Janet Jackson facts for kids

Janet Damita Jo Jackson (born May 16, 1966) is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and dancer. She is known for her creative songs that often talk about important social issues. Her amazing stage shows and dance moves helped make MTV popular. Janet also broke down barriers for women and Black artists in music. Her songs often shared messages about social topics and real-life experiences. This made her a great role model for young people.

Janet is the youngest of ten children in the famous Jackson family. She starred in many TV shows in the 1970s and early 1980s. Later, she signed a music deal with A&M Records. Her first album, Janet Jackson, came out in 1982. She became a huge pop star after releasing the albums Control (1986) and Rhythm Nation 1814 (1989). She worked with producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. Together, they mixed different music styles, which made her songs popular across many genres. In 1991, Janet signed a huge contract with Virgin Records. This made her one of the highest-paid artists in the music world. She also became a well-known actress, starring in the film Poetic Justice (1993). Her albums Janet (1993) and The Velvet Rope (1997) were also very successful. Billboard magazine named her the second most successful artist of the 1990s in the United States.

Her seventh album, All for You, was released in 2001. Around this time, MTV honored her with their first "MTV Icon" special. By the end of 2001, she and her brother Michael were among the few artists to have ten number-one songs on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. After leaving Virgin Records, she released her tenth album, Discipline (2008), with Island Records. In 2015, she started her own record label, Rhythm Nation, with BMG Rights Management. She then released her eleventh album, Unbreakable. Since then, she has continued to release music as an independent artist.

Janet Jackson has sold over 100 million records. This makes her one of the best-selling music artists in the world. She holds a record for the most consecutive top-ten songs on the US Billboard Hot 100 by a female artist (18). She is also the only artist to have seven songs from one album (Rhythm Nation 1814) reach the top five. In 2008, Billboard ranked her seventh on their list of the Hot 100 All-Time Top Artists. In 2019, she was welcomed into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Janet Jackson's Early Life and Career

Growing Up in the Jackson Family

Jackson (bottom row) in a 1977 CBS photo on the set of The Jacksons

Janet Damita Jo Jackson was born on May 16, 1966, in Gary, Indiana. She was the youngest of ten children in the famous Jackson family. Her parents were Katherine Esther Jackson and Joseph Walter "Joe" Jackson. Janet grew up with two sisters and six brothers, including her famous brother Michael.

When Janet was young, her brothers started performing as the Jackson 5. They signed a record deal and soon had a number-one hit song. The family then moved to Los Angeles. Janet first wanted to be a horse racing jockey or a lawyer. But she soon decided to follow her family into entertainment.

At age seven, Janet and her brother Randy performed in Las Vegas. She began acting in the TV variety show The Jacksons in 1976.

Becoming a TV Star

In 1977, Janet got a starring role as Penny Gordon Woods in the TV show Good Times. She later appeared in A New Kind of Family. She also had a regular role on Diff'rent Strokes, playing Charlene Duprey from 1980 to 1984. Janet also played Cleo Hewitt in the show Fame.

When Janet was sixteen, her father helped her get a music contract with A&M Records. Her first album, Janet Jackson, came out in 1982. It reached No. 63 on the Billboard 200 chart. Her second album, Dream Street, was released two years later. Both albums had a bubblegum pop music style.

Taking Control of Her Music

Breaking Free with Control

After her second album, Janet decided to take charge of her career. She wanted to be independent from her family's business. She said, "I just wanted to get out of the house, get out from under my father." Janet teamed up with producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. They wanted to create music that would appeal to both pop and urban music fans.

In just six weeks, Janet and the producers created her third album, Control. It was released in February 1986. The album quickly went to No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart. It sold over ten million copies worldwide. Control was praised for being "remarkably nervy and mature" for a young artist. It included songs about empowerment and taking charge of your own life.

The album had five top-five hit songs: "What Have You Done for Me Lately", "Nasty", "When I Think of You", "Control", and "Let's Wait Awhile". "When I Think of You" was her first song to reach No. 1 on the Hot 100 chart. Control won many awards, including six Billboard Awards and four American Music Awards.

