Janet Jackson is a highly influential American singer, songwriter, actress, and dancer. Known for her innovative and provocative music, she broke gender and racial barriers on MTV, becoming a prominent figure in pop culture. Her work often addresses social issues and personal experiences, establishing her as a role model. She is celebrated for elaborate stage shows, captivating choreography, and a sound that significantly impacted the music industry.
On May 16, 1966, Janet Damita Jo Jackson was born. She later became a singer, songwriter, actress, and dancer known for her innovative, socially conscious, and sexually provocative work.
In March 1969, Janet Jackson's brothers, known as the Jackson 5, signed a record deal with Motown, marking a significant step in their career.
In 1972, Carly Simon released her hit song "You're So Vain", which was later sampled in Janet Jackson's song "Son of a Gun (I Betcha Think This Song Is About You)" in 2001.
In 1976, Janet Jackson began acting in the variety show The Jacksons.
In 1977, Janet Jackson was selected to star as Penny Gordon Woods in the sitcom Good Times, marking an early role in her acting career.
In 1982, Janet Jackson emerged as a recording artist, striving to distance her professional career from that of her older brother Michael and the rest of the Jackson family.
In 1982, Janet Jackson signed a recording contract with A&M Records, marking the beginning of her professional music career.
In 1982, Janet Jackson's debut album, Janet Jackson, was released on A&M Records, marking the start of her music career.
In 1983, Janet Jackson's album appeared on the Billboard Top Black Albums, and she was the highest-ranking female vocalist on the Billboard Year-End Black Album Artists list.
In September 1984, at age 18, Janet Jackson eloped with singer James DeBarge.
In November 1985, Janet Jackson's marriage to James DeBarge was annulled.
From 1985 to 2001, Janet Jackson garnered 27 top ten hits, and from 1985 through 2004 she achieved 33 consecutive top 40 hits.
In February 1986, Janet Jackson released her third studio album, Control, which quickly rose to No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and sold over ten million copies worldwide.
In 1986, Janet Jackson began dating dancer, songwriter, and director René Elizondo Jr.
In 1986, Janet Jackson released the album Control, marking a moment where she proclaimed herself in charge of her life.
In 1986, Janet Jackson released the album Control, which helped her become a pop icon.
Janet Jackson's million-selling albums in the 1980s, particularly 1986's Control, helped invent contemporary R&B through Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis's production.
The compilation Design of a Decade: 1986–1996 covers the period from 1986.
In September 1989, Janet Jackson released her fourth album, Rhythm Nation 1814, which included socially conscious themes among various musical styles.
In 1989, Janet Jackson released "Miss You Much", which started a streak of 18 consecutive top ten hit singles on the Hot 100 chart.
In 1989, Janet Jackson released the album Rhythm Nation 1814, further solidifying her status as a pop icon.
In 1989, Janet Jackson released the album Rhythm Nation 1814, using her rhythm army to fight society's problems.
Janet Jackson's million-selling albums in the 1980s, particularly 1989's Rhythm Nation 1814, helped invent contemporary R&B through Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis's production.
In 1990, Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation World Tour became the most successful debut tour in history and established the "Rhythm Nation Scholarship" to support educational programs. She was also recognized for the cultural impact of her music.
In 1990, Rhythm Nation 1814 became the highest selling album of the year, winning 15 Billboard Awards, and the short film won a Grammy Award.
In March 1991, Janet Jackson married dancer, songwriter, and director René Elizondo Jr., keeping the union secret until the divorce.
In 1991, Janet Jackson's recording contract with A&M Records was fulfilled, and she signed a multimillion-dollar deal with Virgin Records, making her the highest-paid recording artist at the time.
In 1992, Janet Jackson provided guest vocals on Luther Vandross's 'The Best Things in Life Are Free,' which became a top ten Billboard hit and reached the top ten internationally.
In May 1993, Janet Jackson released her fifth studio album, Janet, which opened at number one on the Billboard 200, making her the first female artist in the Nielsen SoundScan era to achieve this.
In July 1993, Janet Jackson made her film debut in Poetic Justice, and her ballad 'Again' was nominated for a Golden Globe and an Academy Award.
In September 1993, Janet Jackson appeared topless on the cover of Rolling Stone, with her breasts covered by her then-husband, René Elizondo Jr. The photo became iconic and was the original version of the Janet album cover.
