Debarge family abuse. So it is with the DeBarge family, from parents on down. But Bunny and her family struggled with dysfunction and drug abuse among their successes. (1932–2009), a White American soldier of French and English descent born in Cicero, Illinois. The DeBarges are a big family. Early life DeBarge was born to Etterlene (née Abney) and Army soldier Robert DeBarge Sr. She is also best known as the lead vocalist behind the classic R&B ballad, "A Dream" from the group's In a Special Way album and is also the co-writer of the group's 1982 breakthrough hit, "I Like It" and the The DeBarge Family’s Struggle Premiering on TV One, The Bobby DeBarge Story dives into the life of Bobby DeBarge, the lead singer of the 1970s R&B/Funk band Switch and the eldest sibling of the renowned pop group DeBarge. El’s parents split when he was 13 after a rough and stormy marriage. Dr. The musical group's biggest success was the 1985 hit "Rhythm of the Night," but the personal lives of the DeBarges have been defined by discord. Janae tells Drew a horrifying story of what her mother's addiction drove her to do. Etterlene "Bunny" DeBarge (born March 10, 1955) is an American soul singer-songwriter and the lone female sibling of the Motown family group DeBarge. Drew wonders if Bunny can still make amends. Quick facts you may or not have known: Five of the older debarge children out of 10 turned to drugs after sexually and physically abused by their now deceased father The episode on DeBarge moved me. , a pivotal figure whose life was marked by talent, tragedy, and the indomitable spirit of creativity. El DeBarge Interview: The DeBarge Family, Trouble at Motown, DJ Quik, Secret Garden Trump Has a Nasty New Bruise, Launches Board of Peace & Jimmy Kimmel Breaks Down the FCC’s Threats Discover the rise, struggles, and redemption of the DeBarge family, a Motown legend marked by fame, hardship, and faith. In 1975, musician Bobby DeBarge left Grand Rapids to start the funk - soul band Switch, which first went by the name First Class. She was the lead vocalist on the R&B ballad "A Dream", from the group's In a Special Way album, and is also the co-writer of the group's 1982 breakthrough hit, "I Like It" and the number-one hit, "Time Will Reveal". The 55-year-old star details the tumultuous marriage with James DeBarge in her documentary, 'Janet Jackson. For example, El’s 2010 comeback album, Second Chance, netted three Grammy nominations but drug and legal problems derailed his return. Drew talks about how the family's addiction is so bad, they're no longer doing drugs to get high, but to just avoid a terribly painful withdrawal so they Janet Jackson opened up about her first marriage to James DeBarge in a two-part documentary premiering on A&E and Lifetime over Friday and Saturday nights. Music as Healing While the DeBarge siblings endured their fair share of physical and emotional abuse at the hands of their father, they found strength in their faith and their music. But due to personal and legal issues and changing musical tastes, the group disbanded. Unfortunately, the group ended in 1989 due to substance abuse and several deaths. had the largest impact. Despite the major success of the three acts in the family — the band Switch, the group DeBarge and solo artist Chico DeBarge, the dark cloud looms large. Before drugs, El DeBarge was dealing with the downsides of superstardom. Two members of the singing DeBarge family--Jonathan (Chico) DeBarge, 22, and Robert (Bobby) DeBarge, 26--have been convicted on cocaine trafficking charges and face possible life prison terms and All Rights Reserved To The Unsung Series. Grand Rapids-born Bobby DeBarge was the first in the family to succumb to drugs (in his case, heroin). Siblings Randy, Marty, Tommy, and Bunny DeBarge were reportedly dealing with alcohol and drug abuse during this time. From dating Latoya and Janet Jackson to allegations of sexual abuse and drug addiction – the DeBarge family has dealt Bunny DeBarge-Knight is an American soul singer–songwriter, best known as the lone female sibling of the Motown family group DeBarge. Michael A. I knew as a young kids that the Debarge family was being abused by the father. Tune in tomorrow night at 10P/9C for the full DeBarge #Unsung episode | TV One | Facebook. Robert was four years older, in the army, and white, which made him socially forbidden fruit. All Rights Reserved To The Unsung Series. [1][2] They married when Etterlene was 17, a The episode on DeBarge moved me. He became addicted during the heyday of Switch and years later, 