The Untold Story of Bunny DeBarge – Her Daughter’s Shocking Revelation

Bunny DeBarge, the only female member of the legendary family group DeBarge, has lived a life filled with fame, struggles, and heartbreaking personal battles. Behind her angelic voice and the timeless hits she helped create, a darker story has been unfolding—one of family turmoil, addiction, and painful childhood memories. Now, her daughter is revealing shocking details about Bunny’s struggles, exposing the deep scars left by her past.

The Rise of Bunny DeBarge and the Family’s Musical Legacy

Born on March 10, 1955, in Detroit, Michigan, Bunny DeBarge was part of a musically gifted family. After her parents’ divorce in 1974, she and her siblings moved with their mother to Grand Rapids, Michigan. Music ran in their blood, and their older brother, Bobby DeBarge, had already found success with the group Switch. Inspired by his achievements, Bunny, along with her brothers El, James, Randy, and Mark, formed DeBarge.

With Bobby’s help, the group landed a deal with Motown in 1980 and quickly rose to fame with hits like A Dream, Rhythm of the Night, and All This Love. Bunny’s distinct, soft vocals added a unique charm to the group, making her an essential part of their signature sound. However, behind the glamorous image of success, deep-rooted family issues and personal struggles threatened to tear them apart.

A Childhood of Pain and Trauma

The DeBarge family’s journey to stardom was overshadowed by a painful past. Bunny and her siblings endured a traumatic childhood, mostly due to their father, Robert DeBarge Sr., a military veteran of French and English descent. Bunny and her brothers later revealed that Robert was abusive—physically, emotionally, and even s3xually.

Bunny once admitted in an interview, “My father was very abusive in every way—physically, sexually, and mentally.” The scars of this abuse ran deep, setting the stage for the struggles that would follow her and her siblings into adulthood.

The pain didn’t end with childhood. Even as DeBarge found fame, the trauma they had endured manifested in self-destructive behavior. Bunny and many of her brothers turned to drugs to cope with their emotional wounds.

The Descent Into Addiction

Despite being at the peak of her career, Bunny found herself spiraling into addiction. She admitted that the family’s deep-rooted pain led them to drugs, saying, “We used drugs to medicate.”

Her brother, El DeBarge, the most famous member of the group, struggled with addiction as well. His battles with substance abuse derailed his career, leading to multiple stints in rehab and even prison time. Other family members, including Bobby, also suffered from addiction-related problems.

Bunny eventually left DeBarge and attempted to start a solo career. However, her music didn’t reach the same level of success, and she found herself struggling personally and professionally.

Bunny’s Daughter Speaks Out

Now, Bunny’s daughter, Jana, is shedding light on the reality of growing up with a mother battling addiction. According to Jana, her childhood was filled with chaos, instability, and moments where she had to step up and take care of her own mother.

Jana recalled a particularly painful memory: “My mom was obsessed with me one day. She wanted me to take her to get drugs, and when I refused, she became furious.” She also revealed that Bunny was often absent—not physically, but emotionally—because of her struggles.

Jana also spoke about the dysfunction in the DeBarge family, saying that sibling rivalries, unresolved trauma, and addiction created a toxic environment. “There was always a lot of arguing, a lot of old wounds coming back,” she explained.

Despite everything, Jana expressed deep love for her mother and a desire to see her heal. In a heartfelt moment, she told Bunny, “I don’t care about the past. I only care about your future. You were the best mom you could be, and I wouldn’t want anyone else.”

A Journey Toward Healing

After years of struggling with addiction, Bunny eventually sought help and completed rehab. She found solace in her faith, embraced spirituality, and focused on rebuilding her life. In an interview, she reflected on her time in rehab, saying, “It was a lot of love there. Clean was a beautiful place. It was hard, but I’m working on it.”

Part of Bunny’s healing process involved making peace with her father. She revealed that before he passed away, he apologized to her. “My father has apologized to me. I don’t know if he’s done that with my brothers, but I know he has with me,” she shared.

The Tragic Loss of Bobby DeBarge

One of the biggest tragedies in the DeBarge family was the loss of Bobby, Bunny’s older brother and former lead singer of Switch. Bobby, who also struggled with addiction, was sentenced to prison for drug trafficking. While serving time, he was diagnosed with AIDS and passed away in 1995.

His death left a deep scar on the family, especially Bunny, who feared losing more of her siblings to addiction.

The Secret Child Scandal with Janet Jackson

Bunny was also linked to one of the biggest rumors in entertainment history—the alleged secret child between her brother, James DeBarge, and pop icon Janet Jackson.

James and Janet were secretly married in 1984, but the marriage ended a year later. For decades, rumors persisted that Janet had given birth to a child and kept it hidden. Bunny herself once believed the rumors, but in recent years, she publicly apologized for contributing to the speculation, stating, “She’s not James and Janet’s daughter. That was a mistake.”

Bunny DeBarge’s Legacy

Despite all the hardships, scandals, and personal battles, Bunny DeBarge remains an unforgettable figure in the music industry. Her contributions to DeBarge’s success helped shape R&B in the 1980s, and her voice is still recognized as one of the most beautiful in the genre.

Although she has struggled, she continues to share her story in hopes of inspiring others to overcome their own battles. Today, she is deeply involved in her faith and focuses on spreading messages of healing, forgiveness, and redemption.

Bunny DeBarge’s story is one of talent, pain, and resilience. She may always be remembered for both the beauty of her music and the struggles that defined her life, but one thing is clear—she is still standing.