La Toya Jackson revealed that she is engaged to her longtime business partner and BFF, Jeffre Philips. She shared the happy news on Good Morning America on June 4, shown above.
Woke up w/the BIGGEST SMILE on my face!! Watch @GMA at 8am to hear why! Dreams do become reality if U have faith & believe! #lifewithlatoya
— La Toya Jackson (@latoyajackson) June 4, 2014
As the second season of her reality series, Life with La Toya, airs on June 7, we will get a first-hand look into their relationship.
Let’s learn more about her fiance.
1. He Said He’s Never Been Closer to Anyone Than La Toya
Jackson says that for most of their 14-year relationship, it was strictly platonic.
She told People, “We’re best friends and we’ve been business partners forever. It was always professional — no one really crossed those boundaries.”
On the first season of Life With La Toya, Jackson tried to find a boyfriend, but friends have said it was all staged in order to get ratings.
In the clip above from the show, Kathy Hilton sat down with Phillips.
When she asked what would happen if his best friend got a boyfriend, he paused.
“I would be devastated. I would be. Because she’s been my whole life for over 14 years,” he said.
2. There Were Rumors They Married in December
La Toya Jackson's Been Hiding Her Marriage to Her Gay BFF – http://t.co/LkiRbG4z6x pic.twitter.com/QIiXYrLcwJ
— PopGlitz (@PopGlitz1) June 4, 2014
In December, multiple media sources reported that the two had already made it official.
@latoyajackson Congrats! RT #LaToyaJackson Got Hitched To Her Business Partner & Prince Jackson Was At The Ceremony! http://t.co/F4EJITFRY9
— Perez Hilton (@PerezHilton) December 8, 2013
Although a marriage is now in their future, they were always together, way before the engagement.
He’s been by her side forever and they already live in the same building in LA. He has invested her well in real estate and other business dealings so she is financially in great shape. And he’s always with her. They are the very best of friends and Jeffre is part of the family by now.
3. He Founded Ja-Tail Enterprises With La Toya
La Toya Jackson reveals all the details behind her engagement: http://t.co/MAyoD4FfCF pic.twitter.com/CGO6FHXfPO
— HELLO! (@hellomag) June 4, 2014
Their company, based in Beverly Hills, specializes in independent entertainment.
Phillips is a producer who actually produces Life With La Toya.
According to his imdb page, his other projects include Michael Jackson and Bubbles: The Untold Story and Shriek If You Know What I Did Last Friday the Thirteenth.
He met his future wife in 1999 while working on Shriek If You Know What I Did Last Friday the Thirteenth.
4. He Gave Her a 17.5-Carat Diamond
La Toya Jackson Gets Engaged with A 17.5 Carat Diamond Ring! http://t.co/6RFiJR1MPi pic.twitter.com/jRomqAOmjR
— RemiKuti.com (@Remi_Kuti) June 4, 2014
On the night of their engagement, Phillips had an elaborate plan, complete with a path of rose petals. The ring was hidden under a dessert tray, as they shared a romantic dinner in Hawaii.
“It wasn’t a fast yes,” she told People.
5. He Asked Her Dad for Permission
On the reality show, we will see the conversation between Phillips and his future father-in-law, Joe Jackson, play out.
In the preview above, we see him sit down with the Jackson patriarch.
On GMA La Toya said, “And my father, mind you, he’s a nice guy, but he’s not the easiest person to talk to.”