1988, was sentenced to five The DeBarge family – El, Marty, Randy, Bunny and James, not to mention Thomas, Bobby, and baby brother Chico – were supposed to be Motown's follow-up to the Jacksons. The Debarge Family appeared on Dr. ' Janet Jackson is shutting down the long-standing rumors that she gave birth to and hid El himself dealt with drug abuse for two decades, and it prevented him from having a relationship with his children. She was 17 and romantically inexperienced. Unresolved trauma is a breeding The DeBarge family is a family of rhythm and blues artists from Grand Rapids, Michigan. The amount of drug abuse and number of incarcerations within this family is mind blowing. Between their struggles with addiction, crime, and drama, the DeBarges have lived tragic lives. Robert Louis DeBarge, Sr. At the heart of this saga lies Robert Louis DeBarge Sr. [3] At 15, DeBarge was introduced to heroin, which became his lifelong addiction. Their music and story live on. Bunny DeBarge is the only family member we see Robert Sr. She is best known as the only female sibling of the DeBarge family, as well as the only female singer in their group, and the lead vocalist of “A Dream”, featured on the album “In a Special Way”. Explore a detailed examination of the harrowing DeBarge Family Abuse, shedding light on scandal, allegations, and their impact on music history. ” While visiting the home where their music career first began, Bunny DeBarge reveals the abuse she While visiting the home where their music career first began, Bunny DeBarge reveals the abuse she suffered for six years. sexually abuse in the film, but at least the oldest 5 children were also sexually abused by Robert according to Greg from Switch and other stories. They consisted mainly of members of the DeBarge family and released six studio albums from 1979 to 1989. But Bunny says that after years of abuse, she’s finally proud to say she’s been delivered from substance abuse. He had an unhappy childhood because of his father's abuse. Veteran R&B crooner, El DeBarge from the multi-talented DeBarge family led a string of mid-1980s Motown hits that included "I Like It", "Time Will Reveal" and "Rhythm of the Night". According to Live About, the two brothers were not the only members of the family having trouble with drugs. The new documentary delves into these challenges, focusing on James DeBarge—Janet Jackson’s first husband—and the family’s ongoing hardships. The last 30 years have been filled with both triumph and tragedy for the DeBarge family, shaped in large part by the continuing substance abuse problems faced by several family members. (19322009) was a soldier who served for the United States Armed forces and was of French descent. Here is a recap of their journey on our show that led to them The DeBarge family is a family of rhythm and blues artists from Detroit and Grand Rapids, Michigan. He met Etterlene Abney, who is African American, in Detroit, Michigan in th The DeBarge family endured a staggering amount of physical, emotional, and even sexual abuse at the hands of their father Robert Sr, and to some degree, each other. Life on the Streets A recently released clip from DeBarge shows James, 61, and Randy, 66, living in RVs in Los Angeles Grand Rapids-born Bobby DeBarge was the first in the family to succumb to drugs (in his case, heroin). in Detroit, Michigan. Unresolved trauma is a breeding ground for addiction and it’s been a lifelong battle for the siblings ever since. Vibe magazine's October issue features "Broken Dreams," an outstanding look into the widely chronicled trials and tribulations of the Grand Rapids, Michigan-bred siblings. He became addicted during the heyday of Switch and years later, 1988, was sentenced to five Chico DeBarge and His Siblings’ Drug Abuse and Crime Something that has always been on public record is the fact that all of Robert's children led a life of drugs and crime. Gonzales captures the meteoric rise of Switch and DeBarge through a series of candid interviews with many […] Dr. On the flip side to DeBarge’s newfound fame and fortune was a dark side plagued by drug abuse and post-traumatic stress resulting from ongoing torment and child abuse at the hands of his alcoholic white father. After Chico DeBarge was reportedly arrested for meth possession, OK! takes a look at the painful past of the R&B star. Farai Chideya talks with brother and sister, Chico and Bunny DeBarge, about their tumultuous lives and careers. Behind their 80s fame, the DeBarge siblings endured a dark cycle of violence and trauma The TRAGIC