer
Playin’ With Fire Touch and Go (Soundtrack): producer
Time Out For The Burglar, Burglar (Soundtrack) The Jacksons: co-writer with Randy Jackson
The Death March, Running Man (Soundtrack): co-writer and performer (1987)
Paula’s Theme, Running Man (Soundtrack): co-writer and performer
Jackie through the years………..
My Favorite Jackie Jackson Son: “Wait”
Janet Damita Jo Jackson
Born: May 16, 1966
Biography
Janet Damita Jo Jackson is the youngest member of the Jackson family of musicians. Initially performing on stage with her family at the age of seven, Janet began her career as an actress with the variety television series The Jacksons. She went on to star in other television shows including Good Times, A New Kind of Family, Diff’rent Strokes, and Fame. After launching her recording career in 1982, Janet saw limited success with the release of her self-titled debut album and its successor Dream Street. However, with the collaboration of record producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Janet found record-breaking success, producing five consecutive number one studio albums; beginning with the release of Control (1986) followed by Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation 1814 (1989), janet. (1993), The Velvet Rope (1997), and All For You (2001). Although Janet experienced commercial decline with subsequent albums Damita Jo (2004) and 20 Y.O. (2006), her tenth studio album Discipline (2008) became her sixth album to debut at number one on the Billboard 200. Janet’s albums Control, Rhythm Nation 1814, and janet. made her the only recording artist ever to score five or more top ten singles from three consecutive albums. Rhythm Nation 1814 also enabled Janet to become the first recording artist to ever achieve seven top five hit singles from a single album. Rolling Stone magazine named Rhythm Nation 1814 and The Velvet Rope as two of The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time; Control and janet. were listed by the National Association of Recording Merchandisers and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as two of the Definitive 200 Albums of All Time.
Though Janet is listed by the Recording Industry Association of America as the eleventh top-selling female artist in the United States with 26 million certified albums, Billboard named her one of the top-ten selling artists in the history of contemporary music. She is also ranked as the ninth most successful act in the history of rock and roll and the second most successful female artist in pop music history, having sold over 100 million albums worldwide. Tyler Perry’s feature film Why Did I Get Married? (2007) features Janet as an actress again, for which Janet won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture. The movie became her third consecutive film to open at number one at the box office, following Poetic Justice (1993) and Nutty Professor II: The Klumps (2000).
In 2009 Janet performed in the the sequel of Why Did I Get Married in Why Did I Get Married Too? that was released in 2010. Janet also featured in another Tyler Perry movie titled For Colored Girls that opened in theatres across the United States and Canada in november 2010. On February 4th, 2011 Janet kicked of her largest tour ever in Manila, Filipines. The Number Ones, Up Close & Personal tour wil see Janet get back to the public on stage performing her #1 songs following the release of the Number Ones (Icon) album in 2010.
Discography
Janet Jackson
(A&M Records, 1986)1. Say You Do
2. You’ll Never Find (A Love Like Mine)
3. Young Love
4. Love And My Best Friend
5. Don’t Mess Up This Good Thing
6. Forever Yours
7. The Magic Is Working
8. Come Give Your Love To Me
Dream Street (A&M Records, 1984)1. Don’t Stand Another Chance
2. Two To The Power Of Love (Duet With Cliff Richard)
3. Pretty Boy
4. Dream Street
5. Communication
6. Fast Girls
7. Hold Back The Tears
8. All My Love To You
9. If It Takes All Night
Control
(A&M Records, 1986)1. Control
2. Nasty
3. What Have You Done For Me Lately
4. You Can Be Mine
5. The Pleasure Principle
6. When I Think Of You
7. He Doesn’t Know I’m Alive
8. Let’s Wait Awhile
9. Funny How Time Flies (When You’re Having Fun)
Control The Remixes
(A&M Records, 1987)Different tracklists for different releases in several countries.
Rhythm Nation 1814
(A&M Records, 1989)1. Interlude: Pledge
2. Rhythm Nation
3. Interlude: T.V.
4. State of the World
5. Interlude: Race
6. The Knowledge
7. Interlude: Let’s Dance
8. Miss You Much
9. Interlude: Come Back
10. Love Will Never Do (Without You)
11. Livin’ In A World (They Didn’t Make)
12. Alright
13. Interlude: Hey Baby
14. Escapade
15. Interlude: No Acid
16. Black Cat
17. Lonely
18. Come Back To Me
19. Someday Is Tonight
20. Interlude: Livin’
Janet.
(Virgin Records, 1993)1. Interlude: Morning
2. That’s The Way Love Goes 3. Interlude: You Know
4. You Want This
5. Interlude: Be A Good Boy…
6. If
7. Interlude: Back
8. This Time
9. Interlude: Go On Miss Janet
10. Throb
11. What’ll I Do
12. Interlude: The Lounge
13. Funky Big Band
14. Interlude: Racism
15. New Agenda
16. Interlude: Love Pt.2
17. Because Of Love
18. Interlude: Wind
19. Again
20. Interlude: Another Lover
21. Where Are You Now
22. Interlude: Hold On Baby
23. The Body That Loves You
24. Interlude: Rain
25. Any Time Any Place
26. Interlude: Are You Still Up
27. Whoops Now (Original Hidden Track)
Janet. Limited Edition
(Virgin Records, 1993)CD2 (Limited edition)
1. That’s The Way Love Goes / If (Medley – Live From 1993 MTV Music Awards)
2. That’s The Way Love Goes (We Aimsta Win Mix)
3. Again (French Version)
4. If (BRrother’s In Rhythm Swing You Pants Mix)
5. One More Chance
6. That’s The Way Love Goes (CJ Mackintosh R&B Mix)
7.If (Todd Terry Jeep Mix)
8. Again (Piano / Vocal)
Design of a Decade (A&M Records, 1995)1. Runaway
2. What Have You Done For Me Lately
3. Nasty
4. When I Think Of You
5. Escapade
6. Miss You Much
7. Whoops Now
8. Love Will Never Do (Without You)
9. Alright
10. The Best Things In Life Are Free
11. Control
12. The Pleasure Principle
13. Black Cat
14. Rhythm Nation
15. That’s The Way Love Goes
16. Come Back To Me
17. Let’s Wait Awhile
18. Twenty Foreplay
Some releases have a different tracklist.
