Janet Jackson: We Knew About Michael's Drug Problem

By PopEater Staff Posted Nov 18th 2009 10:41AM

In an interview with ABC's Robin Roberts, Janet Jackson opens up about her late brother Michael Jackson's death, and how the family tried to help the King of Pop through his drug addiction.

"Of course, that's what you do. Those are the things that you do when you love someone. You can't just let them continue on that way. And we did a few times. We weren't very successful," she tells Roberts about trying interventions with Michael.

The singer also discusses her relationships, as well as how work was her savior after her brother died.

Michael understood why his family would intervene: "How do I say this? Understanding. I guess that will be the best way to -- understood that it was out of love, because of caring. But when it's something like that, people can tend to be in denial."

Was Michael in denial? "I wish he could answer this question for you and not me. I felt that he was in denial."

Janet knew ultimately he would have to help himself: "You can't make 'em drink the water. ... I'm a true believer in prayer, a big believer in prayer -- but it's, it's something that you can't do for them. Something they have to do for themselves."

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Ms. Jackson Snapshots

©AXELLE/BAUER-GRIFFIN.COM Janet Jackson celebrates the release of her new album "Number Ones" with her fans. The Grove, Los Angeles, CA. November 14, 2009. Job: 91114A2. www.bauergriffin.com www.bauergriffinonline.com

AXELLE/BAUER-GRIFFIN.COM

Janet Snapshots

FILE - In this Sept. 28, 2009 file photo, Janet Jackson arrives for the amfAR charity dinner during the fashion week in Milan, Italy. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni, file)

FILE - In this July 7, 2009 file photo, Janet Jackson comforts her niece Paris Jackson as LaToya Jackson, left, looks on at the memorial service for Michael Jackson at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Janet Jackson blames Dr. Conrad Murray for her brother Michael's death. She told ABC News in an interview that Murray should no longer be allowed to practice medicine. Murray faces manslaughter charges for the pop star's death this summer. (AP Photo/Gabriel Bouys, Pool, File)

AXELLE/BAUER-GRIFFIN.COM

She believes Dr. Conrad Murray should be held responsible for her brother's death: "He was the one that was administering. I think he is responsible."

Trying to help Michael with his addiction was like trying to help her first husband, James DeBarge, with his: "It kinda goes back to my first relationship, something that you have to want. ... it's something they have to want."

She married DeBarge for rebellious reasons: "I wanted to be on my own and get out of the house. We were the kind of kids that -- we -- obeyed our parents, really obeyed our parents. If they said no, you don't ask why. You just understand that it's no."

Has Death Wiped Clean Michael Jackson's Sins?

His drug issues led to the breakup of their marriage: "He was my first love and very much so. And there was a lot going on in our relationship, a lot going on with him, I should say. And -- just being so young and not really -- not really knowing what life is really all about, just beginning to explore life and wanting to -- help him, thinking I could change him, if I only could do this and that, and not realizing that it was something that he had to do and want for himself."

She's not married to Jermaine Dupri: "I know people thought we were. ... I just heard that today. Someone said to me, or just yesterday, someone said, 'You engaged,' and I said, 'Who am I engaged to?' And they said to Jermaine. I said, 'Oh, I am?'"

In fact, they split up: "I adore him. Absolutely adore Jermaine. Love him to death and we're still very good friends to this day. Very good friends, but that's all I'll say."

Going back to work helped: "I needed to get back to work. It helped me get through it. I was able to put a lot of my focus someplace else."

Janet Has a Daughter? Debunking the Rumors

Tags: janet jackson, JanetJackson, michael jackson, MichaelJackson, robin roberts, RobinRoberts

Comments

(218)

Thursday 19 November

By P Slater

Vote down Vote up Report this

What rock did you crawl out from under?

Go back into your cave, you are a troll! Also a waste of oxygen.

By theresa

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

I totally agree with Janet. You can lead the horse to the water but can not make him drink it.

By sarabootsie

wanna watch these below?
go to MoviesWatch dot info
- 2012
- A Christmas Carol
- This Is It(Michael Jackson Movie)
- The Box
- The Fourth kind
- A Christmas Carol
- The Men Who Stare At Goats
- Saw VI
- Paranormal Activity
- Where The Wild Things Are
- Couples Retreat
- Law Abiding Citizen
- Couples Retreat
- Zombieland way more!
go to MoviesWatch dot info

Sunday 22 November

By bev

Michael Jackson started his career off great but like many other singers and dancers he hit bottom. HE decided to take the wrong road and paid with his life. Take a while to be addicted to pain killers and the first few times he took them it was him that decided to continue taking them beyond the time frame he was suppose to. They say he was a good Father = bull how can you be a good Father when you are on drugs all the time. They say he was the king of pop = bull he sang and danced couldn't write any music and couldn't play one single instrument = just another singer and dancer. Now, is Janet getting enough mileage out of talking about her brother non stop lately. When is the court system going to see that keeping those kids are the grandmother also keeps them around pathetic joe. Grandmother keeps Joe around she must be something like him = get those kids out of there. So what we have is a drugged kid who passes, kids left with money grubbing people and a sister that is keeping in the media by using her brother's death.

Friday 20 November

By Cynthia

didnt write any music? are you insane? michael wrote most of his music and yes he did play instruments. wow.

Tuesday 24 November

By Tell It Like It Is

To bev,
You obviously do not have a clue about what you are saying. It is QUITE obvious.

By J.L Webb

Hmmmmm,...doesnt say if the family knew he was addicted to young children.

To J.L Webb,
King Michael did alot to help children, particularly catered to sick ones. Nothing sexual,which is why no mention needed. Please gather facts,forgo fiction.

By Joe

Low Ranked Vote down Vote up Report this

Who cares ? The freaky child molester is dead due to his own bullcrap. Dont try to make a God of the Devil.
He was disgusting...........may he rot in Hell

Michael Jackson was not a child molester. Maybe you should do research before stuff flies out of your mouth.

To Joe,
He was a musical god, KING OF POP! No molester.

By BEV

LET THE MAN R.I.P

By laprns

I find it odd that even though he was a practicing addict, he "accidentally" overdosed the very morning his estranged father showed up on his doorstep. While his father was there and he was still sleeping he gave himself a lethal injection. Then the same father called all the family there to gather what they wanted before emergency personnel was summoned. They even waited for LaToya (who Michael held in contempt) to get there from Vegas to loot his home before they called an ambulance.

By solomeeo

OH WHO CARES!!!

To solomeeo,
King Michael's MILLIONS of loving and eternally devoted fans care.

By jim

MJ's dead, holy crap.

By Mark Greene

Janet, why not just admit the truth and tell everyone how your Jehovah's Witness upbringing ruined your family. Those JW's sure take away a kid's fun. Michael's Neverland ranch was an attempt to restore the childhood he never had. May he rest in peace.

By peggy shively

the whole family acted like they are
goody goody two shoe
BUT THE WHOLE FAMILY IS NOTHING BUT A NUT HOUSE

To peggy,
And what of your family?

By Dana

I love MJ.

He is not only a great artist but also a so kind person.That's most important.

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