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Janet Jackson announced this April that she was separated from her husband, Wissam Al Mana, after five years. The two have son Eissa together, just eight months old, and there were stories at the time that Wissam was controlling toward Janet, to the point where he tried to tell her which performance outfits would be acceptable on her upcoming tour, which has since launched. Janet’s older brother, Randy (not the guy from American Idol) just confirmed to People magazine that Janet was emotionally abused by Wissam, that she felt trapped by him and that his abuse is ongoing as they try to coparent Eissa. It’s rather unprecedented for the older Jacksons (not Michael’s kids, they’re rather open) to speak so candidly about their personal lives but here we are.
Speaking to PEOPLE exclusively, [Randy Jackson], 55, says, “Enough is enough” as he opens up for the first time about what he says is a troubling situation for the superstar singer.
“There’s a lot of pain. Janet’s been through a lot with her divorce. I’ve been through a lot, we all have,” says Randy, referring to Janet’s ongoing divorce and custody battle with Al Mana, 42.
As for what led to the divorce, Randy, who has attended court proceedings with Janet, draws a stark picture of his sister’s life with Al Mana towards the end of their relationship.
“It was quite an abusive situation,” Randy claims. “It came on later in the relationship, verbal abuse and being [made to feel like] a prisoner in her own home. No pregnant woman needs to go through being called a bitch everyday. There were things like that. That’s what she went through.”
In a statement released to PEOPLE, attorneys for Al Mana say “Mr. Al Mana is not going to dignify these particular and deeply hurtful allegations with a response.
“The breakdown of his marriage to Janet Jackson is a cause of great sadness to Mr. Al Mana, and it is the wellbeing and privacy of their son, Eissa, that remains his sole focus.”
Randy, who lives in London near the home Janet and Al Mana shared, claims that while the abuse was not physical, he was compelled to come to his sister’s aid earlier this year.
“I told her, ‘You’ve got to move in with me or I’m going to go over there and there’s going to be hell.’ She was really pissed off. I told her, ‘I don’t care anymore. I’m tired of it. It’s too much,’ ” he says
According to Randy, he wasn’t the only member of the large Jackson family to rally around Janet after the divorce, “My mom and [sister] Rebbie came out [to London]…”
“The abuse is still going on.” Randy says the pair are still in contact mostly due to coparenting Eissa. “She has custody and he of course allowed her to bring the baby on tour, but it’s constant harassment. This tour almost didn’t happen, but by the grace of God we’re here and we’re very prayerful.”
Many of us thought that something similar must be going on behind the scenes, but to hear it like this from Randy means that it must have been bad. I don’t think this is some kind of ploy by Janet for custody, but ET is reporting that Janet is seeking full custody and that’s why Randy told her story. A source tells ET that “her brother Randy feels like it is his job to protect his family and he could not take seeing his baby sister in emotional pain.” Randy told People that Janet “wants Eissa to have a mother and a father.” He added “We don’t like to put our business out there but sometimes transparency helps you.” ET previously reported that Wissam disrespected Janet’s mom, Katherine, 37, when Katherine visited them in London. Ok now I’m firmly team Janet.
Janet is in the midst of her State of the World Tour and has her fourth performance tonight, in San Antonio. During Saturday’s performance in Houston, she broke down crying which performing a song from 1997 about domestic violence, called “What About.” It’s the first time she’s performed the song since 1999. You can see footage from that moment on E! Online. Randy told People, in regard to that incident, “what you saw in Houston, it was her situation coming out.”
These photos are from 2015 and 2016. Credit: WENN and Getty
Yeah, not believing a thing until it comes from Janet’s own mouth with receipts. Her brothers, and the whole family, are vultures and leeches who have historically exploited their family name and more famous siblings for a buck. Absolutely not defending her ex – but the Jackson’s are historically shady as F when it comes to money and I take anything from her brothers or father with an enormous boulder of salt.
Whenever I think of Janet now, all I think of is that scene in the driveway with MJ’s kids after his death.
This probably is coming from Janet. She’s soft spoken, but savvy. The crying on stage during that particular song (she also said, “This is me.”) and the tour just getting underway makes it seem like this info is being carefully disseminated for maximum impact. Not to mention, he made it clear it was verbal, not physical abuse. Both are awful, but people tend not have as negative a response to adult on adult verbal abuse. With social media, more people than ever are guilty of saying nasty things to people. To me, that says she wants to manage the fallout for her son’s dad. I wouldn’t be surprised if things did get physical but she doesn’t want to go there. Also, Randy lives near her in London so he’s probs part of the inner circle. Really, Jermaine is the problem child. The other brothers have laid relatively low.
Yeah… sorry…. 5 years being abused and only after the baby it was too much. Not defending Al Mana, but the timing is perfect Jackson game. And like Neelyo, when I hear of Janet and kids, all I have in mind is that scene in the driveway. Too perfect of a Jackson timing. Many grains of salt to be taken in there.
That’s the sickening Jackson publicity machine at work once again,.
I have to agree with you, @Clare. Will wait to hear what else comes out on this.
I’m sorry, but her family members are leeches. Randy made some s*** up about a situation where he does not know jack and sold it to People is what happened. She went from the frying pan to the fire.
MTE, this family is straight up trash who protected and supported a man alleged to have repeatedly sexually assaulted young children, because he had the $$$. Janet is firmly part of that family and we’ve seen her messiness on full display.