The Velvet Rope
(Virgin Records, 1997)1. Interlude: Twisted Elegance
2. Velvet Rope (Feat. Vanessa Mae)
3. You
4. Got ‘Til It’s Gone
5. Interlude: Speaker Phone
6. My Need
7. Interlude: Fasten Your Seatbelts
8. Go Deep
9. Free Xone
10. Interlude: Memory
11. Together Again
12. Interlude: Online
13. Empty
14. Interlude: Full
15. What About
16. Every Time
17. Tonight’s The Night
18. I Get Lonely
19. Rope Burn
20. Anything
21. Interlude: Sad
22.Special
23. God’s Stepchild (Bonus Track Japan Only)
24. Can’t Be Stopped (Hidden Track)
All For You
(Virgin Records, 2001)1. Intro
2. You ain’t right
3. All for you
4. Interlude: 2wayforyou
5. Come on get up
6. When we oooo
7. China love
8. Love scene (Ooh Baby)
9. Would you mind
10. Interlude: Lame
11. Trust a try
12. Interlude: Clouds
13. Son of a gun (With Carly Simon)
14. Truth
15. Interlude: Theory
16. Someone to call my lover
17. Feels so right
18. Doesn’t really matter
19. Better days
20. Outro
21. Who (Bonustrack) (Japan Only)
Damita Jo
(Virgin Records, 2004)1. Looking For Love
2. Damita Jo
3. Sexhibition
4. Strawberry Bounce
5. My Baby
6. The Islands
7. Spending Time With You
8. Magic Hour
9. Island Life
10. All Nite (Don’t Stop)
11. R & B Junkie
12. I Want You
13. Like You Don’t Love Me
14. Thinkin’ Bout My X
15. Warmth
16. Moist
17. It All Comes Down To Love
18. Truly
19. The One
20. Slo Love
21. Country
22. Just A Little While
20. Y.O.
(Virgin Records, 2006)1. Call on Me feat. Nelly
2/ This Body of Mine (with Khia)
3. Stuck Inside the Groove
4. So Excited
5. With U
6. Enjoy
7. Clap Your Hands
8. 20 Part 2 (Interlude)
9. Love 2 Love
10. Daybreak
11. Take Care
12. 20 part 4 (Interlude)
13. Do It to Me
14. Get It Out Me
15. Show Me
16. (Outr0) 20 part 5
Different tracklists in different coutries
Discipline
(Island Def Jam, 2008)1. I.D. (Interlude)
2. Feedback
3. LUV
4. Spinnin (Interlude)
5. Rollercoaster
6. Bathroom Break (Interlude)
7. Rock With U
8. 2nite
9. Can’t B Good
10. 4 Words (Interlude)
11. Never Letchu Go
12. Truth or Dare (Interlude)
13. Greatest X
14. Good Morning Janet (Interlude)
15. So Much Betta
16. Play Selection (Interlude)
17. The 1 featuring Missy Elliott
18. What’s Ur Name
19. The Meaning (Interlude)
20. Discipline
21. Back (Interlude)
22. Curtains
Numbers Ones / The Best
(A&M, 2009)What Have You Done For Me Lately
Nasty
When I Think Of You
Control
Let’s Wait Awhile
The Pleasure Principle
Diamonds
Miss You Much
Rhythm Nation
Escapade
Alright
Come Back To Me
Black Cat
Love Will Never Do (Without You)
The Best Things In Life Are Free
That’s The Way Love Goes
If
Again
Because Of Love
Any Time, Any Place
Scream
Runaway
Got ‘Til It’s Gone
Together Again
I Get Lonely
Go Deep
What’s It Gonna Be
Doesn’t Really Matter
All For You
Someone To Call My Lover
All Nite (Don’t Stop)
Call On Me
Feedback
Make Me
ICON: Numbers Ones ( 2010)1. What Have You Done For Me Lately
2. Nasty
3. When I Think Of You
4. Miss You Much
5. Escapade
6. Alright
7. That’s The Way Love Goes
8. Together Again
9. Doesn’t Really Matter
10. All For You
11. Make Me
12. Nothing
Songs A list of Janet’s collaborations with numerous artists resulting in many released tracks is coming soon.
We Are The World 25 for Haiiti (2010)
Filmography
Good Times (1977-1978)Season 5
Character: Millicent “Penny” Gordon Woods
Good Times (1978-1979)Season 6
Character: Millicent “Penny” Gordon Woods
Diff’rent Strokes (1981-1984)Season 3
Season 4
Season 5
Season 6
Season 7
Nutty Professor II: The Klumps (Universal Pictures, 2000)
Character: Professor Denise Gaines
Why Did I Get Married
(LionsGate, 2007)Character: Patricia Agnew
Why Did I Get Married Too?
(LionsGate, 2010)Character: Patricia Agnew
For Colored Girls…
(LionsGate, 2010)Character: Jo(ann)
Book
True YouPart autobiographical and part self-help book about Janet’s weight loss and weight gain, her childhood and her self-esteem issues. Janet shares anecdotes about what she went through.
True You: A Journey to Finding and Loving Yourself
My Favorite Janet Jackson Song: “Escapade”
Maureen Reilette Jackson
Born: May 29, 1950
Biography – Taken from The Jackson Source
Maureen Reilette was born May 29th, 1950 as the first child of Joseph and Katherine. Rebbie Jackson, like her siblings Janet, La Toya, and Randy, was out of the public eye when her brothers stormed the music world as the Jackson 5. She and La Toya sang in church with their mother and she even won some dance contests with brother Jackie when they were little. Like most eldest children, she often played a caretaker role, looking after her siblings and helping with cooking and cleaning around the house.
Rebbie married her childhood sweetheart, Nathaniel Brown, at the age of 18. Rebbie’s first child, Stacee, was born in 1971. In the 70’s Rebbie took her first serious steps into the show business as she took part in several family shows.
After that, Rebbie began a professional singing career, becoming a cabaret singer and background vocalist. And in the 80’s she released her solo albums successfully with “Centipede” written by Michael as her biggest selling hit. Despite lots of criticism for releasing an album during the height of Jackson mania, Rebbie was labeled “the Jackson family’s best kept secret.” She enjoyed a promotional tour that included numerous club dates. Rebbie and her family welcomed the birth of her third child, Austin, during the period between her debut release and her sophomore album (1985).
In the 90’s, Rebbie worked on a number of projects. She helped her family develop an autobiographical TV miniseries called “The Jacksons: An American Dream.” She also helped to organize a The Jackson Family Honors TV show and “Forever Young” was recorded for Free Willy 2: Adventure Home soundtrack. In the late 90’s, Rebbie signed with brother Michael’s MJJ label (distributed through Sony). Her label debut album Yours Faithfully was released in March 1998. In the late 90’s and early 2000’s, Rebbie showcased her talents in a Las Vegas show featuring many of her songs as well as tunes made famous by her brothers and other artists. Rebbie enjoyed a run at the Venetian and Castaways hotels/casinos.
