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James Brown’s daughters explain how they forgave him for abusing wife Deidre Jenkins: ‘Time to show grace’

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Deanna Brown Thomas and Yamma Brown, two of James Brown’s daughters, got candid about forgiving their father after witnessing him abuse their mom, Deidre Jenkins.

“When you see a family member being hurt, you’re not feeling the best about the person that’s hurting them,” Yamma, 52, told People in a new interview published Tuesday.

“I was flat-out upset, mad with my dad at that moment. I still go back to that place every now and then, not to belittle my dad, but flashing back over my own life and the domestic violence situation in my life, thinking how much of that shaped me.”

Yamma — who also opened up about the abuse in a four-part docuseries about her dad’s life and career titled “James Brown: Say It Loud” — said she was around 6 years old the last time she saw the “I Got You (I Feel Good)” musician abuse her mom and she intervened.

Yamma Brown and James Brown.
“When you see a family member being hurt, you’re not feeling the best about the person that’s hurting them,” Yamma Brown (pictured here) told People in a new interview published Tuesday. Courtesy of Dr. Yamma Brown
Deidre Jenkins at a screening in 2014.
Yamma said she was 6 years old when she last saw the soul singer abuse Jenkins (pictured here). FilmMagic

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

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

The “Cold Sweat: My Father James Brown and Me” author said she had to “acknowledge” the abuse happened “in order to move on from that space.”

Deanna Brown Thomas and James Brown.
Deanna Brown Thomas (pictured here) said she “didn’t like” James growing up due to his behavior towards her mom. Courtesy of Dr. Deanna Brown Thomas
Deanna Brown with James Brown and Deidre Jenkins in 1972.
“He never had any type of rage towards us because we were his children,” Deanna shared. “That was a situation between a husband and a wife. There’s different type of love, different type of circumstances.” Courtesy of Dr. Deanna Brown Thomas

Deanna, 55, told People that she “didn’t like” James growing up due to his behavior towards his second wife.

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“There was a time when I didn’t like my father,” she confessed. “I didn’t like him because of this type of behavior. I saw a lot growing up. I heard a lot growing up that could have damaged me for a lifetime.”

However, she said the dad of nine never abused his kids.

A black-and-white photo of James Brown and Deidre Jenkins.
Jenkins and Brown were married from 1970 to 1981. Getty Images
James Brown performing.
The Godfather of Soul was married four times and had nine children. AP

“He never had any type of rage towards us because we were his children,” Deanna shared. “That was a situation between a husband and a wife. There’s different type of love, different type of circumstances.”

Jenkins and Brown tied the knot in October 1970 and divorced in 1981. She has mostly stayed out of the limelight following their split.

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

James Brown performing.
James died of congestive heart failure caused by pneumonia in 2006. He was 73. Redferns

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

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

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

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