Janet Jackson has remained mum about her split from Wissam Al Mana, but hit headlines last week when she broke down performing ‘What About’ – a song about abuse – during the Houston stop of her ‘State Of The World Tour.’
Now, in an unexpected move, her brother Randy has opened up in a new interview about the “verbal abuse” she allegedly received at the hands of her ex. He paints the picture of a painful home experience for the diva.
See what he had to say below…
Speaking to PEOPLE, Randy said:
“There’s a lot of pain. Janet’s been through a lot with her divorce. I’ve been through a lot, we all have.
It was quite an abusive situation. 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.
I told [Janet], ‘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.’
What you saw in Houston, it was her situation coming out, what she’s been going through. [Moreover] the abuse is still going on. 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.”
55-year-old Randy also revealed that the Jackson family are rallying around Janet, who is the youngest:
“I didn’t want [the] to know. My parents are up there in age so I wanted to protect them as much as possible, but now they know. Everybody in the family knows.”
He also refutes claims that religion played a role in the couple’s split. Contrary to reports about conversion to Islam, he asserts that Janet is a Christian. However, religious differences aren’t the problem, he says:
“I have a lot of Muslim friends and they don’t act that way at all. It’s a personal issue that he needs help with and I’m going to pray for him, too. But I’m not going to allow her to live in that abusive situation. She’s my baby sister.”
As for why he decided to speak up and out, Randy said:
“It’s not about anger or vengeance. [Janet “wants Eissa to have a mother and a father. But the couple’s issues have grown too large.] We don’t like to put our business out there but sometimes transparency helps you. The devil thrives in darkness. I’m just here supporting her through this time.”
Attorneys for Wissam said in a rebuttal statement:
“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.”
Wow, all round.
![Songwriters Hall of Fame 2025: Janet Jackson, Eminem, N.W.A., & Rodney Jerkins Nominated [Full List]](https://thatgrapejuice.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/janet-jackson-eminem-nwa-songwriters-hall-fame-tgj-464x260.jpg "Songwriters Hall of Fame 2025: Janet Jackson, Eminem, N.W.A., & Rodney Jerkins Nominated [Full List].")
All types of abuse is horrible, but at least Janet is now single and I’m sure she will find another man.
She lies… 🙁
Of course, she wants her daughter to remain the US.
This Jackson family is a hoax.
anything for attentions, huh?
Of course the abuse after she got millions from the settlement. Mariah tried also but failed.
Gurl, bye!!! ??
screaammminggg lol
gurl..hello, at least i got a dimond ring… not bruises dahhlingggs.
I dont believe this ?. Everyone knows her comeback is a FLOP.
Call it a day, Momma.
Janet does not have to “comeback”. She is a living legend just like Madonna, Beyonce, and Mariah. It is never a comeback when you are a living legend and have hits and fans for days. New artists wish they could be on these legends’ level and have their kind of net worth.
I smell a custody battle coming soon. ???
She just want her toddler to live in the States and I saw this coming. If she spills the bean, it would be too obvious. Let Randy do the talk.
This family is forever telling their “problems” to the media. *sigh*
Where is Daniel Inyam? He is on every Janet post.
I’m here & what would anyone expect from a Jackson to say something to be seen online?!! ✌??
I don’t believe it. Of course… after a couple million bucks later that she got from the settlement.
Mariah tried too but failed. 😆
Anything for a publicit after she saw empty seats at her concert. ?
to get the custody…..everyone knows their strategy. lame!
The Jacksons were trailblazers and pioneers in exposing some of their reality to the media to gain attention, popularity, and interest decades before the age of social media and the Kartrashians’ style of reality tv. Back in the 80s Latoya was spilling tea left and right about her family only to be exposed for her lies by Janet spilling family tea in the late 80s and 90s. Nothing is wrong with a celebrity doing that. In fact, that is quite the norm now with these reality shows. The Jacksons were just some of the first to ever do it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGZiwUVq99w
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gf08cX6gLZU
It would come as no surprise if true. We knew Janet was being controlled when she started covering up in thick layers.
She is a grown up woman. She should anticipate that. Dont agree and complain later. She is a one dumb diva!
There is nothing wrong with a wife wanting to be submissive to her husband. When a wife is submissive it does not mean she is “dumb”. The problem comes when the husband is abusive to the loving wife.
Right here…Tea spilled! You’re 100% correct
Janet is a fool. Nobody was pointing a gun asking her to wear hijab. Plus, she was married to an Arab guy not Kanye West. Fools!!!
What is wrong with wearing hijab? The issue is abuse not outfits.
I’m glad Janet left this situation behind! People often take advantage of goodhearted people, willing to make sacrifices for their relationships! It’s sad when that’s not appreciated! Janet always seems to be the loyal, dedicated type that will compromise certain things for a partner! You should only be willing to do that for someone special that’s also willing to do the same for you! This world is full of takers, users and abusers and these selfish people are often slow to realize what they have until it’s lost… and too late! Once a bish like Janet wakes up, she’s done!
Smh. WIssam looked controlling. Glad she left him
I kinda agree with that 2nd comment… This family is always telling their personal business to the world.
La Toya Yvonne Jackson is the main one chile……lol
LOL True LaToya was spilling tea left and right about the family for attention:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGZiwUVq99w
Gil, the creative director of her tour Just CONFIRMED the story on his twitter account.
I don’t know if I believe that this family are a bunch of s****. They go through significant others like my family go through biscuits on Thanksgiving.
I think it is quite natural to not believe everything about the Jacksons. Even Janet has lied in several interviews in the past, especially when she was asked about marriage in the 90s and she was already secretly married the entire time.
Janet, just let me know when you want me to get Pookie and them hunnie lol…like Auntie Teri did on Soul Food
Just going to say be the best women and mother Queen and be your true self again with no one holding you down or trying to change you with disrespect/verbal abuse. SOTW masterpiece!!!
So I was right about what was happening but her fans were telling me, ? you racist ignorant, etc…sometimes is hard to accept the truth, they are kind of embarrassing by this news, I wonder why, this is not something to be ashamed of, people are so superficial thinking that pop stars lives are perfect that they cannot imagine them suffering from normal people problems like this.
Oh we still think you’re racist and ignorant boo…Don’t get it twisted. Bye
The reason people said you were a racist is because you have brought up Janet’s ex’s race and religion more than once. Abusive men come in all shapes, sizes, races and belief systems
She deserved it. What do expect when you became a gold digger???
A public sympathy to sell tickets. Nice try tho ?
stop this nonsense. your sister sold her p**** to a rich arab guy. whose fault is that?
She is not very smart! Maybe 3rd time she would be lucky when she realizes being an old gold digger is not worth it. Time to hang her coat!
I agree with one of the comments. She wants her child to live in the US.
She needs to generate publicity cause her tickets are not selling. lol
You just served that Earl Grey true tea lol ☕️
maybe people are tired of janet jackson not being honest about she has a child with james debarge or maybe not but janet should correct that and finally put it to sleep if it not true, since jamess debarge says its true, and i knew janets concerts would be empty, she has a baby now and no one wants to see baby fat ????