To date, she has not enjoyed or ambitioned the level of success shared by many of her siblings. While many critics have acknowledged that Rebbie has the strongest voice of the Jackson sisters, she has still been described as having a voice that is “thin, wispy, and not very distinctive.” Rebbie remains a devout Jehovah’s Witness and staunch supporter of the Jackson family and her own family. She has supported efforts by her daughters and her son to enter the music industry. In 2011 Rebbie headlines the the Pick Up The Phone project tour. Discography
Centipede
(CBS Records, 1984)1. Centipede
2. Come Alive It’s Saturday Night
3. Hey Boy
4. Open Up My Love
5. Play Me (I’m A Jukebox)
6. I Feel For You
7. A Fork In The Road
8. Ready For love
Reaction
(CBS Records, 1986)1. Reaction
2. Ain’t No Way To Love
3. Ticket To Love
4. You Don’t Know What You’re Missing
5. You Send The Rain Away *
6. If You Don’t Call (You Don’t Care)
7. Always Wanting Something
8. Tonight I’m Yours
9. Lessons (In The Fine Art Of Love)
R U Tuff Enuff
(CBS Records, 1988)1. Perfect Combination
2. Read Between The Lines
3. This Love Is Forever
4. R U Tuff Enuff
5. Plaything
6. Friendship Song
7. Sweetest Dreams
8. Distant Conversation
Yours Faithfully
(MJJ Music, 1998)1. What You Need
2. Play Your Game
3. Yours Faithfully
4. Get Back To You
5. I Don’t Want To Lose You
6. Fly Away
7. You Take Me Places
8. Once In A Lifetime Love
9. Baby, I’m In Heaven
10. Koo Koo
11. Centipede
My Favorite Rebbie Jackson Song: “Centipede”
La Toya Yvonne Jackson
Born: May 29, 1956
Biography
La Toya Yvonne Jackson is born on May the 29th, 1956 in Gary, Indiana. With seven pounds and twelve ounce she’s the biggest Jackson-baby. When the Jackson Five become successful, La albums_toya spends lots of time with her mother and sisters, and the four of them keep the household running. For La Toya it wasn’t easy growing up in the Jackson-family: many children pretended to be her “friends”, just to try to get closer to the famous brothers. La Toya and Janet have their professional debut in 1974 and soon there’s an interest in Janet. Meanwhile Joe and Katherine Jackson keep thinking about a way to help La Toya and Rebbie to start off an entertainment-career. The idea to form a girl-band with Janet, is swept aside. Toy was determent to be the first Jackson-girl to record an album. La Toya Jackson is released at the end of that year, 1980. The album seems not successful, but this doesn’t discourage and she starts with the recordings for her second album, My special Love (1981). More albums follow in the 80’s and La Toya makes promotional tours all over the world. In 1989, she and Marlon are the only two not singing in the “2300 Jackson Street” song. During her drudging for her own career Toya meets Jack Gordon. After awhile he becomes her manager, and La Toya alienates more and more from her family. In 1989 Toy poses for Playboy. After Jack and La Toya’s marriage in 1989, she alienates even more from her family, leaving her family members to think that La Toya had ended up in a bad relationship with Jack calling the orders and pushing her to do things against her will. La Toya writes her autobiography, in response to Michael’s Moonwalker, pretending to reveal the real truth about the Jackson family, claiming she was abused and all the children were daily beaten up by Joe and saying her parents tried to have her husband Jack killed. Toyagoes on stiffly with her career, but the next four albums in the late 80’s and early 90’s seem not very successful. To promote her albums, La Toyavisits many countries and shows herself enthusiast to the fans. Meanwhile, the Jackson family is convinced that Jack brainwashed Toya. La Toya disappeared from the spotlight and only several years ago, we learned that La Toya was divorced from Jack Gordon, that she was back with her family, started a new life and found renewed happiness and peace. She founded Ja-Tail Enterprises, with divisions for movies and music.
In December of 2006, La Toyaparticipated in a CBS reality show titled Armed & Famous. The show put five celebrities through police training and onto the streets of Muncie, Indiana to patrol the streets and film the outcome. At this time La Toya released the single “I Don’t Plat That” which features backing vocals of her cousin Genevieve. Following in Jermaine’s footstep, in 2009 Toya enters the Celebrity Big Brother house in 2009. She is involved in a lot of charity work since the death of her brother Michael, taking over campaign work and trying to achieve an AIDS free world. In July 2009 La Toya releases the song “Home” as a tribute to brother Michael. The song was originally recorded for her yet unreleased album Startin’ Over.
In 2010, La Toya makes a lot of visits to Europe and she is the faceoof Allessandro’s “Dream Cream”. Toy also works on her La Toya Jackson Luxurious Line that will deliver the Simply La Toya perfume in fall of 2011. In 2010 La Toya participates in The Celebrity Apprentice TV show and also develops her entrepeneur skills. The projects of Ja-Tail Enterprises keep her busy.
Discography
La Toya Jackson
(Polydor Records, 1980)If You Feel the Funk
Save Your Love
My Love Has Passed You By
Are You Ready?
Night Time Lover
A Taste of You (Is a Taste of Love)
Lovely is She
If I Ain’t Got It
My Special Love
(Polydor Records, 1981)Stay the Night
Fill You Up
Love Song
Giving You Up (Duet with Randy Jackson)
I Don’t Want You to Go
Camp Kuchi Kaia
Summertime With You
Special Love
Heart Don’t Lie
(CBS Records, 1984)Think Twice
Heart Don’t Lie
Bet’cha Gonna Need My Lovin’
Private Joy
Hot Potato
I Like Everything You’re Goin’
Frustration
Without You
Imagination
(CBS Records, 1986)He’s a Pretender
On a Night Like This
How Do I Tell Them
Imagination
Baby Sister
Weak Spot
Love Talk
Boys Got Something Girls Ain’t Got
La Toya
(BMG Records, 1988)You’re Gonna Get Rocked
You Blew
Such a Wicked Love
Not Giving Up On Love
If I Could Get to You (featuring John Pagano)
Turn on the Radio
Just Say No
Does It Really Matter
(Tell Me) She Means Nothing to You at All
(Ain’t Nobody Loves You) Like I Do
Bad Girl
(Teldec Records, 1989)Sexual Feeling
You and Me
He’s My Brother
Restless Heart
Playboy
You Can Count on Me
Somewhere
Bad Girl
Be My Lover
He’s So Good to Me
Do the Salsa
Piano Man
No Relations
(Pump Records, 1991)Sexbox
Wild Side
Submission
Reggae Nights
Could This Be Love We’re Making
To Prove My Love
Times Are Changing
Playboy
Let’s Rock the House
Formidable
(Pierjenn Productions, 1992)Les Doriss Girls
Les Touristes
Formidable
Paris En Rose
A Paris, Les Femmes Ressemblent A Des Fleurs
