Janet Jackson is one of the world’s best-selling artists, having sold well over 100 million records globally. And yet, the iconic singer can often be reduced to the sister of a controversial pop star or one half of a scandalous Super Bowl show.
Now, Jackson is telling her story in her own words with a four-hour documentary simply titled Janet. The project will mine Jackson’s personal life and her 40-plus year career through never-before-seen home videos and archival footage and interviews with family, friends, and admirers including Mariah Carey, Missy Elliot, Tito Jackson, and Paula Abdul.
And, yes, she will discuss the death of her brother Michael and the aforementioned Super Bowl performance with Justin Timberlake — which was infamously dubbed “Nipplegate.” The singer, who welcomed her first child in 2017, will also open up about becoming a mother later in life (Jackson was 50 when her son was born).
The documentary will celebrate the 40th anniversary of Jackson’s self-titled debut album, which was released in 1982. Viewers will also gain a glimpse into the Jackson family’s grieving process after the death of their father Joseph who passed away in 2018.
Joe Jackson was instrumental in the careers of his children, with the patriarch pioneering the Jackson 5 before negotiating Janet’s first record contract when she was 16 years old.
While Janet’s first two albums found moderate success, it was after she terminated her business affairs with her father that she saw a hit record, with her third album Control reaching number one on the Billboard charts and becoming certified fivefold Platinum after selling over ten million copies worldwide.
Her next album Rhythm Nation 1814 would prove to be even more successful and spawned the hit singles ‘Miss You Much’, ‘Rhythm Nation’, ‘Escapade’, ‘Alright’ and ‘Black Cat.’
Her fifth studio album Janet (remember that album cover?) debuted in May 1993 bringing us the singles ‘That’s the Way Love Goes’, ‘Again’ and ‘If’ among others.
The singer has also had roles in films such as Poetic Justice and Nutty Professor II: The Klumps. She last released an album in 2015 with her record Unbreakable.
Janet will air in the US over two nights in January, so stay tuned for how to watch it in Australia. In the meantime, watch the teaser trailer below.
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