Janet Jackson is reportedly hoping to secure full custody of her eight-month-old son Eissa.
The 51-year-old singer has Eissa with her estranged husband Wissam Al Mana – who was recently accused by Janet’s brother Randy of being verbally abusive towards her – and a source has now claimed the ‘Rhythm Nation’ hitmaker is seeking full custody of her young son.
The insider explained: "That [news of] verbal abuse allegations months after their separation and impending divorce are shocking, but not surprising.
"Janet is great at managing her business and career, but she is not as smart when it comes to affairs of the heart."
Janet has remained tight-lipped about her split from Wissam earlier this year, preferring to keep her personal life out of the spotlight.
But, according to an insider, Randy thought it was necessary to speak out about their separation for the sake of his sister.
The source told ‘Entertainment Tonight’: "Janet likes to keep her personal life private.
"Her brother Randy feels like it is his job to protect his family and he could not take seeing his baby sister in emotional pain."
Earlier this week, Randy claimed their split came as a result of Wissam making Janet "feel like a prisoner in her own home".
He shared: "There’s a lot of pain. Janet’s been through a lot with her divorce. I’ve been through a lot, we all have.
"It was quite an abusive situation. It came on later in the relationship, verbal abuse and being [made to feel like] a prisoner in her own home. No pregnant woman needs to go through being called a b***h everyday. There were things like that. That’s what she went through."
But Wissam’s attorneys said he finds Randy’s claims to be "deeply hurtful".
They said: "Mr. Al Mana is not going to dignify these particular and deeply hurtful allegations with a response.
"The breakdown of his marriage to Janet Jackson is a cause of great sadness to Mr. Al Mana, and it is the wellbeing and privacy of their son, Eissa, that remains his sole focus."