Michael Jackson’s Sister Janet Recalled the Moment They ‘Started Going Our Separate Ways’
Michael Jackson’s Sister Janet Recalled the Moment They ‘Started Going Our Separate Ways’
Morning Honey Staff Sun, August 9, 2026 at 11:15 AM UTC
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Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson shared a very close sibling bond as children. (Image Credit:@MichaelJanetJa2/X)
In the late 1960s, the Jackson family rose to fame from Gary, Indiana, and became global stars. The family of nine siblings included five brothers who formed The Jackson 5. The group gained widespread fame with hits like I Want You Back, ABC, and I’ll Be There.
However, after the group split in the 1980s, two siblings became global megastars. Michael Jackson, who redefined pop music and gained the title of The King of Pop and Janet Jackson, the youngest sibling, who built her own massive career.
Janet and Michael’s Early Life in the Spotlight and Childhood Hardships
For Michael and Janet, fame came but with high personal costs. The two endured strict work demands during childhood and missed out on normal experiences. Later, their lives became constant fodder for the media. These hardships bonded the siblings and led to a strong, complex relationship that lasted until Michael’s death in June 2009.
Michael stood out early as the youngest member of The Jackson 5 due to his talent and energy. Janet, on the other hand, watched from the sidelines. She preferred hanging around her brothers over her older sisters.
“Michael and I were closest in the entire family growing up. We did everything together.” She revealed that her brothers included her without treatment typical for younger siblings. “They never treated me that way,” she recalled.
The Two Relied on Each Other During Tough Times
Both the performers entered the entertainment industry around age six under the management of their father, Joe Jackson. While The Jackson 5 toured, Janet began acting and secured a key role on Good Times in 1977.
Their father, Joe, ran a very strict and demanding household. In order to deal with the pressure, Michael and Janet leaned on each other. They used dance and art as outlets. Janet stated in 1987 that creative expression helped them escape their difficult home environment.
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The Two Started Facing Cracks in Their Bond
Their bond faced strain as they grew older. Michael sometimes teased Janet about her weight. In her 2022 documentary, Janet recalled him calling her names like “pig” or “cow.” While she tried to ignore it, the comments did hurt her self-esteem. She later stressed that Michael did not want to be malicious, but viewed the terms as ‘odd affection’.
Moreover, a major shift took place after Michael released his 1982 album Thriller. As his fame expanded, distance grew between them. Janet recalled a moment when Michael sat in her room in complete silence before walking out. “That’s the time Mike and I started going our separate ways,” she noted.
Michael’s Abuse Allegations Impacted Janet’s Career
In 1993, Michael faced child s*xual abuse allegations. He maintained his innocence and settled out of court. Despite their rocky relationship, she stood by her brother during the media fallout, even though the scandal affected her own public image, per Entertainment Tonight.
In her documentary, Janet admitted that the situation was frustrating. “We have our own separate lives, and even though he’s my brother, that has nothing to do with me,” she explained. “But I wanted to be there for him, to support him as much as I possibly could.”
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Source: “AOL Entertainment”
