La Toya: Growing up in the Jackson Family
Encyclopedia
La Toya: Growing up in the Jackson Family is an autobiography
written by American singer La Toya Jackson
, and co-authored by celebrity biography author Patricia Romanowski. The book was originally released in 1991, around the same time as Jackson's seventh studio album No Relations.
In this autobiography, Jackson accuses her father, Joseph, of child abuse
, and goes into detail on the personal lives of her superstar siblings Michael
and Janet
as well as Jermaine
, Randy, Tito
, and Rebbie Jackson
's struggle under the spotlight. The Jackson family denied all of her allegations.
At the time the book was written, Jackson was married to her reportedly abusive
manager Jack Gordon, who she now accuses of inserting his own stories into her autobiography to embarrass her family and make her appear to be a "drama queen".
Jackson reunited with her family in the late 1990s after leaving Gordon. On her interview with Larry King
in 2003 she said that she respectfully accepted her father's apologies for the way he treated her and her siblings as children. The autobiography was re-issued under various titles throughout the 1990s. The original hardcover edition spent several weeks atop the New York Times Bestseller List.
In the weeks leading up to the release of the book, Gordon ordered that the transcript be kept in a high-security vault out of fear that the Jackson family would attempt to sabotage the project.
Autobiography
An autobiography is a book about the life of a person, written by that person.-Origin of the term:...
written by American singer La Toya Jackson
La Toya Jackson
La Toya Yvonne Jackson is an American singer-songwriter, musician, author, television personality, actress, businesswoman, philanthropist, activist and former model. She is the fifth child of the Jackson family...
, and co-authored by celebrity biography author Patricia Romanowski. The book was originally released in 1991, around the same time as Jackson's seventh studio album No Relations.
In this autobiography, Jackson accuses her father, Joseph, of child abuse
Child abuse
Child abuse is the physical, sexual, emotional mistreatment, or neglect of a child. In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Children And Families define child maltreatment as any act or series of acts of commission or omission by a parent or...
, and goes into detail on the personal lives of her superstar siblings Michael
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
and Janet
Janet Jackson
Janet Damita Jo Jackson is an American recording artist and actress. Known for a series of sonically innovative, socially conscious and sexually provocative records, as well as elaborate stage shows, television and film roles, she has been a prominent figure in popular culture for over 25 years...
as well as Jermaine
Jermaine Jackson
Jermaine La Jaune Jackson is an American singer, bassist, composer, a member of The Jackson 5, older brother of American pop stars Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson and occasional film director...
, Randy, Tito
Tito Jackson
Toriano Adaryll "Tito" Jackson is an American singer and lead guitarist and original member of The Jackson 5. He is the older brother of American pop stars Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson.-Early life and rise to stardom:...
, and Rebbie Jackson
Rebbie Jackson
Maureen Reillette "Rebbie" Brown is an American singer professionally known as Rebbie Jackson . Born and raised in Gary, Indiana, she is the eldest child of the Jackson family of musicians...
's struggle under the spotlight. The Jackson family denied all of her allegations.
At the time the book was written, Jackson was married to her reportedly abusive
Domestic violence
Domestic violence, also known as domestic abuse, spousal abuse, battering, family violence, and intimate partner violence , is broadly defined as a pattern of abusive behaviors by one or both partners in an intimate relationship such as marriage, dating, family, or cohabitation...
manager Jack Gordon, who she now accuses of inserting his own stories into her autobiography to embarrass her family and make her appear to be a "drama queen".
Jackson reunited with her family in the late 1990s after leaving Gordon. On her interview with Larry King
Larry King
Lawrence Harvey "Larry" King is an American television and radio host whose work has been recognized with awards including two Peabodys and ten Cable ACE Awards....
in 2003 she said that she respectfully accepted her father's apologies for the way he treated her and her siblings as children. The autobiography was re-issued under various titles throughout the 1990s. The original hardcover edition spent several weeks atop the New York Times Bestseller List.
In the weeks leading up to the release of the book, Gordon ordered that the transcript be kept in a high-security vault out of fear that the Jackson family would attempt to sabotage the project.