Les Garçons Du Desert
Le Marche
Les Filles Aux Serpents
Night Club
Les Crocodiles
Les Tapis Volants
La Fontaine Lumineuse
Allons A L’Opera
Valses De Vienne
French Cancan
La Danse Nouvelle – Jeanne Avril Et Bruant
Une Pensee Pour Maurice
Un Clin D’ceil A Josephine
Locomotion
French Medley
Grand Final Blanc Et Rouge – Formidable
From Nashville To You: My Country Collection
(Mar-Gor Records, 1994)Fanfare – Intro
Burnin’ Love
So in Love With You
Georgia Dreamin’
I’ve Got to Be Bad
Crazy
Trash Like You
Another Heart
Dance Away These Blues Tonight
Boots
What You Don’t Say (Duet with Lee Greenwood)
Little Misunderstood
One Strike You’re Out
Break a Leg
Stop In The Name Of Love
(CMC Records, 1995)Stop in the Name of Love (The Remix)
Baby Love
Baby I Need Your Loving
I Can’t Help Myself
Two Lovers
Someday We’ll Be Together
My Guy
Tracks of My Tears
Love Child
Stop in the Name of Love (Album Version)
I’ll Be There
Tears of a Clown
Startin’ Over (Unreleased)
(Ja-Tail Records, 2002)No More Drama
Just Wanna Dance
C’est La Vie
Anger Management (Skit)
Don’t Want You No More
Home
Call Me
That’s Why I Love You
Something About You
Mafia Style (Skit)
Should’ve Left You
Free the World
Player
You’re So Nasty
Sorry Lies
Tropical Breeze
Free the World (Extended Dance Mix)
Starting Over EP
(2011)Starting Over
Should’ve Left You
Free The World
Mafia Style (skit)
Just Wanna Dance
Don’t Want You No More
No More Drama
Songs
Oops, Oh No! (Cerrone & La Toya Jackson)
Music of Life, 1986
Stop the Madness, 1985 (Anti-drug song)
Yes, I’m Ready (Jed & La TOya Jackson, 1984
Why Don’t You Want My Love?, 1991
Oops, Oh No! 1991
Don’t Break My Heart (duet with Tom Besser, 1988
I Don’t Play That, 2007
Home, 2009
Backing vocals
P.Y.T. (Michael Jackson, Thriller, 1981)
We Are the World (USA For Africa, 1985)
Book
Growing up in the Jackson Family
(Dutton Publishing, 1991)Autobiography
Starting Over (Simon & Schuster, 2011)
My Favorite Latoya Jackson Song: “If You Feel The Funk
Paris Jackson is in People Magazine May 7th 2012 Issue.
Paris Jackson, 14 The King of Pop’s Daughter “My grandmother [Katherine Jackson] doesn’t like it when I wear makeup. I can understand why – foundations aren’t always good for your skin. When I spend the weekend at my friend’s house, we usually have one night where we wash our faces and use those nose things for our pores. They’re really cool!”
BEAUTY ICONS: “Halle Berry and Beyonce. Beyonce is like an angel. She’s one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever seen.”
Administrator’s Note: The issue is already on the news stand in some areas, including mine. She is beautiful, no doubt!
Four of the Jacksons will reunite in the studio following their summer US tour, but Randy is staying away.
Source: The Guardian
The Jackson 5 on stage. Photograph: Neal Preston/Corbis
The Jacksons have announced plans for their first album in more than 20 years. Jackie, Jermaine, Marlon and Tito Jackson will reunite at the studio following a 27-date US tour, which begins in June.
“That’s what we gotta do,” Jackie told Billboard. “Right after the tour, we’re gonna go back into the studio and start recording some new music. I can’t wait.”
Picture Credit: Facebook.com/TheJack5ons
The Jacksons’ last album was 2300 Jackson Street, issued in 1989. Although that record incorporated minor contributions by Marlon, Rebbie, Janet and Michael Jackson, most of the LP was performed by the other four brothers – including Randy, who has sat out the new reunion. For their new songs, Jackie said, the Jacksons are going to stick to their roots and keep things “simple”. “We can’t shy away from our sound,” Jackie said, although the new album will also include “a little bit of today”.
For the moment, the revived group show no signs of involving Ai, the Japanese pop singer with whom they performed last year. They recorded one song together, a Michael Jackson tribute called Letter in the Sky, which reached No 2 in the Japanese charts. “We thought it was a great song,” Jackie said in November. “She’s an incredible talent.”
The Jacksons’ Unity tour kicks off in Louisville, Kentucky, on 18 June. “It’s a challenge,” Jackie said, “because I can’t move like I used to move a long time ago.” No British or European dates have been announced.
As part of the WPGC 25TH Birthday Bash Concert Series, it’s one of the most famous musical families… THE JACKSONS – coming to Constitution Hall July 3rd.
Flashback into history with all the beloved hits from the Jackson 5, The Jacksons and Jermaine Jackson’s solo career. Tickets go on sale for The Jacksons this Friday, April 6th at ticketmaster.com. Plus listen all week to Free and Sunni for your chance to “WIN ‘EM BEFORE YOU CAN BUY ‘EM!”
Celebrate our 25th Birthday with the Jackson’s!
THE JACKSONS July 3 DAR CONSTITUTION HALL (1776 D St. NW – Washington DC 20006) ON SALE: Friday, April 6 at 10:00 AM at LiveNation.com, all Ticketmaster outlets, or charge by phone (800) 745-3000 PRICES: $150.00, $65.00, $45.00 (Reserved) All dates, acts and ticket prices subject to change without notice. Ticket prices subject to applicable fees.
THE JACKSON’S
Adored by millions of fans the world over, the Jackson’s forever changed the landscape of popular music. When siblings Jackie, Jermaine, Marlon, and Tito Jackson rose to fame with their late brother Michael in the 1970s, they instantly became an unstoppable global sensation. The Jackson’s’ unique brand of soulful pop-funk, their lengthy catalogue of hits, and their impeccable live performances have made them one of the most beloved musical acts of all time. Idols unlike any other in music history, the Jacksons redefined, reinvented, and reinvigorated popular music as we know it. Classic #1 hits such as “ABC,” “I Found That Girl,” “I Want You Back,” and “I’ll Be There,” catapulted the group to superstardom. With nine #1 hits and 14 Top 10 hits, the group has certainly left it mark on the charts. These timeless tracks remain every bit as infectious, incomparable, and iconic today as when they were first released.
Not only did the Jackson 5 become the first group ever to have their first four singles hit #1 on the Billboard Charts, which brought them international notoriety. “I’ll Be There” remains the best-selling single in Motown history. The Jackson’s were formally inducted into the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame in 1997 and were the youngest group ever to receive that honor. They have had the honor of performing for the Queen of England three times as well as meeting and performing for Presidents, dignitaries, and various Heads of State throughout the globe.
