Heart’s Don’t Lie - The La Toya Jackson Podcast

Welcome to our very first La Toya Jackson News Round-Up!

From the new Michael movie and La Toya’s role in the film, to her recent RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars appearance, viral social media moments, red carpet appearances, and a huge spike in Spotify streams… La Toya is firmly back in the spotlight.

We also discuss:

- her portrayal in the Michael film by Jessica Sula

- the return of her reality TV content online

- the internet rediscovering her music and personality

- why this current resurgence feels bigger than simple nostalgia

Plus — I want to hear from YOU. How did you first discover La Toya? Send in your stories, favourite songs, and first impressions for a future listener segment.

The La Toya renaissance is happening in real time… and we’re documenting it as it unfolds.

This week, we’re stepping slightly outside the La Toya lane… but don’t worry, we’re keeping it in the family.

In this special mini diversion, we’re diving into Paula Abdul’s third and final studio album, Head Over Heels. Long before her days as a pop juggernaut, Paula’s story was already intertwined with the Jacksons — from being discovered when she was a Laker Girl, to choreographing music videos for Janet, and famously working on The Jacksons’ Victory Tour. So really… this feels like a natural crossover.

Coming off the back of two blockbuster albums — Forever Your Girl and Spellbound — which produced six number one hits and broke records that still stand today, Head Over Heels had a lot to live up to. But over time, it’s become the forgotten chapter in Paula’s legacy. So what happened? And does the album deserve a second look?

Joined by returning guest Eric, we revisit this often-overlooked 1995 release — unpacking the sound, the singles, and the hidden gems — as we continue our mission to shine a light on underrated and unsung pop moments.

After nine episodes exploring every La Toya Jackson studio album, we’ve reached the moments that live in between the eras. In this episode, we step away from the album tracklists and shine a light on the standalone singles, collaborations, and hidden gems that sit quietly throughout La Toya’s musical timeline. From one-off releases to unexpected duets and songs that never quite found a home on an album, these tracks reveal a fascinating side of her career that fans don’t always hear about.

Spanning several decades, these songs show La Toya experimenting with different sounds, trends, and creative partnerships as the music landscape changed around her. Some are overlooked, some are cult favourites, and some are true curiosities in her discography—but together they paint a fuller picture of her musical journey. Welcome to Between the Eras of La Toya Jackson.

In this episode, we’re taking a thoughtful detour — but don’t worry, La Toya remains the heart of this podcast. This time, we’re stepping into the world of her big sister, Rebbie Jackson, to explore a career that often sits quietly within the wider Jackson legacy. From her start in the industry to the way she chose to navigate fame, we look at how she carved out her own lane — not in comparison, but in curiosity — and what kind of artist she set out to be.

We’ll walk through all four of Rebbie’s studio albums, tracing her sound, the evolution between releases, and the hidden gems that deserve a second listen. I discovered her music through the power of La Toya, but this episode is about digging deeper — uncovering the intention behind the music, the gaps between eras, and the quiet strength of an artist who moved at her own pace.

After years of silence, control, and survival, La Toya Jackson finally steps into the light with Starting Over — an era defined by independence, creative freedom, and emotional honesty. In this episode of Hearts Don’t Lie, we explore La Toya’s long-awaited return to music, from the fearless dancefloor joy of Just Wanna Dance to the deeply personal songwriting that runs through every track on the EP.

We unpack the symbolism of this era: La Toya writing on every song, reclaiming her voice in her late 40s, embracing a new public image, and reconnecting with audiences through music, television, and storytelling on her own terms. Starting Over isn’t just a comeback — it’s a journey from trauma to release, reflection, and ultimately joy. And it might just be one of the most meaningful chapters of her career.

This week on Hearts Don’t Lie, we dive into Stop In the Name of Love (1995) — La Toya Jackson’s final full-length studio album and one of the most overlooked entries in her discography.

Following the country inspired From Nashville to You, this album marked a return to dance-pop and mid-’90s club sounds, reworking Motown classics through upbeat production, house-influenced grooves, and La Toya’s unmistakable vocal style. We explore the album’s fascinating context, its curious creation stories and why these reinterpretations feel more like reinvention than tribute.

From high-energy dance remixes to surprisingly heartfelt moments — including La Toya’s take on I’ll Be There — this episode reexamines a record that didn’t chase commercial success, but quietly expanded La Toya’s musical world.

A forgotten gem? A misunderstood experiment? Or one of La Toya’s most fun releases?

Let’s talk about it.

This week on Hearts Don’t Lie, we take a deep dive into one of La Toya Jackson’s most overlooked albums: From Nashville to You (1994).

Coming off the high-energy dance-pop of No Relations, this album marked a clear shift toward a more adult contemporary, country-leaning, storytelling-focused sound, with less emphasis on image and more focus on the music itself. Despite a shift in genre, this album remains unmistakably La Toya — from her distinctive vocals and ad-libs to the warmth, personality, and quiet sass she brings to every track.

Joining me is Eric (@vibeology.89620), a devoted La Toya super-fan whose knowledge of this era and country music, plus passion for her catalog, add real depth and insight to the conversation.

Together, we revisit an album that didn’t chase hits, but quietly expanded the musical world of La Toya Jackson — and deserves a closer listen.

In this episode, we dive into No Relations, the album that captures La Toya Jackson in one of the most chaotic periods of her career.

Behind the scenes, things were messy, controlled, and far from glamorous… but on the record? It’s pure high-camp escapism: thumping Euro beats, eyebrow-raising lyrics, seductive whispers, and enough attitude to power an entire 1991 nightclub.

We’re breaking down the bops, the shocks, and the cult-classic charm that makes No Relations one of the most unforgettable chapters in La Toya’s discography.

In this episode, we dive into La Toya Jackson’s late ’80s reinvention, covering both La Toya (1988) and Bad Girl (1990). With a bold new sound and attitude, La Toya stepped out from under her father’s management and embraced taking risks and redefining her musical identity. We explore the daring production, standout tracks, and fearless persona that marked this pivotal chapter in her career.