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Meet the next generation of The Jacksons

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A new reality series called The Jacksons: Next Generation on Lifetime (DStv channel 131) promises to reveal the challenges and triumphs of three members of the famous family.

Taj, Taryll and TJ are third-generations Jacksons – sons and nephews of Jackson 5 member Tito. As music group 3T they have achieved fame in their own right, having toured and sold more than three million records worldwide just off their debut album.

City Press caught up with them and asked them about their new show, which – according to the network – sees “the brothers as they work to balance a career and their lives as traditional family men while living up to the pressures and demands that comes with their last name”.

Q: What made you decide to do a reality show?

TJ: Being a Jackson, people think they know you simply from what they read or what the media tells them. And that often contains many misconceptions and lies. So we wanted to show the world who we really are. TV is powerful and we wanted to utilise it to show people that even us as Jacksons go through hardship and struggles but with love and family anyone can persevere.

Q: Was it difficult letting cameras into your life?

Taj: Very different to how we grew up. As a family we are so private. However my brothers and I knew that in order for this show to work, we had to be real and true, otherwise the audience would not go on the journey with us.

Q: How did you cope with times you wanted privacy or did not feel like having a camera follow you?

Taj: It was hard because those times are usually the most “real” and sometimes we had to stop ourselves from shutting down the cameras.

Q: What can viewers expect from the series?

Taj: A real look at what it is like to live in our shoes. The positive and negatives of being a Jackson. There’s a lot of humour in the series as well, which is strange to say.

Q: Do we get to see Michael’s children in the series at all?

TJ: Our family really wanted to be part of the series. And not allowing any members to participate is sending the wrong message to them. We are a family of love and we wanted anyone who wanted to be in it, to be in it.

Q: Is it hard living with the Jackson name – the constant scrutiny, expectations and idolisation?
Taryll: I love my family and I’m so proud and lucky to be a part of it. Being in this family has given me great opportunities and allowed me to experience so much in life.

However, there are a lot of challenging times. We’ve learnt to stick together and be there for each other. It hurts to read the lies and see unfair treatment. What’s worse is some people actually believe the lies.

» Catch The Jacksons: Next Generation on Lifetime (DStv channel 131) on Wednesdays at 8.45pm
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