The Jacksons last toured together, in support of their album Victory, in 1984. The Jacksons Victory tour was the first of its kind and drew over 2.5 million people to Stadiums across America to see their performances. Now, for the first time in nearly three decades, the group will be back on stage together for the hotly anticipated Unity Tour 2012. The group will embark on a worldwide series of shows this summer, beginning in the U.S., playing the hits from all the eras of their celebrated career: They will perform their universally beloved hits from the Jackson 5, the Jacksons, and Jermaine Jackson’s solo career.
The Jacksons signature sun-drenched harmonies, energetic stage presence, and roster of smash hits have left an indelible mark on popular music: the name ‘The Jackson’s’ is known around the world, and they remain the biggest-selling family in music of all time. Celebrate their extraordinary career and witness music history firsthand this summer when the Jacksons reunite for the Unity Tour 2012.
NEW YORK, April 4 (UPI) — Jackie, Jermaine, Marlon and Tito Jackson announced plans Wednesday for their first U.S. concert tour since 1984.
The singing siblings, who have performed together under numerous names including the Jackson 5, became pop icons in the 1970s alongside their younger brother, Michael, who died in 2009.
The Jacksons’ Unity Tour 2012 is to kick off June 18 in Louisville, Ky. It will wrap up July 29 in Snoqualmie, Wash.
“This is a dream coming true,” Jackie Jackson said in a statement about the tour. “I can’t believe this is finally happening. There’s nothing like having all the brothers on stage at the same time. This will be exciting for our fans around the world — and I know at each concert, MJ’s spirit will be in the house with us.”
“I am so happy and excited to perform again onstage with my brothers,” Jermaine Jackson said. “I can’t wait to sing all the songs that were so much a part of all of our lives. We are ready and committed to keep the family’s legacy alive and perform once again with the highest level of excellence, creativity, and most of all, integrity.”
Administrator’s Note: Watching this video makes me so sad that Michael is not here. He was so on fire that night. I wish that we could have frozen him in those glorious years forever so that he would be protected from all the pain that came later. The world was at his feet and he conquered it. But now my sweet angel is in a place where no one will hurt him again.
I do believe that he would happy that his brothers are going on tour. I believe that he will be there with them in spirit. I think he that may have even wanted them to do it along. They just needed to believe that they could do it without him. I wish them much success. I plan to be there when they come to my town. WILL YOU?
Since their brother Michael passed away in June 2009, there has been persistent talk of a full-scale Jacksons tour, with the surviving Jackson brothers on board performing their collective hits and the hits of brother Jermaine.
Today the iconic sibling group — Jackie, Jermaine, Marlon and Tito Jackson — announced a full-scale national tour, with a Houston date July 14 at Bayou Music Center, formerly Verizon Wireless Theater.
Armed with their bedrock Jackson 5 hits, Jacksons work, and Jermaine Jackson’s hit solo cuts, the group’s “Unity Tour” marks their first tour in nearly three decades. That last tour in support of 1984′s Victory album was a highly successful outing, with the group playing in front of more than 2.5 million screaming fans.
The Victory tour and the Jacksons stopped at the Astrodome for two days on November 9 and 10, 1984. The group’s entire Dallas set from that tour is here on YouTube.
Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, April 6, at the usual outlets: livenation.com, “most” Houston-area Randall’s stores, 1-866-4HOUTIX (446-8849) and the Bayou Music Center Box Office.
DATE DAY CITY/STATE VENUE: 6/18 Mon Louisville, KY Palace Theatre 6/19 Tue Cincinnati, OH PNC Pavilion at Riverbend Music Center 6/20 Wed Rama, ON Casino Rama 6/22 Fri Merrillville, IN Star Plaza Theatre 6/23 Sat Detroit, MI Fox Theatre 6/24 Sun Kettering, OH Fraze Pavilion 6/26 Tues Cleveland, OH Jacob’s Pavilion 6/28 Thurs New York, NY Apollo 6/29 Fri Atlantic City, NJ Borgata 6/30 Sat Englewood, NJ Bergen PAC 7/1 Sun Baltimore, MD Lyric Opera House 7/3 Tues Washington, DC DAR Constitution Hall 7/6 Fri Raleigh, NC Raleigh Amphitheatre 7/7 Sat Charlotte, NC Time Warner Cable Uptown Amphitheatre 7/8 Sun Atlanta, GA Chastain Park 7/10 Tues Nashville, TN Ryman Auditorium 7/11 Weds St. Louis, MO Fox Theatre 7/13 Fri Dallas, TX Verizon Theatre 7/14 Sat Houston, TX Bayou Music Theatre (Verizon Theatre) 7/17 Tues Albuquerque, NM Hard Rock Hotel & Casino 7/18 Weds Phoenix, AZ Dodge (Comerica Theater) 7/20 Fri Las Vegas, NV The Cannery 7/21 Sat San Diego, CA Harrah’s Rincon 7/22 Sun Los Angeles, CA The Greek 7/27 Fri Saratoga, CA The Mountain Winery 7/28 Sat Lincoln City, OR Chinook Winds Casino 7/29 Sun Snoqualmie, WA Snoqualmie Casino
Born: Paris Michael Katherine Jackson on April 3, 1998
Parents: Debbie Rowe and Michael Jackson
Siblings: Michael Joseph Jackson Jr aka “Prince”
Prince Michael IIaka “Blanket”
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Out of all three Jackson siblings, Paris is the most vocal. She is taking the world by storm with her charm and personality. Paris is a true “daddy’s girl” in every sense of the word. We first heard her sweet voice at her father’s memorial, when she captured the heart of the world by sharing her grief and love about her dad. She made many people realize that Michael was a wonderful and kind father. Her pure innocence made them finally see that he was more than just a celebrity. He was a single parent and he knew how to raise his children to be smart, caring and polite. She is very motherly to her brothers, especially Blanket.
Paris is very fun loving and an all around girl with many talents. She reminds me a lot of her Aunt Janet, who used to be a tomboy when she was a kid. Paris can also be very lady like. She loves shoes and she loves to get her nails done. She likes Hello Kitty too (so do I) and her favorite superhero is Storm. Her dad liked Morph! She likes to sing and plays guitar and piano. Her favorite color is blue. Paris has always stated that she wanted to do what her father did and she seems to going in that direction. Her daddy loved his little girl and she loved him. She wears his shirts and has his pictures all over her wall, awwww!
This is too sweet! I miss you Michael! *tears*
Video has been dis-embedded. Click on the watch on You Tube Link to view.
Paris is supposed to appear in her first movie “Lundon’s Bridge And The Three Keys.” In the past year, she has made a solo appearance on “The Ellen Show.” She has made other appearances, along with her brothers, in tribute to their father.
Paris is very athletic. She plays softball and she is a fierce football player. Check her out below!
She has even exhibited her father’s famous toe stance on the field!
Paris also loves animals, children and she likes to climb trees. Wonder where she got that from? LOL!
And like most teens, she loves taking pictures of herself with her cell phone!
