For decades, the Jackson family has held many secrets, but none have been as surprising as Joe Jackson’s hidden daughter, Joanni. Long kept from the public eye, Joanni has finally decided to share her story, shedding light on her experiences growing up in the shadow of one of the most famous families in the world.

Early Life and Family Secrets

While the Jackson 5 rose to fame in the 1970s, Joe Jackson, the family patriarch, was leading a double life. During this time, he met Cheryl Terell, who would become his mistress and the mother of Joanni Jackson, born in 1974. Cheryl worked for the Los Angeles Police Department, where they first met at a holiday party. Despite their relationship, Joe managed to keep Cheryl and Joanni a secret from his wife, Katherine, and the rest of his family, even as he actively participated in raising Joanni.

Katherine considered divorce more than once due to Joe’s infidelities but ultimately remained in the marriage, influenced by her religious convictions. Despite these tensions, Joe continued to visit Joanni frequently, bringing gifts and spending time with her, all while maintaining secrecy.

A Double Life

Joe was deeply involved in Joanni’s life, regularly visiting her and her mother, Cheryl. Joanni remembers her father fondly, recalling how he would cook with her, tend a vegetable garden together, and go fishing on weekends.

Joe’s secret trips allowed him to maintain a close relationship with Joanni, which was much warmer than his notoriously strict treatment of his other children. However, the secrecy meant that Joanni missed out on a normal childhood, as Joe imposed many restrictions to keep his double life hidden.

Despite Joe’s constant presence, Joanni’s upbringing was still fraught with challenges. The clandestine nature of their relationship meant that she wasn’t allowed to have friends over, and they avoided public places to prevent any public sightings. These limitations, while intended to shield Joe’s marriage from scandal, isolated Joanni and created a sense of loneliness that would persist into adulthood.

Attempts to Connect with Her Family

Joanni grew up knowing she was part of the Jackson family, aware that Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson were her siblings, yet always feeling like an outsider. When she was 11, Cheryl told her the full truth, and Joanni would later try to connect with the Jacksons on multiple occasions. However, her attempts were often met with indifference or rejection. When her mother passed away in 2014, only Katherine and Rebbie reached out to her, while other siblings kept their distance.

Meeting Michael for the first time in 2003 at Neverland Ranch, Joanni had hoped for a warm reception, but he remained distant, showing more interest in her daughter than in his half-sister. For Joanni, the meeting underscored the deep divide between herself and her siblings, a rejection that would continue to impact her.

An Estranged Relationship with the Jacksons

Growing up, Joanni was taunted and bullied at school because of her family ties, yet her famous relatives showed little inclination to connect with her. She attended some of her siblings’ concerts but always felt like an outsider, never given the same level of attention or affection as her siblings.

Her relationship with her mother was complex, as Cheryl stayed loyal to Joe for many years despite the nature of their relationship. However, when Joanni was in her 20s, Cheryl eventually ended things, tired of being second to Katherine. Joanni reflects on her mother’s choices without judgment, noting that people make mistakes and that her mother’s love for Joe kept her trapped in a difficult situation.

Complicated Ties and Final Reflections

Today, Joanni lives in Las Vegas with her daughter, Yasmin, but still wrestles with the emotional impact of her complicated family history. She expresses a longing for a connection with her siblings, especially Michael, who passed away in 2009, but she remains realistic about her place in the family. Despite everything, Joanni cherishes the close bond she shares with Rebbie and, to a lesser degree, Tito, while continuing to keep the door open for her other siblings if they ever choose to connect.

Joanni’s story, detailed in her recent book, offers a perspective on fame, family, and the human costs of secrecy and betrayal. She hopes to correct misunderstandings about her motives, insisting that she only wants to share her truth and be acknowledged as part of the Jackson family.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HUE13fWuLc