Janet Jackson Reveals Horrible Names Michael Jackson Called Her
Janet Jackson revealed some of the horrible names her more famous brother, Michael called her.
“There were times when Mike used to tease me and call me names. Pig, horse, slut, or hog, cow,” Jackson said.
“He would laugh about it, and I’d laugh too, but then there was somewhere down inside that it would hurt,” she continued.
“When you have somebody say you’re too heavy, it affects you.”
She made the revelation in an upcoming documentary about her life that will be aired on A&E and Lifetime on Friday.
She spoke about the “scrutiny” that comes with having a famous last name, and years of living in her Brother Michael’s shadow.
The documentary aptly titled “Janet” chronicles the life of the 55-year-old pop star and reveals a darker side to her relationship with her icon brother.
Well after her brothers had hit big as the Jackson 5, an 11-year-old Janet finally caught her own big break with a role on 1970s sitcom “Good Times,” playing Penny, a young girl from an abusive home who is adopted by the Woods family during the fifth season.
That’s when her weight issues began: “I did ‘Good Times’ and that’s the beginning of having weight issues and the way I looked at myself.”
“I’m an emotional eater, so when I get stressed or something is really bothering me, it comforts me,” said Jackson, whose weight has fluctuated over the years.
In 2006, she grew to 180 pounds for a role, but keeping the weight off had been difficult. She later became a Nutrisystem spokesperson in 2011.
Adding to the awkwardness of Hollywood adolescence, she recalled, “I was developing at a very young age and I started getting a chest and they would bind it so I would look more flat-chested.”
Jackson also said that she believes fame is responsible for many of her troubles. Without it, she said, “I probably would have wound up not having a problem.”
Having the Jackson name comes with “a great deal of scrutiny,” she said — especially during Michael’s widely publicized controversies and court battles.
“It was frustrating for me,” she said. “We have our own separate lives and even though he’s my brother that has nothing to do with me.”
“But I wanted to be there for him, to support him as much as I possibly could.”
Michael’s legal troubles began with an accusation by 13-year-old Jordan Chandler in 1993, who said the entertainer had touched him inappropriately at his Neverland Ranch home. They settled out-of-court in January 1994 for $23 million.
She added, “Michael wound up giving money to the family. He just wanted it to go away, but that looks like you’re guilty.”
As a result, Janet’s career also suffered: “When that came out, Coca-Cola said, ‘No, thank you’. Guilty by association. That’s what they call it, right?”
She and Michael would later collaborate on “Scream,” a song written about his public trials.