She mimics a lot of her dad’s mannerisms!
And they both have been seen shooting their middle finger at the press! But I won’t post those pictures here!
Paris cares alot about people and the environment. She wants to make the world a better place, just like Michael.I am really proud of her because she is growing to be a very strong, bright and capable young lady. She is a beautiful girl, inside and out.
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I pray that you have a wonderful birthday and may all your dreams come true! Most of all, I wish love, peace and joy all the days of your life. Much love to you sweetheart! ♥ ♥
Austin Brown, the nephew of the late King of Pop Michael Jackson, premieres his new song ‘Menage a Trois’ exclusively on AOL Music. The 26-year-old son of Rebbie Jackson, the eldest child of the Jackson family, certainly has some big shoes to fill as he breaks into the music biz. But trust us, this isn’t just another case of entertainment industry nepotism — Brown is the real deal. After listening to his vocals on this new track, we’re sure MJ would be proud.
“Valentine’s Day seemed like the perfect time to debut my new song ‘Menage a Trois,’ which is about a love triangle and what happens when you unexpectedly fall in love with two different women at the same time,” Brown tells AOL Music. “It’s a situation I strongly recommend avoiding if you can help it,” he shares with a laugh. We’re with you there, Austin!
“Musically, the song was influenced by classic Motown and Stax records. We wanted to create a song that channeled the Temptations and the Four Tops with James Jamerson on the bass,” Austin revealed. “I wrote and produced the song with my writing partners Scott Bruzenak and Tommy Parker. The three of us refer to ourselves as the Backpack Kids. We all come from different backgrounds and styles,” the young singer explained of his collaborators.
Listen to Austin Brown’s ‘Menage a Trois’ (Click link at the bottom to listen)
“Scott’s a musical chameleon whose musicality ranges from electronic music to classical to free jazz. Tommy is an encyclopedia of music and soul, and I was lucky enough to be born into a family that lives and breathes music,” Austin said, referencing the Jackson’s musical legacy.
“I’ve got a deep love of pop music,” Brown continues. “And there’s nothing like the feeling of having that music love you back. We put all these styles into our backpack to create the sound.”
“‘Menage a Trois’ is my first new song of 2012 and I’m really excited to share it with AOL Music fans first,” the singer shares with us. “If you dig it, please check out austinbrown.com — there’s gonna be a lot more coming over the course of the next few weeks!”
♥ HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MICHAEL JOSEPH JACKSON JR. AKA “PRINCE!” ♥
Yes, our little Prince has grown up and will be turning 15 on February 13, 2012. He has turned out to be such a smart, kind and handsome young man. He is very articulate and carries himself well. I hope that one day he will run his father’s estate and that nothing will hinder it from happening. I pray that God keeps all of Michael’s children safe, sound, happy and healthy. May they always remember what their dad told them and taught them in private about life.
Source For Both Articles: Toronto Sun – By Marie-France Bornais
“Michael Hated Titles“
NEW YORK — If people knew everything that Michael experienced growing up, Jermaine Jackson thinks they would have thought about him differently.
“He hated the titles,” Jermaine said in an exclusive interview.
“They were calling him names, ‘Freaking Wacko-Jacko’ and all these kinds of things. That hurt him because here’s someone who’s taking the time, with his fame, to give a message that is so divine and so pure for the world, and for children, and for people. And all they can do is look at things that are not important, like the colour of his skin.
“It’s horrible to be accused of horrible things, false allegations of child molestation which (were) just horrible. They tried so hard to bring him down on so many other things… That’s just horrible because they knew he loved children and they tried to bring him down on the very thing that he loved, which was kids.”
Jermaine said that Michael donated hundreds of millions of dollars to charity, before his tragic death in 2009 at age 50.
“He would go to any hospital, anywhere in the world, and walk down the emergency corridors, and find who needed operations and he would pay for them, and give lung transplants and all kinds of things. And liver transplants. That’s what he did. And people who couldn’t afford burials in our industry, in the music industry, he would bury them (and pay for it).”
Jermaine, 57, recalls his family’s beginnings in a poorly insulated bungalow in Gary, Ind., like it was yesterday. Michael and Jermaine had seven siblings — Jackie, Tito, Marlon, Rebbie, La Toya, Randy and Janet.
“Going back to the Gary days and writing about our childhood was very easy, because it’s something that will never go away in our minds, and the Jackson Five days were some of the most incredible days in our lives.
“It was just the beginning of us wanting to be like the Temptations, and Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, and The Supremes, and all these (artists that) we grew up wanting to be like. And we were on our way, and that’s because the Jackson Five gave us that international fame — and that gave Michael an incredible launching pad to become Michael Jackson.”
When Michael was young, all members of the musical family thought he was something special.
“He could see something and do it. He could see Sammy Davis Jr., or Gene Kelly, or Fred Astaire and he could mimic them. He had an unbelievable voice when he was a child. And that’s a gift. As much talent as he had, he didn’t take it to the point where it was just about himself. He used the blessings that God gave him to bring words to the world about children who were dying, who were starving, people who were in need.”
Looking back, Jermaine believes that his father Joseph had reason to apply strict discipline to the children of the clan, although his teaching methods were very harsh. He also believes that music saved his life.
“My father’s methods were right on, and I’ll explain why. Because growing up during that time, we were in the middle of gangs, and they’d fight right at our doorstep. Right in front of our yard, right on the side of our house. And there (were) drugs and things like that. My father didn’t want that for us, raising six boys and three girls. So he was showing love by disciplining us. My mother gave us love. My father was very strict on making sure that we didn’t get caught in that.
“After we were successful, we went back. And most of our friends, they’re all dead. Either dead or in prison. That’s what he didn’t want, and so he was showing us how we can take another row by doing music. And his method was perfect. Because he would say if you work hard at something, you will achieve it.”
The cover of Jermaine Jackson’s “You Are Not Alone.”
NEW YORK — Jermaine Jackson debunks many of the myths about his family — and especially his late, superstar younger brother, Michael — in You Are Not Alone.
Jermaine’s biography, released last fall in English Canada and next Thursday in Quebec, is full of surprises.
He discusses everything about Michael: his difficult childhood, his meteoric rise to stardom, his global success, his spectacular tours, his sordid child-abuse trial, his extravagant properties, his disappointing love life and his tragic death in 2009 at age 50.
In an exclusive interview, Jermaine, says he wrote You Are Not Alone to put an end to the rumours, gossip, lies and falsehoods circulating about his famous family of musicians.
“During the process of writing You Are Not Alone, I had the chance to go through every (previously written) book, so to clear up all the lies and the misconceptions that they were painting our family out to be, (which weren’t) true,” said Jermaine, 57.
The bassist and singer in the first of the family’s two famous all-siblings bands, the Jackson Five, and a solo star in his own right with two hits (Dynamite and Do What You Do), Jermaine is now a composer, producer and official family spokesman.
