La Toya Jackson

La Toya Jackson is an American singer, author and television personality best known as the fifth child of the Jackson family and for her solo pop and R&B career. Born in Gary, Indiana, she was raised alongside her nine siblings, including Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson. She spent her childhood in a household deeply involved in music and performance and briefly attended California Prep School in Encino, California. She enrolled in college for a short time but ultimately pursued show business at her father’s urging.

La Toya began her career appearing on the CBS variety series The Jacksons from 1976 to 1977 alongside her siblings. She released her self-titled debut album in 1980 and achieved her biggest U.S. hit with the 1984 single “Heart Don’t Lie.”

Over the years, she released multiple studio albums, including No Relations (1991), From Nashville to You (1994) and Stop in the Name of Love (1995). In the mid-2000s, she made her return to music with singles such as “Just Wanna Dance” and “Free the World.” She has also authored multiple memoirs, including Starting Over (2011).

La Toya married manager Jack Gordon in 1989. The pair divorced in 1997. She was later linked to business partner Jeffré Phillips, but they ended their engagement in 2015.