This album helped Janet become a star in her own right. The music mixed dance-pop and industrial music with hip-hop and R&B. This mix helped create the new jack swing music style. The music videos for the album's songs were very popular on MTV. They also helped a dancer named Paula Abdul get her own music contract. Billboard said Janet's music and videos helped MTV play more than just rock music.

Rhythm Nation 1814: Music with a Message

In September 1989, Janet released her fourth album, Rhythm Nation 1814. Her record label wanted another album like Control. But Janet wanted to include songs with social messages. She said, "I just want my music and my dance to catch the audience's attention, and to hold it long enough for them to listen to the lyrics." The album's main message was about unity. It was inspired by different crimes and sad events in the news.

The album reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and sold over 12 million copies worldwide. Rolling Stone magazine noted that Janet's music changed from personal freedom to bigger issues like injustice and crime. The album had seven top-five hit songs, including "Miss You Much", "Rhythm Nation", and "Love Will Never Do (Without You)". It was the first album in history to have number-one hits in three different years.

The "Rhythm Nation" music video is famous for its dance moves and warehouse setting. Janet's military-style outfit in the video also made her a fashion icon. Rhythm Nation 1814 was the best-selling album of 1990. It won fifteen Billboard Awards. The "Rhythm Nation" music video also won a Grammy Award.

Janet's Rhythm Nation World Tour 1990 was very successful. It set a record for selling out tickets fastest in Japan's Tokyo Dome. Janet also started the "Rhythm Nation Scholarship". She donated money from her tour to help with education programs. People recognized Janet for the positive impact of her music. She also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

In 1991, Janet signed a huge new contract with Virgin Records. This deal made her the highest-paid recording artist at the time. It also helped her earn the nickname "Queen of Pop".

Expanding Her Reach: Film and New Sounds

Janet and Poetic Justice Success

Janet's fifth album, Janet, came out in May 1993. It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. This made Janet the first female artist to do so in the Nielsen SoundScan era. The album sold over 14 million copies worldwide.

Janet had many hit songs, including "That's the Way Love Goes". This song won a Grammy Award and was number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for eight weeks. "Again" also reached number one. The album explored different music styles like contemporary R&B, deep house, swing jazz, and hip hop. Janet took a bigger role in writing songs and producing this album.

In July 1993, Janet made her movie debut in Poetic Justice. Her performance was praised, and her song "Again" from the film was nominated for an Academy Award.

Janet's Janet World Tour was known for its amazing showmanship. It was like a mix of a big pop concert and a full theater show.

In 1995, Janet worked with her brother Michael on the song "Scream". The song's music video was very expensive to make. It won a Grammy Award for Best Short Form Music Video.

Janet's first collection of greatest hits, Design of a Decade: 1986–1996, came out in 1995. It reached number three on the Billboard 200. The song "Runaway" was the first song by a female artist to debut in the top ten of the Hot 100.

Janet signed another contract with Virgin Records for a reported $80 million. This made her the highest-paid recording artist in history at that time.

The Velvet Rope and Global Tours

Jackson in 1998

Janet's sixth album, The Velvet Rope, was released in October 1997. She showed a new look with red hair, nose piercings, and tattoos. The album was about everyone's need to feel like they belong.

Critics called the album "her most daring, elaborate and accomplished." It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and sold over ten million copies worldwide. The song "Together Again" became Janet's eighth number-one hit. It sold six million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling singles of all time.

The Velvet Rope also won an award for "Outstanding Music Album" at the GLAAD Media Awards. A part of the money from "Together Again" was given to the American Foundation for AIDS Research.

Janet went on The Velvet Rope Tour around the world. The tour was praised for its amazing theater, dance, and Janet's singing. It was like a Broadway musical. The HBO special of the concert, The Velvet Rope: Live in Madison Square Garden, was watched by over fifteen million people. It also won an Emmy Award. Janet donated some of the tour's money to America's Promise, an organization that helps young people.

Janet also sang on other artists' songs, like "Luv Me, Luv Me" with Shaggy and "What's It Gonna Be?!" with Busta Rhymes. In 1999, Janet received the Legend Award at the World Music Awards for her great contributions to pop music.

New Millennium, New Achievements

Nutty Professor II and All for You

In July 2000, Janet starred in her second film, Nutty Professor II: The Klumps, with Eddie Murphy. The movie was a hit, earning about $170 million worldwide. Janet's song "Doesn't Really Matter" from the film's soundtrack became her ninth number-one song.

