Jermaine Jackson, the original lead singer of the group that became the legendary Jackson 5, is again the subject of national scorn and the butt of jokes after having his driver’s license revoked for failure to pay child support.
The older brother of the late megastar Michael Jackson, Jermaine had his license confiscated after it was revealed that he owes more than $91,000 in back child support payments to ex-wife Alejandra Jackson.
According to court documents filed in the Los Angeles County Child Support Services Department, Jackson is prohibited from driving a vehicle until the child support is paid in full. He told the judge that he can no longer afford the mandated monthly $3,000 payments for his children, Jermajesty and Jaafar.
Jackson has already been mocked nationwide for his very weird coif, greasy appearance and prima donna mentality. Then there’s the matter of naming his children Jermajesty and Jaafar, boldly claiming they are the sons of royalty. Yet, this self-proclaimed “king” actually had the audacity to ask the judge to lower his monthly payments to a miniscule $215, which barely covers monthly gas prices in California. He justifies that amount because he said the mother makes more money than he does. But this 55 year-old man should have extra ends in his back pockets since he lives with his mother Katherine — rent free — in the large estate that Michael bought way back with his Off the Wall profits.
This continues a lifelong string of odd decisions and missteps that crippled Jermaine’s career and helped lead to the sad demise of the First Family of Pop Music, the Jacksons. Though he did crank out a few solo hits — most notably “Let’s Get Serious” in the 1970s and “Tell Me Am I Dreaming” and “Do What You Do” in the mid-80s — his career was totally eclipsed by the gargantuan shadow cast by Michael’s intergalactic musical influence, as well as by younger sister Janet. Jermaine, however, is nothing if not persistent as he continues to look for his big break 40 years after his teen sex symbol days.
Jermaine is, in short, a diva awaiting a fan base that has never materialized. The judge, on the other hand, got tired of awaiting for child support payments. –terry shropshire