NO dog in this fight Scout but MJ was found not guilty. Now Roman Polanski on the other hand admitted his crime. Yet many trashy celebrities work with him, gave him a standing ovation with his Oscar win and believe he doesn’t belong in jail
🙁
I think maybe the numbers for Katherine’s age have been transposed in the post. She’s definitely not 37. 😄
What a terrible situation for Janet and the baby. I hope things change soon. Glad she got out of the marriage!
87, more like.
Some men do become verbally abusive, overly critical and possessive once they feel they have the women completely in their grip. Not sure what happened here but if Janet had a truly loving husband I think she would be over the moon as a mother and wife.
Married a moneyed muslim from the gulf states, as a black woman no less.
She is lucky she is even allowed to see her son. Had she not been Janet Jackson, she wouldn’t even be able to get out of there alive.
I live in a muslim country – that is how it goes.
I must say considering the discrimination against black people and women in those countries I was surprised that a rich younger man married a black woman
So used to it being 20 year old white supermodels
Yea but they ARE crazy for linking themselves with international superstars, and she is it.
I am sure there was love between those two people but their characters, upbringing and emotional issues just got the best of them. I hope they can keep it civil for the baby. No child deserves to witness domestic violence between 2 parents.
I am an Arab who grew up in the Arab world and I hope that we are a bit mindful of how we discuss issues of religion, race, and sexism. Yes, she needs to get out of that abusive relationship immediately and I hope he gets restricted access to his son so the cycle of abuse doesn’t spread. But abusive men are everywhere, look at her own father. And anti-Black racism is everywhere, look at… really anywhere in the world. To reduce the situation to Muslim+Arab man in a world where that label is used to oppress, discriminate, and dole out war and violence is dangerous. The Arab world has a lot to work on, including women’s rights, LGBT rights, racism, and also colonialism, being bombed every other year, war, and so much more. Every. single. day is a struggle for us and this man, who happens to be a wealthy Arab Muslim does not represent us. In fact, he represents what the Western support for oppressive “allies” has resulted in.
The blatant Islamaphobia and anti-Arab rhetoric being espoused all over in regards to this relationship is so transparent and she has been playing it up hardcore. I don’t know anything about him ex and I don’t care to, he’s a non-entity in my mind, but it’s interesting that people are being completely dismissive of Janet’s abusive behavior that we all saw play out on camera with MJ’s kids. Not to mention the fervent and unending support she had for her brother, a man alleged to have been a serial sexual abuser of young children.
NO. Period. Saudi-Arabia is a country where women do not have legal status as human beings. You DO NOT get to scream ‘but what about x’ in a country where women legally enslaved. That DOES change the domestic violence situation.
@Thaliaghost Janet’s ex-husband is not from Saudi Arabia…
Off Topic: I watch Botched on E! all the time and many of those people can’t breath properly because of their nose jobs. How is she still managing to perform entire shows with that terrible nose?
i have that “terrible” nose naturally (white girl with tiny nose). I get by fine. XD
Naturally being the difference though…hers is altered meaning things have been removed and I”m sure you’re not doing concerts every night.
I just wondered
That video made me cry. Heartbreaking. Stay strong, Janet.
I don’t care for Randy. He was quite abusive to his own ex. Very horrible things he Did to that woman. It is interesting how for a lot of men it takes abuse happening to their own sisters or daughter’s for them to finally get it.
I feel for Janet. I am glad she got out of that horrible situation. I am also glad she is trying to rebuild.
She has been pushing this low-key racist narrative since she filed for divorce exactly 5 years after they were married. Gross.
It can happen to even the strongest amonst us, the most privileged, the wealthiest and healthiest. Women of colour face significantly higher risks of DV and internationally, 25% of women are abused for the first time while pregnant.
I hope Janet has found her safety, for herself and her baby, and it sounds like her family is supporting her as best they can. I’m very, very glad she has primary custody of her child, because that behaviour is not usually isolated.
@celebitchy hey boo 😉 Katherine Jackson, matriarch, is in no way 37, if Randy’s 55
1st off Michael Jackson was not convicted of the sexual abuse and 2nd I have a personal problem with people condemning people in the media or even people out of the media that have been found not guilty by the court. Are we as people higher than the court system if so why do we have a justice system.Why was there a trial? Because people are gonna believe what they want. Michael was already convicted by some before he went to trial.Everyone always bringing up Michael and Oj what about the Trayvon and Oscar Grants all over the world? As for Janet I can only say a prayer for her and hope if any of it is true that her and her baby are safe.
I truly believe Michael was innocent. Just a confused and lost soul that liked the company of kids. Adults weren’t in his level emotionally. Ian Halpern ‘ s book was great I read a few others. Sad to hear this about Janet.
I have no clue if any of this is true or not true; but I know my son’s father did not become emotionally abusive until well into my pregnancy. I mean, to the point of alienating me (temporarily) from friends and family, hacking me (he got me a computer as a “gift” hahahaha), cheating and, yes, eventually physical abuse. When I met him and we dated he was soft spoken and kind. Just the other day – and we rarely have contact anymore – he texted me to say he hoped I overdose on pills (I don’t do drugs lol). He wishes that probably about three times a year. So while I take this story with a grain of salt, it’s not unbelievable to me either.