Before her seventh album came out, MTV honored Janet with their first "MTV Icon" special. This celebrated her huge impact on music and pop culture. The American Music Awards also gave Janet an Award of Merit for her successful and socially aware albums.

Janet's seventh album, All for You, was released in April 2001. It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. It sold 605,000 copies in its first week, which was her highest first-week sales ever. The album was a return to an upbeat dance style and was well-received. All for You sold nine million copies worldwide.

The main song from the album, "All for You", broke records for how much it was played on the radio. It was added to almost every pop, rhythmic, and urban radio station in its first week. The song was number one on the Hot 100 for seven weeks. It also won a Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording.

In July 2001, Janet went on the All for You Tour. The tour traveled across the United States and Japan. Janet donated some of the tour's money to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

Super Bowl and Damita Jo

In February 2004, Janet was chosen to perform at the Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show. She performed a mix of her songs, including "All for You" and "Rhythm Nation". She also performed "Rock Your Body" with special guest Justin Timberlake.

Janet's eighth album, Damita Jo, was released in March 2004. It was named after her middle name. The album debuted at number two on the Billboard 200. It received good reviews for its sound and Janet's singing.

Janet received many awards around this time. These included the "Legend Award" at the Radio Music Awards and a "Lifetime Achievement Award" at the Soul Train Music Awards. In 2005, she received a Humanitarian Award for her work raising money for charities that help with AIDS.

20 Y.O. and Acting Roles

Jackson promoting her 2006 studio album, 20 Y.O.

Janet started recording her ninth album, 20 Y.O., in 2005. The album's title referred to the twenty years since her breakthrough album Control. It was meant to celebrate her freedom and unique music style.

20 Y.O. was released in September 2006 and debuted at number two on the Billboard 200. The main song, "Call on Me", featured rapper Nelly. It reached number one on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. 20 Y.O. sold 1.5 million copies worldwide and was nominated for a Grammy.

In 2007, Janet starred in the film Why Did I Get Married?. It was her third movie in a row to open at number one at the box office.

Discipline and Family Loss

Jackson performing during the 2008 Rock Witchu Tour

Janet signed with Island Records and released her tenth album, Discipline, in February 2008. It opened at number one. The first song, "Feedback", reached number nineteen on the Hot 100.

In February 2008, Janet won an Image Award for her role in Why Did I Get Married?. She also received the Vanguard Award at the GLAAD Media Awards. This award honored her work in promoting equal rights for the gay community.

Janet's fifth concert tour, the Rock Witchu Tour, began in September 2008. Later, Janet left Island Records.

In June 2009, Janet's brother Michael passed away. She spoke publicly about his death at the 2009 BET Awards. She said, "to you, Michael is an icon, to us, Michael is family. And he will forever live in all of our hearts." She focused on work to help her deal with the sadness.

Several months later, Janet performed a tribute to Michael at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards. She performed their duet "Scream". Critics praised her performance.

Janet's second greatest hits album, Number Ones, was released in November 2009. The song "Make Me" became Janet's nineteenth number one on the Hot Dance Club Songs chart. This made her the first artist to have number-one songs in four different decades.

Janet also helped raise money for amfAR, an organization that fights AIDS.

Recent Projects and Recognition

Film Roles and True You Book

In April 2010, Janet starred in the movie Why Did I Get Married Too?, a sequel to her earlier film. Her performance was praised, and she won an Image Award. Janet also recorded the film's theme song, "Nothing".

In November 2010, Janet starred as Joanna in the drama For Colored Girls. Her acting in the film was well-received.

Jackson performing during the 2011 Number Ones, Up Close and Personal tour

Janet announced plans for her biggest world tour, called Number Ones, Up Close and Personal. She performed in thirty-five cities around the world. During the tour, Janet performed thirty-five number-one hits.

Janet released a self-help book called True You: A Journey to Finding and Loving Yourself in February 2011. It talked about her struggles with weight and confidence. The book became a New York Times Best Seller. She also signed a film production deal with Lions Gate Entertainment.