“It was very important for me to straighten the records, because we know who we are, and the fact that we were raised to love one another and to respect each other, and to respect others … We’re all for one and one for all. And this book was a lot of healing for me too. I was all excited to get the truth out there.”
Jermaine, married with seven children, says it took him more than a year and a half to write You Are Not Alone, after six months of research and reflection around the world — in California, Paris, London, lstanbul, Dubai and Africa. He said he was delighted to touch on the happy moments, the best years. But he didn’t shy away from the difficult times — such as the death of his brother. He says the entire process was healing.
“To address (the lies) and tell the truth, that was rewarding for me too, for self-growth. Because I wanted the public to know the truth, and to know what happened during the incidents that took place during his life and our lives. And how these things became big media stories. And so now, they have the truth. I give a clear picture as to everything that happened from A to Z.
“I learned so much about what my family is, and how strong we are as siblings, and how we went over every obstacle of all these crazy things that were said about us. Saying our family is dysfunctional and this and that, just saying the most horrible things they can say.
“But we were strong and we knew who we were, we know who we are … Our whole thing was leaving Indiana, coming to California and holding on to family. It was the most important thing: staying a family. Because my father fought so hard to keep our family together.”
Jermaine says the media pressure was enormous — and part of everyday life for them all. Especially with how things could get twisted in the reporting of various incidents.
“Something would hit the press that wasn’t true … we’d be in the yard, at home, and all of a sudden, helicopters are flying over and we’d say, ‘Oh, what’s going on now?’ And we’d go in the house and they’d show us, live, on TV. We’re on TV ’cause some false thing has been said, and they are following us around the yard, and things like that. We found out a lot of things that way.
“The only time that we would get questions asked, I was going on Larry King or Barbara Walters, or some of the big news shows, to clear the facts. Because they wanted to know the truth, too. And I’ve always been straightforward and honest, with my answers.”
Jermaine says he always has been straightforward and honest with the press.
“I wrote this book because I wanted to put to bay all the lies and the misconceptions … And Michael deserves this. He deserves it more than anybody. Someone who worked so hard and had so much love to give and who is misunderstood, even to the day of his passing.”
Jesse Decosta in his Mississauga home with one of his treasures, a platinum record set from the Jackson family. The tribute fresh from LA was shipped to Decosta following an event on the west coast where DeCosta, their brand manager is often found.
Picture by – RICK EGLINTON/TORONTO STAR
Jesse DeCosta never really talks about his career — no one believes him, anyway.
This Mississauga man quietly works behind the scenes managing the brand image of of Hollywood’s stars, including Michael Jackson’s family, Jamie Foxx and comedian Kevin James.
“It is ridiculous when you hear a Canadian in Mississauga is doing this,” Decosta said of DeCosta Marketing Inc., which has offices in the GTA and LA.
Serendipity, he believes, led him to his career rubbing elbows with the rich and famous. He advises his star studded clientele on a variety of things, such as which public engagements to accept, how to design a website or what a movie poster should look like. (Less glamorous clients include the Ontario Municipal Insurance Exchange.)
But it hasn’t always been jetting to LA to accompany Will Smith to appearances at the Grove.
The 40-year-old grew up in Edmonton, where his father struggled to find work as a draftsman during the recession. After five years of unemployment, his dad moved to Mississauga for a job, leaving his family behind. He died unexpectedly four months later. DeCosta’s mother had to sell everything and move her family to Toronto’s suburbs.
DeCosta, 15 at the time, started working right away. Creative, design-related projects appealed to him, as his father was also an artist. Around 1989, he started working for Sony Music in Canada, helping DJs and promoting artists any way he could.
His serendipitous moment came in 1999, when he met singer Deborah Cox through a lawyer. Cox hired him as a brand manager, and he’s worked with her ever since.
The tipping point came later that year when Cox’s manager started working for Will Smith. DeCosta says Smith became his client soon after — and his best sales person.
“Will is a pretty big calling card,” DeCosta said.
Over the past 12 years, DeCosta’s business has grown organically, he said. He has no sales people, and he doesn’t make cold calls.
“Hollywood is very tight knit — it’s all based on trust and word of mouth. If you work hard and do good for one individual, it spreads.”
Decosta’s most recent project is a website for the Jackson family. A fan of their music, he met them through his work with Tupac Shakur’s estate.
“You meet with a lot of people and you talk with a lot of people,” said Marlon Jackson, one of the Jackson 5 members, in a phone interview. “We liked what [DeCosta] was doing and decided we would move forward with it.”
The Jackson’s had never had a website before, making it hard for the people to know the “one true authentic side” of the family’s story, Jackson said. As entrepreneurs (Jackson has plans to launch a fashion line), he and DeCosta share a special understanding.
DeCosta spends 70 per cent of his time in Canada with his wife of 20 years and their two children, he said, although he travels frequently to New York and LA. A Mississauga native, his wife doesn’t want to move south but is “enjoying the ride” of DeCosta’s career, he said.
Working with superstars does have its perks. When his family goes to LA, DeCosta’s children, aged 9 and 11, can visit the sets of TV shows they like. “The kids love it,” DeCosta said. They’ve also been to celebrity birthday parties.
Considering DeCosta is a brand manager, it’s surprising few back home know about his career advising Hollywood icons.
“I don’t know why,” DeCosta said, joking that he’s more popular in California than he is in the GTA. “I guess we’ve never really promoted ourselves locally.”
Michael Jackson’s brothers were so thrilled with a recent performance in Japan, they have now planned to take their family group back on the road, according to TMZ.
According to the website’s sources, the tour will take in a series of 18 to 20 concerts across Europe.
The Jacksons’ numbers will be sorely depleted since they made history in the 1970s, with their hits I Want You Back and ABC, and their own TV music show.
Youngest brother Michael who, despite his youth, stood out from the rest of the group, became its lead vocalist before becoming a solo superstar, died in 2009, and eldest Jermaine has no plans yet to join the rest of his family back on the road.
No one understands the dark side of fame better than the Jackson family, and as a new generation of Jacksons seeks the spotlight, Janet Jackson said she cautioned her niece about joining the family business.
In her first interview since Michael Jackson’s physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in Jackson’s 2009 death, Janet Jackson talked about her feelings on Michael’s daughter, 13-year-old Paris Jackson, signing on to do her first movie.
“I’m happy for her,” Jackson said with a knowing sigh. “I told her, I said, ‘You should really take your time to enjoy your youth to the upmost, to the fullest, and enjoy that.’ She wants to really give it a go. I mean, you lose so much of your childhood in this industry.”