Debarge Story They Never Told YouThe Debarge family had influence in music between the 70s and 80s, but there was more darkness behind their succe At long last, the story of the legendary DeBarge family is being told. Robert (Bobby) DeBarge, one of two members of the singing DeBarge family charged by federal agents with cocaine trafficking, was freed on $50,000 bond Monday--but only if he enrolls in an in So it is with the DeBarge family, from parents on down. Keywords: Bunny DeBarge recovery journey, overcoming hardship stories, motivation through struggle, inspirational musician stories, drug abuse recovery insights, power of determination in recovery, family support in rehabilitation, true story of Bunny DeBarge, music artist resilience, healing from addiction The DeBarge family history is not just one of musical success, but also a tragic tale of abuse and scandal. The abuse started the issues but the drugs was to numb it but created a bigger issues. The 1988 arrest of Jonathan DeBarge marked the end of the DeBarge family's pop success. This is not my work. Drew’s LifeChanges where they seeked help to deal with the drug abuse as well with other issues that took place through out the abuse. In this episode of Lifechangers, we catch up with the DeBarge family and their rehab progress. While visiting the home where their music career first began, Bunny DeBarge reveals the abuse she suffered for six years. Unfortunately, he was also "insanely jealous," Janet Jackson opened up about her first marriage to James DeBarge in a two-part documentary premiering on A&E and Lifetime over Friday and Saturday nights. His parents had a turbulent marriage that included domestic abuse and child abuse on DeBarge’s father’s part. Any of you are planning to watch the Bobby Debarge story? Etterlene met Robert shortly after her father died. The DeBarge family rose to fame with their 1980s singing group, DeBarge. “We learned at a very early age that we couldn’t trust momma because momma was afraid of daddy too. Behind their 80s fame, the DeBarge siblings endured a dark cycle of violence and trauma Bunny DeBarge Short Bio Etterlene DeBarge, best known as Bunny DeBarge, was born under the sign of Pisces on 15 March 1955, in Detroit, Michigan USA, . The DeBarge family history is not just one of musical success, but also a tragic tale of abuse and scandal. Tune in tomorrow night at 10P/9C for the full DeBarge #Unsung episode | TV One | Facebook Etterlene DeBarge was a gospel singer and the matriarch of the musical DeBarge family. Her other major achievements include co The DeBarge family rose to fame with their 1980s singing group, DeBarge. Drew talks about how the family's addiction is so bad, they're no longer doing drugs to get high, but to just avoid a terribly painful withdrawal so they As a kid, DeBarge was raised in Detroit and Grand Rapids, Michigan. Bunny, El, James and Chico are among the more prominent members of the family that have battled addiction. (🎥: @wildmogulstv)". Despite his musical success, Bobby grappled with the scars of a traumatic childhood, marked by abuse and neglect. Her other major achievements include co The DeBarge family are the children of Etterlene DeBarge (née Abney; 1935–2024), an African American and American Indian gospel singer born in Royal Oak, Michigan in 1935 and Robert Louis DeBarge, Sr. Robert DeBarge’s Family Background Bunny DeBarge is the only family member we see Robert Sr. The DeBarges might have taken after their grandfather talent-wise, but their father Robert Loius DeBarge Sr. The story of the DeBarge family airs later this month on TV One's documentary series 882 likes, 60 comments - goldenerastories on July 7, 2025: "The DeBarge family endured a staggering amount of physical, emotional, and even sexual abuse at the hands of their father Robert Sr, and to some degree, each other. Not one or two but virtually all of the family members struggled with abuse and/or drugs. Despite their musical success, personal struggles—including legal troubles and substance abuse—led to a turbulent decline. Etterlene DeBarge was a gospel singer and the matriarch of the musical DeBarge family. But after a trail of dazzling '80s hits, behind-the-scenes drama threatened to bring the family down. Bunny DeBarge Short Bio Etterlene DeBarge, best known as Bunny DeBarge, was born under the sign of Pisces on 15 March 1955, in Detroit, Michigan USA, . The DeBarge family’s legacy in the music industry is both illustrious and heartrending. rsfc, zlblp, nkxg, b0uy, 0aqzo, mll01, mrxca, s6brwp, oibsr, ekea,