Janet became the first female pop singer to perform at the Louvre Museum in Paris. She helped raise money to restore famous artworks. She also partnered with the fashion line Blackglama to release a collection of luxury products.

In 2012, Janet supported Nutrisystem, a weight-loss program. She donated ten million dollars in meals to help hungry people. She was also honored by amfAR for her work in AIDS research.

Unbreakable and Hall of Fame Induction

On May 16, 2015, Janet announced plans for a new album and a world tour. She planned to release her new album, Unbreakable, under her own record label, Rhythm Nation. This made Janet one of the few Black female musicians to own a record label.

On June 22, the song "No Sleeep" was released from the album. It became her 40th song to enter the Hot 100 chart. The album version featuring J. Cole reached number one on the Adult R&B Songs chart.

Jackson performing during the 2015–16 Unbreakable Tour

BET gave Janet their first Ultimate Icon: Music Dance Visual award at the BET Awards 2015. This included a dance tribute to her by other artists. Janet also launched a luxury jewelry line called the "Janet Jackson Unbreakable Diamonds collection."

Unbreakable was released on October 2, 2015. It received very positive reviews. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. This was her seventh album to top the chart in the United States. The following week, she was nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

In April 2016, Janet announced she was "planning her family" and postponed her tour. In January 2017, at age 50, Janet gave birth to her son, Eissa Al Mana. In April 2017, it was reported that she and her husband had separated.

On May 1, 2017, Janet announced she would restart her tour, now called the State of the World Tour. The tour focused on social messages from her songs, like racism and police brutality. The tour received great reviews. Janet donated money from a concert in Houston to help people affected by Hurricane Harvey.

In May 2018, Janet received the Billboard Icon Award at the 2018 Billboard Music Awards. She also released a new song, "Made for Now", with Daddy Yankee. In December 2018, Janet was announced as one of the inductees for the 2019 class of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

In February 2019, Janet announced a Las Vegas show called Metamorphosis. She also performed at various festivals, including the Glastonbury Festival.

Documentaries and Recent Tours

Janet was planning the Black Diamond World Tour in 2020, but it was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She also announced her upcoming twelfth album, Black Diamond.

A two-part documentary called Janet Jackson premiered in January 2022. Janet also previewed a new song, "Luv I Luv", at the end of her documentary.

In December 2022, Janet announced her Together Again Tour, which started in April 2023. She also hinted at new music. In March 2023, a follow-up documentary series, Janet Jackson: Family First, was announced. It will show Janet preparing for her tour and working with her brother Randy to reunite the family band.

In August 2024, Janet announced a new Las Vegas concert show, Janet Jackson: Las Vegas, starting in December 2024.

Janet Jackson's Artistry

Music and Voice

Janet Jackson has a mezzo-soprano vocal range. Some critics have noted that her voice is not as strong as other singers like Whitney Houston. However, her producers focused on her strong beats, catchy melodies, and excellent production.

Janet's music has covered many different styles. Her songs from the 1980s were influenced by artists like Prince. She mixed funk and disco with synthesizers and hip-hop sounds. She is known for helping to create the new jack swing genre.

Janet's songs often have deep meanings. Her early lyrics talked about self-actualization, female strength, and political ideas. Control was like a story about her life, becoming independent from her parents and her first marriage. Rhythm Nation 1814 was about hope and the idea that everyone can live the American Dream.

Videos and Stage Performances

Janet gets ideas for her music videos and performances from musicals she watched as a child. She was greatly influenced by choreographers like Fred Astaire. Throughout her career, she has worked with and helped many choreographers become famous, like Tina Landon and Paula Abdul. Many pop artists today are inspired by Janet's dance moves and style.

Janet's music videos helped make her famous. Her video for "Rhythm Nation" is considered one of the most iconic and popular in history. She received the MTV Video Vanguard Award for her contributions to music videos. She was also the first person honored with the MTV Icon tribute.

Janet's concerts are known for being like big, exciting shows. They are often compared to Broadway musicals because of their amazing sets, special effects, and dance routines. She has a reputation as a world-class performer.

While some critics have noted that Janet sometimes uses pre-recorded vocals during her energetic dance routines, others say it's necessary because of how much she dances. In her "Number Ones: Up Close and Personal" tour, she performed in smaller venues and sang live more often. Critics said her voice still had "laserlike precision."

