Michael Jackson is widely celebrated as the breakout star of the Jackson 5, but in the group’s earliest days, it was his older brother Jermaine who stood at the mic. As the original lead singer, Jermaine brought soulful charm to the Jackson 5’s early sound. However, that changed when young Michael’s extraordinary vocal talent emerged, gradually shifting the spotlight in his direction.

The Jackson 5’s meteoric rise—from practicing secretly in Gary, Indiana, to topping charts under Motown—was built on both Michael and Jermaine’s chemistry. Songs like “I Want You Back” and “I’ll Be There” thrived on their shared vocals, a dynamic described as a “call and response” duet. Yet, beneath the surface of coordinated dance routines and polished performances, a growing tension began to take shape—one rooted in ambition, media manipulation, and inevitable sibling rivalry.

During their formative years, Michael and Jermaine were inseparable. They shared beds, hotel rooms, and rehearsal routines, with Michael idolizing his older brother’s voice and style. According to both brothers, they never fought in childhood. But as the group soared under Motown’s tightly controlled system, the record label and media began to push narratives of competition between the brothers.

Both Jermaine and Michael launched solo careers while still in the group, with hits like Michael’s “Got to Be There” and Jermaine’s “Daddy’s Home.” These solo ventures were intended to bolster the Jackson 5 brand—but the press began asking pointed questions: Was Michael going to leave the group? Was Jermaine competing with his own brother?

That speculation intensified when the Jackson family decided to leave Motown in 1975, seeking greater creative control and fairer royalties. Jermaine—who had recently married Hazel Gordy, daughter of Motown founder Berry Gordy—chose to stay behind, loyal to the label that launched their careers. The rest of the brothers signed with Epic Records and became “The Jacksons,” with youngest brother Randy stepping in for Jermaine.

Jermaine’s decision fractured the family band and emotionally affected both brothers. Michael reportedly called Jermaine in tears, unable to imagine performing without him. Jermaine later admitted the guilt he felt for staying, even as he believed he was doing the right thing.

Throughout the 1980s, Michael’s superstardom reached unimaginable heights, leaving Jermaine struggling to carve out his own identity. A rivalry, stoked by the media, turned personal. In 1991, Jermaine released a diss track titled “Word to the Badd!!” criticizing his brother’s fame and perceived betrayal.

Yet, despite years of tension and competition, Jermaine always circled back to loyalty. As Michael faced intense scrutiny, allegations, and public attacks in the 1990s and 2000s, Jermaine consistently came to his defense—most notably after Michael’s tragic death in 2009.

Their story is not just about sibling rivalry, but about love, legacy, and the emotional cost of fame. The tale of Michael and Jermaine Jackson is a complex one—woven with deep affection, conflicting loyalties, and the pressure of life in the public eye.