Being a child star is something Aunt Janet is all too familiar with. While her decades-long music and acting career has brought her international fame, Jackson said the experience left her emotionally scarred for life. Even with abs of steel, Jackson said she has felt insecure about her body for years. Her newly released paperback, “True You: A Journey to Finding and Loving Yourself,” shares her lifelong battle for self-acceptance.
“If it isn’t our arms, it’s our thighs, it’s our butt, it’s our stomach,” she said. “I could easily pick myself apart. That’s what I would do, that’s what I did.”
The youngest of nine children in a household that lived and breathed fame, Jackson said her body issues began when she was a little girl, and her older brother Michael would tease her about her body.
“It was about my butt being too big,” Janet Jackson said. “I carried it with me through my adult life.”
At age 8, Janet Jackson was already belting out tunes on “The Carol Burnett Show” and holding her own alongside her brothers, who made up the enormously popular Jackson 5. But the scrutiny she received about her body at a young age, not just from her brother but from television producers, she said fueled a bad self image.
“I was 10 when I did ‘Good Times,’” Jackson recalled. “I remember them asking me, my first show, the wardrobe woman said, ‘We are going to bind your chest.’ I was developing at a very young age. Then the following season they told me I need to lose weight.”
“I look back on those episodes and I go, ‘Oh my gosh, I’m not a heavy kid by any means,’” she continued. “I internalized it and I never told anyone about it, and kept it inside for years.”
While Jackson’s anthem became “Control,” the title track off of her third album, released in 1986, she said she felt anything but, and would often turn to snack food for comfort.
“Ice cream sandwiches, chips, cookies — sometimes healthy food, but not much,” she said.
By 2005, her weight had ballooned. Jackson’s book “True You” details her painful journey that she said made her want to help others. In a surprising move, Jackson has now stepped out into a new role as a spokeswoman for Nutri-System.
“It has to be something I truly believe in,” she said. “I have struggled. I have had issues with this all my life. I am not just someone speaking out about it or hired to endorse it. I lived it. I understand it.”
Jackson completes the trio of other divas who have signed up to sell competing diets in the roughly $60 billion weight loss industry. Mariah Carey said she lost her baby weight after having twins with the Jenny Craig program. Broadway star Jennifer Hudson touts Weight Watchers, which is the brand leader in diet programs, followed by Nutri-System.
The singer/actress, 45, who has talked frankly about her history of yo-yo dieting, is a new spokeswoman for Nutrisystem, the commercial weight-loss program known for its home-delivered packaged foods.
Jackson, who is 5-foot-4, doesn’t want to talk about the number on the scales — although the company says she has lost 10 pounds in a little more than a month — because “I’m not viewing this as a diet,” she says. “I’m not putting a number on it. I don’t look at the scale. I’m going about it in a different way this time.”
She doesn’t need to lose “a great amount,” she says, and she’ll stop trying to slim down “when I feel good about it.” She is following the Nutrisystem program because “it’s not just about losing weight. It’s about making it a way of life. It’s about maintaining weight.”
She works out six days a week, usually running at least 3 miles. “I try to be consistent. Right now, I’ve been on this kick of running outdoors.”
For more than three decades, Jackson has struggled with her weight, including having large weight fluctuations. In 2006, she weighed 180 pounds, and in 2008, she lost 60 pounds, she writes in her book True You:A Journey to Finding and Loving Yourself with David Ritz. “Some of my battles with weight have been very public,” she says in the book. “But most of them have been internal. Even at my thinnest, when my body was being praised, I wasn’t happy with what I saw in the mirror or how I felt about myself.”
Her issues with weight began when she was a child. At age 10, she landed a role on the TV sitcom Good Times. “They told me I had to lose weight, and I wasn’t a heavy kid,” she says. Her late brother, Michael, often teased her. “He talked about my butt being too big. Some of us have a big butt, and some of us don’t. I’ve learned to accept it and love it.”
Over the years, she used food to comfort herself. “I used food in an unhealthy way — sometimes not eating enough and being too thin, and at other times eating when I was depressed, stressed.”
As for her weight-loss journey, she says, “I’ve come a long way. I haven’t reached where I want to be. I’m a work in progress.”
JANET will appear on Access Hollywood on Thursday December 15, to talk about her book ‘True You‘ being released in Soft Cover on December 13th and an exciting new partnership.
Janet will also appear on Good Morning America and Nightline on December 15th as well.
Her father, Michael, is the legendary pop icon. PARIS JACKSON will talk to Ellen about what life has been like for her and her family in the past few months. She’s also starring in the new film, “Lunden’s Bridge and the Three Keys.” The theme of the movie, saving the planet, is a cause close to both Paris and her father’s heart.
Administrator’s Note: I can’t help but wonder if Michael would be pleased with his children being exposed to the limelight so early in life. I believe that he would encourage them to be whatever they desire, but he would train and properly prepare them in private for many years before exposing them to Hollywood. He would want them to grow up and experience being a child, going to the prom, hanging out and just being kids. Just my two cents………… Cutie.
As the two-and-a-half year anniversary of Michael Jackson‘s death approaches, the pop star’s children are keeping busy carrying on his legacy.
Prince, Paris, and Blanket recently attended a taping of The X Factor, checked out the Las Vegas opening of Michael Jackson The Immortal World Tour by Cirque du Soleil and the Michael Jackson Fan Fest memorabilia exhibit. And now Paris, 13, has landed her first acting role in the film Lundon’s Bridge and the Three Keys.
“They’re doing well,” their uncle Marlon tells PEOPLE
Much of the credit for their happiness goes to their grandmother, Katherine, who has been raising the kids since their father’s death. “My grandmother is 81, but she’s very hands-on,” says their first cousin Genevieve, Randy’s daughter.
While they may be mini-celebs with multimillion-dollar trust funds reportedly waiting for them when they turn 30 – their father’s estate earned $445 million in the past two years alone, according to Forbes – the kids are leading relatively normal lives.
After years of home-schooling, Prince, 14, and Paris now attend a private school. “They love the social aspect of it,” says a family insider, noting Prince is “a great student” and “really popular with the girls.” Paris, meanwhile, plays on the boys’ flag-football team but isn’t dating. Explains the insider: “She’s got too many uncles keeping an eye on her.”
As for little brother Blanket (real name: Prince Michael II), 9, the shy boy is schooled at their seven-bedroom Calabasas, Calif., home, where he’s also been getting an education in the kitchen. “He likes cooking,” says the insider. “He’ll make cakes and cupcakes. The staff chef helps him.”
But the real passion for all three kids is entertainment. While Paris is focused on acting, her brothers are into filmmaking. “Prince and Blanket want to be directors,” says Genevieve, a music artist. “They make home movies together and recruit their cousins to act in them.” She adds, “The cousins are all very close.”
Having that bond is how the Jackson 3 remain grounded, says their uncle Jackie. “They stay with the family. That’s what it’s about. We keep a close watch on them.”