Influences on Her Music

Janet says Lena Horne is a big inspiration for her and other entertainers. She also looks up to Dorothy Dandridge.

Janet is a big fan of Joni Mitchell. She says Mitchell's songs spoke to her personally when she was a kid. She also respects Tina Turner for her strength. Other artists who have inspired Janet include Tracy Chapman, Sly and the Family Stone, U2, and Bob Dylan.

Early in her career, Janet said her brothers Michael and Jermaine Jackson influenced her music. Other artists who influenced her include the Ronettes, Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, and Prince.

Janet Jackson's Impact

Janet Jackson, the youngest sister of the famous Jackson family, has created her own unique path in music. She is known as the "Queen of Pop" because of her amazing artistry and business ventures.

Janet is also recognized for helping to break down racial barriers in the music industry. She showed that Black artists could be just as successful as anyone else.

In March 2008, it was reported that Janet Jackson was one of the top ten best-selling artists in modern music history. Billboard magazine ranked her as the ninth most successful act in rock and roll history. She is the second most successful female artist in pop music history. She is the only female artist to have 18 consecutive top ten hit songs on the Hot 100 chart.

In November 2010, Billboard ranked her fifth among the "Top 50 R&B/Hip-Hop Artists of the Past 25 Years." She has the most number-one songs on that chart, with 15 number ones. She has also won eleven Billboard Music Awards.

In November 2014, VH1.com's online poll voted Janet Jackson the 'Queen of Pop'. In 2019, she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Janet's music and dance moves have inspired many performers.

In 2021, the TV show Dancing with the Stars had a "Janet Jackson Night". This was a special tribute to her music and impact.

Personal Life

At age 18, Janet Jackson married singer James DeBarge in September 1984. Their marriage was ended in November 1985. In 1986, Janet started dating dancer and director René Elizondo Jr.. They married secretly in March 1991. Their marriage was kept private until their divorce became public in 2003. From 2002 to 2009, Janet dated music producer Jermaine Dupri.

Janet met businessman Wissam Al Mana in 2006. They started dating in 2010 and married privately in 2012. In January 2017, when she was 50, Janet gave birth to their son, Eissa Al Mana. In April 2017, it was reported that the couple had separated.

Comments on Kamala Harris

In September 2024, Janet Jackson gave an interview to The Guardian. During the interview, she made a comment about U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris. Janet said she heard that Kamala Harris was "not Black" because her father was white. Kamala Harris's father, Donald J. Harris, is from Jamaica. Later, a statement was released by someone who claimed to be Janet's manager. This statement said Janet was apologizing and taking back her comments. However, it was later found that this person was not allowed to speak for Janet.

Discography

Studio albums

• Janet Jackson (1982)
• Dream Street (1984)
• Control (1986)
• Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814 (1989)
• Janet (1993)
• The Velvet Rope (1997)
• All for You (2001)
• Damita Jo (2004)
• 20 Y.O. (2006)
• Discipline (2008)
• Unbreakable (2015)

Filmography

• Good Times (1977–1979)
• Diff'rent Strokes (1980–1984)
• Fame (1984–1985)
• Rhythm Nation 1814 (1989)
• Poetic Justice (1993)
• Nutty Professor II: The Klumps (2000)
• Why Did I Get Married? (2007)
• Why Did I Get Married Too? (2010)
• For Colored Girls (2010)
• Janet Jackson (2022)

Tours and Residencies

Concert tours

• Rhythm Nation World Tour 1990 (1990)
• Janet. World Tour (1993–1995)
• The Velvet Rope Tour (1998–1999)
• All for You Tour (2001–2002)
• Rock Witchu Tour (2008)
• Number Ones, Up Close and Personal World Tour (2011)
• Unbreakable World Tour (2015–2016)
• State of the World Tour (2017–2019)
• Janet Jackson: A Special 30th Anniversary Celebration of Rhythm Nation (2019)
• Together Again Tour (2023–2024)

Concert residencies

• Janet Jackson: Metamorphosis (2019)
• Janet Jackson: Las Vegas (2024–2025)

Written Works

• True You (2011)

See Also

In Spanish: Janet Jackson para niños

• List of best-selling music artists
• List of dancers