La Toya Jackson

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

La Toya's early life was defined by a strict religious upbringing; after her mother joined the Jehovah's Witnesses in 1966, La Toya and her siblings followed. She spent time preaching door-to-door alongside Michael, recalling, "Every morning, Michael and I witnessed, knocking on doors around Los Angeles, spreading the word of Jehovah." By 1974, at age seventeen, she joined her brothers for tap dancing routines in Las Vegas under their father's tutelage, though she had initially attended college to study business law. A significant turning point occurred during the filming of The Wiz in 1977, when she traveled with Michael to New York to share an apartment. This was the first time either lived as adults away from home, though they would not move out of the family's Encino residence until ages 29 and 31 respectively. During this era, she dated Bobby DeBarge, who is rumored to have inspired Switch's 1979 hit "I Call Your Name," and also dated Chico Ross.

In Their Own Story

In March 1989, La Toya posed topless for Playboy magazine, viewing it as a declaration of independence from her conservative upbringing. She stated, "To show my parents they couldn't dictate to me any more—that I control my life." That same year, she staged the live pay-per-view concert A Sizzling Spectacular! at Bally's theatre in Reno, featuring guest star Edgar Winter. On September 5, 1989, after this concert, she married manager Jack Gordon. La Toya later claimed the marriage was unplanned and against her wishes, telling Ebony magazine it was "strictly in name only" and never consummated. She recounted asking for an annulment six months into the marriage while in Rome, Italy, to which Gordon allegedly responded by repeatedly bashing her head against a hotel room table corner, saying he would never let her go. This period marked a stormy exit from her family's Encino compound as she moved to New York City, distancing herself under Gordon's management.

Reader's Guide

La Toya Jackson's career is anchored in specific musical milestones and chart performances. Her debut album peaked at number 116 on the US Billboard 200 and number 26 on the R&B chart. The 1984 single "Heart Don't Lie" became her biggest Billboard Hot 100 hit, peaking at number 56. Other notable singles include "Night Time Lover," produced by Michael Jackson who also provided backing vocals; "If You Feel the Funk"; "Bet'cha Gonna Need My Lovin'"; and "Hot Potato." She co-wrote "Reggae Night" for the Heart Don't Lie album, which was recorded as a hit by Jimmy Cliff. In 1985, her single "Baby Sister" won an Outstanding Song Award at the World Popular Song Festival in Japan. Her song "Just Say No," from her fifth album, was composed specifically for First Lady Nancy Reagan and the Reagan administration's anti-drug campaign. Later in her career, she returned to the industry in 2004 with singles "Just Wanna Dance," "Home," and "Free the World," which found success on the Hot Dance Club Play chart.

Did You Know?

• La Toya was born on her sister Rebbie's 6th birthday.
• The opening scream for The Jacksons' 1980 hit "This Place Hotel" is widely attributed to Michael Jackson, not La Toya.
• The backing vocals on Michael's 1983 song "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" were performed by Janet Jackson and others, not La Toya.
• In 1984, she licensed her name to a fashion line called "David Laurenz for La Toya," which featured signature leather headbands.
• She starred in the revue Formidable at the Moulin Rouge in Paris starting in 1992.