Who is Janet Jackson's ex-husband James DeBarge?

JANET Jackson married ex James DeBarge in 1984 but annulled the marriage a year later over her husband's alleged raging drug habit.

The star has been married three different times but her marriage with DeBarge was the shortest.

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Who is Janet Jackson's ex-husband James DeBarge?

Janet Jackson's first marriage was to American R&B and soul singer James Curtis DeBarge.

DeBarge is known for his work with his family's band DeBarge, which became famous in the mid-1980s following the release of the songs All This Love, Love Me In A Special Way, Rhythm Of The Night, and Who's Holding Donna Now.

Their relationship continued to make headlines decades after their split due to rumors the pair had a secret child together, which the singer flatly denies.

DeBarge is now a father of three and was arrested in 2012 for drug charges as well as assault with a deadly weapon and spent three years behind bars, according to Hollywood Life.

When did James DeBarge and Janet Jackson get married?

Jackson and DeBarge eloped in 1984 but got divorced shortly after in 1985.

They married when DeBarge was 21 and Jackson was just 18 but had been dating two years prior to tying the knot.

According to Hollywood Life, the marriage was seen as an act of rebellion against Jackson's controlling father, the late Joe Jackson.

Why did Janet Jackson and James DeBarge divorce?

The pair had their marriage annulled in 1985 due to DeBarge's alleged drug addiction.

In a new documentary, Jackson recalled being left alone at a hotel for three hours right after getting married to DeBarge.

In the docuseries, Jackson recounted: "He said, 'Okay, I'll be right back.'

"And I'm sitting in a hotel room in Grand Rapids, Michigan, by myself, just 18. And for three hours, he never came back."

DeBarge joked during his appearance: "I don't know why anyone would trust me.

"I just had to be with her all the time.

"I think we were just so both in love with each other that we just needed to block everyone else out."