The Jackson 5, one of the most iconic musical groups in history, captivated audiences worldwide with their electrifying performances and catchy tunes. From ABC to I’ll Be There, their string of hits helped launch Motown back to the top of the charts in the late ’60s and early ’70s. However, behind the glitz and glamour of their fame, there was a darker story—one filled with jealousy, betrayal, cruelty, and mistreatment, particularly from their own father, Joe Jackson.

The story of the Jackson 5 begins with a group of young, talented brothers—Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, and Michael—who grew up with a singular goal: to become stars. But what was not often discussed in public was the brutal way they were molded into entertainers by their father, Joe, whose controlling nature and harsh tactics were central to their rise to fame.

The Strain Between the Brothers: Jermaine’s Rivalry with Michael

As the Jackson 5 achieved success, tensions started to build, especially between Jermaine and Michael. Jermaine, the second eldest, initially enjoyed the limelight as the lead singer. But when Michael, with his exceptional talent for singing and dancing, took over as the frontman, the dynamics within the group began to shift.

By the mid-1970s, the Jackson 5 wanted more control over their music and royalties, leading to a major break when the group signed with Epic Records in 1975. However, Jermaine, who had married Hazel Gordy, the daughter of Motown’s founder, Barry Gordy, chose to stay with Motown. This caused a major rift in the group, and Jermaine’s absence was felt in the subsequent albums, which failed to recapture the group’s earlier success.

But the professional rivalry between Jermaine and Michael went beyond the music. In 1991, Jermaine released the single “Word to the Bad,” which many perceived as a diss track aimed at Michael, criticizing his plastic surgery and self-centered behavior. Jermaine claimed that the song was not meant as an attack but as a way to help Michael “get a grip on reality.” The song, however, seemed to stem from deeper personal frustrations, with sources close to the family suggesting that Jermaine was jealous of Michael’s success.

Family Tensions: Jealousy and Betrayal

The tension between the Jackson brothers escalated when Jermaine allegedly pursued his brother Randy’s girlfriend, Alejandra Oasa, behind his back. Randy and Alejandra had two children together, but Jermaine secretly married her in 1995, causing a permanent rift between the brothers. Jermaine’s relationship with Alejandra added to the growing resentment within the family.

While the brothers’ rivalry was intense, the real source of much of the Jacksons’ suffering came from their father, Joe Jackson. The brothers often spoke about the cruelty they endured at the hands of Joe, whose strict, authoritarian parenting style had lasting effects on their emotional well-being.

Joe Jackson’s Brutal Methods

Joe Jackson, despite his role in shaping the Jackson 5 into a global phenomenon, was known for his harsh and unforgiving treatment of his children. Jermaine, in his memoir You Were Not Alone: Michael Through a Brother’s Eyes, revealed the extent of Joe’s abusive tactics. The Jackson children were subjected to rigorous schedules, rehearsing for hours after school and performing late into the night. They had little to no time for childhood activities, and their weekends were spent traveling from one performance to the next.

In addition to the grueling work schedule, Joe’s physical abuse was notorious. Michael Jackson, in interviews later in life, recalled how his father would use belts, cords, or tree branches to punish the boys for perceived mistakes during rehearsals. Michael admitted that the fear of his father was so intense that it made him vomit before seeing him. The trauma of these experiences was something that stayed with Michael throughout his life, contributing to his insecurities and later, his obsession with plastic surgery.

The cruelty wasn’t limited to physical punishment. The Jackson children were never allowed to express affection towards their father, nor were they allowed to call him “Dad.” Instead, they were expected to refer to him as “Joseph.” Jermaine described how Joe would rarely show love or compassion, a stark contrast to the public persona he presented as the tough, demanding father.

Michael’s Struggles: The Legacy of Abuse

Michael’s relationship with his father was one of the most painful aspects of the Jackson family’s history. In interviews, he recounted how Joe would call him derogatory names, particularly mocking his appearance by calling him “big nose,” which contributed to Michael’s obsession with altering his facial features. Michael also revealed that Joe would physically assault him, even as an adult, chasing him around the house in fits of rage.

Latoya Jackson, Michael’s sister, was also open about the abuse they suffered. She confirmed Michael’s account of Joe’s violent behavior, describing how he would punch his grown sons, even when they were adults. The emotional scars left by Joe’s actions were profound, and the Jackson brothers, including Michael, continued to live in fear of him well into adulthood.

Michael himself opened up about the lasting effects of his father’s treatment. In a 2003 interview with Martin Bashir, Michael claimed that Joe had once stripped him naked and oiled him down before beating him, an act that Michael described as feeling like “dying.” These harrowing accounts paint a picture of a childhood marked by intense trauma and fear.

The Impact of a Lost Childhood

The Jacksons, particularly the younger siblings, were robbed of a normal childhood. They were thrust into the spotlight at an incredibly young age, forced to grow up fast in an environment of high expectations and harsh discipline. Michael’s struggles with his self-image and the physical and emotional abuse he endured throughout his life were a direct result of this traumatic upbringing.

The Jackson 5’s rise to fame was undoubtedly extraordinary, but it came at a significant personal cost. While the family enjoyed unparalleled success, they also endured profound pain. The jealousy, sabotage, and mistreatment within the family, coupled with Joe Jackson’s cruel methods, created an environment that shaped the lives of the Jackson brothers in ways that would have lasting effects.

The story of the Jackson 5 is not just one of musical greatness—it is also a story of survival and resilience in the face of unimaginable hardship. Their journey serves as a reminder of the complexities of fame, the toll it takes on those who achieve it, and the hidden struggles that often lie behind the public persona.