Jermaine Jackson on Jealousy, Rivalry & Growing Up With Michael

Growing up in a small house in Gary, Indiana, Jermaine Jackson and his siblings lived a modest life that laid the foundation for the legendary Jackson 5. Sharing one bathroom and sleeping in cramped bunk beds, the brothers developed a bond that would later fuel their musical success. Jermaine recalls moments from their childhood, like Michael dancing to the beat of a noisy washing machine as a toddler, already showing signs of his innate rhythm.

The Jackson family’s musical journey began when Tito, caught secretly playing their father’s guitar, impressed their father enough to spark a family band. Initially, Jermaine was the lead singer, but Michael’s natural talent soon became impossible to ignore. Influenced by icons like James Brown, Jackie Wilson, and Sammy Davis Jr., Michael’s ability to mimic and master performances propelled him to the front.

Jermaine credits their parents, especially their father, for instilling discipline, a strong work ethic, and a sense of responsibility from an early age. Rehearsals were strict, with their father enforcing high standards, often through harsh discipline. Jermaine acknowledges that, while difficult, this upbringing kept them grounded and prepared them for fame.

Reflecting on the Jackson 5 era, Jermaine expresses a deep fondness for the bond he shared with his brothers, especially Michael. He remembers the fun they had before shows — ordering all the food they could, playing around, and simply enjoying being young. Those years were the foundation for the successes that would follow.

However, as Michael’s solo career exploded with albums like Thriller, the brothers grew apart. Jermaine admits there were times he hardly saw Michael — maybe three times a year between 1984 and 1992 — despite sending letters and gifts. It wasn’t bitterness that divided them, Jermaine insists, but the isolating nature of fame, with outsiders pulling Michael away from his family.

Addressing rumors of jealousy, particularly La Toya Jackson’s claims that he was envious of Michael’s success, Jermaine firmly denies it. He reminds the world that the Jackson 5’s early achievements paved the way for Michael and Janet’s later solo stardom. “Every song Michael sang on, I sang on,” he says, emphasizing the collective effort behind their family’s rise.

Jermaine believes that no amount of fame should separate family. He discusses how important it was — and still is — to remind Michael of their roots. “We are Gary, Indiana,” Jermaine says, stressing that the bond they shared before success mattered more than any awards or money.

The Jackson family’s story, according to Jermaine, is one of resilience. Using the parable their father taught them, he explains that together they are unbreakable like a bundle of sticks, but alone they are vulnerable. Even though business and fame scattered them, the emotional connection remains strong. “If I have a beef with Michael, it’s like any brothers — it blows up, but it’s love.”

Jermaine’s reflections paint a picture of a family bound tightly by love, ambition, hardship, and shared dreams — a reminder that behind the glittering success of the Jacksons is a deeply human story of unity and survival.