Janet Jackson’s Secret Daughter?

By: Shannon Gossage

Does Janet Jackson have a secret daughter? Her reps aren’t saying, but her ex-brother in law is doing some talking. Last week Young DeBarge, his brother James was married to Jackson in the eighties, did an interview with a New York City radio station to promote his upcoming album. During the interview he claimed that the brief union between Jackson and DeBarge produced a now 18-year old daughter named Renee who was sent to live with Jackson’s older sister, Rebbie. "James and the Jackson family kept everything real close, real tight. No one really knew how it was working out until things kind of surfaced." DeBarge said during the interview.

Patti Webster, Jackson’s spokeswoman, had no comment but did not deny the claim. Jackson and DeBarge were married in 1984 when she was 18. The union lasted for less than three months and was annulled a year later. The baby rumors have dogged Jackson ever since. She addressed the rumors in 1994 during an interview saying, "[When you are famous], you have to deal with all of the things that are said about you that aren’t true. There is a rumor that has been going on about me for years that I have a child in Europe, which supposedly accounts for my trips to Europe. You try to ignore it until it just gets to the point where some of these things go absolutely too far."

The queen of secrets, Jackson went on to marry choreographer Rene Elizondo in 1991. Their marriage remained a well-kept secret until their bitter divorce in 2000. Jackson is now dating music producer Jermaine Dupri. They reportedly began dating in 2002 and there were rumors of yet another secret wedding in 2004. Who knows if they have secretly tied the knot? A source close to Jackson said the whole secret marriage thing isn’t really a great idea saying it "puts a damper on the whole situation" and "this time [with Dupri], she’s bold with it." There have also been rumors starting to circulate that Jackson and Dupri are expecting their first child together. Of course there was "no comment" from Janet’s camp.