La Toya Jackson gets engaged

La Toya Jackson secretly got engaged to her business partner Jeffré Phillips when they were on vacation last summer.

Pic: Getty

The 58-year-old singer was stunned when her business partner Jeffré Phillips, 46, popped the question while they were on vacation in Hawaii last August.

Pic: Getty

La Toya said: "[I was caught off guard so] it wasn't a fast yes.

Pic: Getty

"I had no clue. I couldn't understand why he was so nervous."

Pic: Getty

Jeffré had had La Toya follow a path of white rose petals and gardenias to their hotel balcony, where he had arranged a romantic dinner of her favourite foods, before surprising her with a 17.5 carat diamond ring, which had been hidden under a dessert tray.

She added to People magazine: My heart just stopped.

Pic: Getty

"I was in total shock. We're best friends and we've been business partners forever. It was always professional - no one really crossed those boundaries."

Though La Toya - the older sister of late 'Thriller' hitmaker Michael Jackson - refused to discuss her wedding plans, she hinted fans will get to know when she plans to tie the knot if they watch her new reality show 'Life with La Toya', which airs on OWN from June 7.

Pic: Bang

She teased: "You have to wait to see the show."