The Jackson family is ready to bare all and tell their story ... their way!
The new docu-series "The Jacksons: Next Generation" follows the lives of Taj, Taryll and TJ Jackson –- the co-guardian of Michael Jackson's three children and high school boyfriend of Kim Kardashian -- as they record their second album together as the band T3 in 20 years.
While the Jacksons have become a tabloid staple through the years, the famous family hopes to show the world their personal lives beyond the gossip.
“We've become such a brand,” Taj explains in an interview with toofab. "And the world needs to see that we're family, and we're human at the same time."
And when it comes to the King of Pop -- who they lovingly refer to as "Uncle Michael" -- the brothers are extremely protective of his legacy.
"I love my uncle," Taj tells us. "He's one of the most amazing people in the world to me -- and to a lot of people-- and I feel like history is being rewritten about him."
"I don't want someone 100 years from now pulling up an article that's completely false and thinking that's how my uncle was, or that's how my family was," he adds.
TJ plans to re-write his story as well.
"That's a big reason why I wanted to do this show, because I am more than Kim Kardashian's high school boyfriend or Michael Jackson's kids' guardian," TJ says. "I wanted people to understand that there's more to me."
The series will focus on the entire Jackson generation, but it will also feature Prince and Blanket. "It's their story as well, and this is their chance to show the world who they are," Taj explains of their involvement.
While the fame of being a Jackson certainly has its perks, the three brothers also point out that letting people into their inner circle can be tricky.
"There are downfalls about being a Jackson," Taryll admits. "We always had to be careful. It was hard to find friends."
"There have been people that I've met in my adult life, you befriend them, and you find out later they've wanted something else other than your friendship," he adds. "It's hurtful, but you learn to deal and you learn to adjust. It's something that all of our cousins are experiencing. It just comes with the territory."
"It's more like I hide behind 'the Jackson' when I first meet someone because I want to know if they like me for who I really am, or if they like me because they want something from me," adds Taj.
While the Jackson's might have their guard up, they're at least ready to let America in.
"What I want people to come off with from our show is the feeling that they have struggles and they have hurdles that they go through, but love and family is the answer," says Taj in closing.
See the family in action when "The Jackson: Next Generation" premieres Friday Oct. 2, at 10PM on Lifetime.
