We all know that James Debarge -of the legendary group, Debarge- has some deep history with the Jackson family. He was married to Janet in the 80’s and still to this day, believes he has a child out there somewhere that Janet never told him about. But this article is not about the never ending saga of the mysterious kid James has made headlines for in recent years. It’s about Janet’s beloved brother, Michael Jackson, and the heroic actions he took when James tried to kill himself…on multiple occasions… *Scroll down to watch James’ explain this*

Back in the day, most of never knew just how cool MJ was with James, but it turns out, they were pretty close. So close that Michael was the only person who James trusted enough to help him when he felt like his life and the tumultuous events that stem from his childhood and beyond were just too much to bear.

“He seemed to be familiar with my pain” – James Debarge on MJ

If y’all missed their episode on Dr. Drew a few years ago, then you missed several of the Debarge siblings- James, Randy and Bunny- discussing their long-standing drug addictions. James, who was still on drugs at that time, (as were his siblings as well, but Bunny is now sober) revealed that MJ saved his life when everyone else around him was panicking, including his mother, Etterlene Debarge, Janet and she and MJ’s sister, Latoya.

James described how he was standing on the edge of a roof about to jump, when the family spotted him and he says the only one who remained calm throughout the hysterical ordeal, was MJ. James also said that MJ always had a way of remaining level headed under moments of intense, chaotic drama and that’s something he needed and will forever miss about his ex-brother-in-law. Check out the video clip below to see the heroic details James broke down about that terrifying moment and how MJ eventually got him off 0f the roof and to safety.

You just never know what a person is made of until they’re placed in situations like the one MJ was placed in. Thank goodness MJ was there for James that day, because we could have very well have been writing this article about the day James Debarge jumped and killed himself…something we would have dreaded having to report.

Debarge Biopic In The Works

Unfortunately James and several of his ten siblings have been to hell and back throughout their lives, and it all stemmed from their days as biracial children growing up in a a rough section of Detroit, MI, in a home where several of them abused by their White father. That’s a whole ‘nother topic for another day, with many layers to unpack within it. So for now, we’ll simply leave you with the details about TV One’s upcoming Debarge biopic. Given the backgrounds of the Debarge siblings, this biopic will probably be a rollercoaster ride of highs and lows, cheers and tears. See the network’s statement below:

Premiere: Fall 2018
This original film focuses on the story of the DeBarge family, one of the most popular family groups in American music history, as told by the family matriarch, Etterlene Abney. After her marriage and family with Robert DeBarge, a handsome white soldier, goes through a turbulent unraveling, she relocates her children to Illinois. The children begin singing in her brother’s church. Two of the brothers record a demo tape that, with the help of Jermaine Jackson, falls into the hands of Motown founder Berry Gordy – and the rest is history. DeBarge is a story whose tale is woven with music, fame and success, romance, drugs, sibling rivalry – and bonded by the glue of Abney’s love that strains to keep them all together.

Debarge Classic: “Time Will Reveal”