James Brown’s daughters explain how they forgave him for abusing his wife Deidre Jenkins

Music

By Tamantha Ryan

Deanna Brown Thomas and Yamma Brown, two of James Brown’s daughters, were sincere in forgiving their father after seeing him abuse their mother, Deidre Jenkins.

“When you see a family member being hurt, you don’t feel good about the person who is hurting them,” Yamma, 52, he told the people in a new interview published Tuesday.

“I was completely upset, angry at my dad at that moment. “I still go back to that place from time to time, not to belittle my father, but to remember my own life and the domestic violence situation in my life, thinking about how much of that marked me.”

Yamma, who also spoke out about the abuse in a four-part documentary series about her father’s life and career titled “James Brown: Say it out loud” — said she was about 6 years old the last time she saw the “I Got You (I Feel Good)” musician abuse her mom and she intervened.

“I talk about it in the sense that it happened. It is an unfortunate time for anyone’s situation and life,” she explained.

“If you’ve ever had to go through domestic violence, you know what it’s like. And it shows that he was human because he had flaws, but it’s also a time to show grace.”

The author of “Cold Sweat: My Father James Brown and Me” said she had to “acknowledge” that the abuse occurred “so I can move forward from that space.”

Deanna, 55, told People that she “didn’t like” James growing up because of his behavior toward his second wife.

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“There was a time when I didn’t like my father,” he confessed. “I didn’t like him for this kind of behavior. I saw a lot of things growing up. I heard a lot of things growing up that could have damaged me for my entire life.”

However, he said the father of nine never abused his children.

“He never had any kind of anger towards us because we were his children,” Deanna shared. “That was a situation between husband and wife. “There are different types of love, different types of circumstances.”

Jenkins and Brown married in October 1970 and divorced in 1981. She largely stayed out of the spotlight after their separation.

The “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag” singer married his third wife, Adrienne Rodriguez, in 1984. During that marriage, James was arrested several times for domestic abuse.

James, also known as the Godfather of Soul, died of congestive heart failure caused by pneumonia in 2006. He was 73 years old.

“James Brown: Say It Loud” premieres tonight and Tuesday at 8 pm ET on A&E.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support.