Famously Bad Parenting
Michael Jackson
The tiniest and loudest member of the Jackson 5, MJ seemed to have the dream childhood—a recording career, the support of a large and loving family, and fame all wrapped into one. Too bad off-stage life wasn't nearly as fun. Parents Joseph and Katherine Jackson reportedly disciplined their children rigidly for "misbehaving"—by spanking or even whipping them.
Rumors of worse family abuses also surfaced in a book written by Michael's sister La Toya, and Joseph was found to have committed marital infidelity at least once. Growing up in a strict Jehovah's Witness family in Gary, Ind., did little to stifle young Michael's creative freedom, however, as he found his passion in music and dancing. And monkeys. And theme parks. And plastic surgery. And having children stay for sleepovers.