Can you see the family resemblance? Meet Rebbie Jackson, the normal sister
She normally lets her more famous siblings take the limelight, but the ‘other Jackson’ made a rare appearance on U.S. TV yesterday.
And although the family resemblance was obvious it was clear Rebbie, the oldest of the ten Jackson children, has indulged in fewer visits to the plastic surgeon than some of her more famous siblings.
The 59-year-old, born Maureen Reillette, was appearing on TV to talk about her younger brother Michael’s three children whom she lived with immediately after his death.
Although not seen often in public now, Rebbie was a child star like her brothers, beginning her singing career in 1974 and performing with them in their groundbreaking Las Vegas shows .
The brothers were the main draws, with herself, Randy, Janet and La Toya serving as ‘fillers’ for the performances.
When The Jackson 5 parted with their record label Motown in 1976, they rebranded themselves as The Jacksons.
The brothers also signed a TV contract to star with their family in a variety series in 1976. All the brothers and sisters, excluding Jermaine who had chosen to stay with Motown, starred in the show.
She went on to have three children of her own, daughters Stacee and Yashi, and son Austin. They were born following her marriage to childhood sweetheart Nathaniel Brown in 1968, when she was just 18.
But the union split her family with her mother Katherine supporting it and her controlling father Joe refusimg to walk her down the aisle.
As the oldest of children, he hoped Rebbie would have a career in the music industry, like her brothers who formed The Jackson 5.
Rebbie actually did go on to become a professional recording artist and was also a backing singer with The Emotions and Sonny Bono among other stars.
She later released a solo album Centipede in 1984, followed by Reaction and R U Tuff Enuff.
Rebbie yesterday told NCS’s Today Show Michael’s sons Prince Michael, Paris and Blanket were ‘stable’ and ‘doing fine.’
She was asked if their father’s death had forced the children to grow up quicker.
‘Yes and no,’ she said. ‘You are right, it can force them to grow up quicker as they are without their father.’
‘But they are with family members, they are insulated, surrounded by a lot of cousins, I think it is helping them to be stable.