In 1993, Janet Jackson began focusing on sexual themes in her music with the "Janet" album. This shift branded her as one of the most sexually stimulating vocalists of the 1990s.
In 1993, Janet Jackson starred in the film Poetic Justice, establishing her image as a sex symbol. That same year she released the album Janet.
In 1993, Janet Jackson utilized street dancing techniques in contrast to traditional choreography in her 30-minute Rhythm Nation 1814 film, visually embodying gender-neutral equality.
In 1995, Janet Jackson collaborated with Michael Jackson on 'Scream,' which was written as a response to media scrutiny and debuted at number five on the Hot 100.
In 1995, Janet Jackson's first compilation album, Design of a Decade: 1986–1996, was released.
In 1996, The lead single from the compilation album, “Runaway”, became the first song by a female artist to debut within the top ten of the Hot 100, reaching number three.
In 1996, the music video for "Scream" by Michael and Janet Jackson won the Grammy Award for Best Short Form Music Video.
In August 1997, Janet Jackson released "Got 'til It's Gone" as the lead single from her upcoming album. The song featured Joni Mitchell and Q-Tip.
In October 1997, Janet Jackson released her sixth album, The Velvet Rope, which chronicled her experiences with severe depression and anxiety.
In 1997, Janet Jackson released the album The Velvet Rope and continued to establish herself as a sex symbol.
In 1997, Janet Jackson's album "The Velvet Rope" explored the bonds of love and lust.
In 1998, Janet Jackson released "I Get Lonely", marking the end of her streak of 18 consecutive top ten hit singles on the Hot 100 chart, which began in 1989 with "Miss You Much".
In July 1999, Janet Jackson placed at number 77 on VH1's "100 Greatest Women of Rock and Roll".
In 1999, Janet Jackson received the Legend Award at the World Music Awards for her outstanding contribution to the pop industry. Billboard ranked her as the second most successful artist of the decade, behind Mariah Carey.
In July 2000, Janet Jackson appeared in her second film, Nutty Professor II: The Klumps, playing Professor Denise Gaines alongside Eddie Murphy. The film opened at number one and grossed an estimated $170 million worldwide. Jackson's single "Doesn't Really Matter", from the film's soundtrack, also became her ninth number-one single on the Hot 100.
In April 2001, Janet Jackson released her seventh album, All for You, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 with 605,000 copies sold in its first week. The album received positive reception for its upbeat dance style and was later certified double Platinum by the RIAA.
In July 2001, Janet Jackson commenced her All for You Tour, which included a concert special broadcast on HBO, attracting twelve million viewers. The tour encompassed venues throughout the United States and Japan, though scheduled European and Asian dates were later canceled due to the September 11 terrorist attacks. Jackson also donated a portion of the tour's proceeds to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
Between 1985 and 2001, Janet Jackson had 27 top ten hits on the Billboard charts.
In 2001, Janet Jackson was the subject of the first MTV Icon special, and she also became one of the few artists to have ten number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100.
From 2002, Janet Jackson dated music producer, rapper, and songwriter Jermaine Dupri.
In October 2003, Janet Jackson's divorce from René Elizondo Jr. was finalized after a settlement was reached regarding Elizondo's lawsuit.
In 2003, Slant Magazine named "Rhythm Nation" and "Got 'til It's Gone" among the 100 Greatest Music Videos of all time, ranked at number 87 and number 10, respectively.
In February 2004, Janet Jackson performed at the Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show. During a performance with Justin Timberlake, Timberlake tore open her costume, exposing her right breast to 140 million viewers. The incident became known as "nipple gate".
In March 2004, Janet Jackson released her eighth studio album, Damita Jo, which debuted at number two on the Billboard 200. The album received mixed to positive reviews and was certified Platinum by the RIAA within a month, selling over three million copies worldwide.
In November 2004, Janet Jackson was honored as a role model by 100 Black Men of America, Inc., receiving the organization's Artistic Achievement Award for her career achievements.
From 1985 through 2004, Janet Jackson achieved 33 consecutive top 40 hits on the Billboard charts.
In 2004, the Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show controversy led to industry blacklisting and reduced airplay for Janet Jackson due to the actions of Les Moonves, the then-CEO of CBS.
In June 2005, Janet Jackson received a Humanitarian Award from the Human Rights Campaign and AIDS Project Los Angeles for her involvement in raising money for AIDS charities.
In 2005, Janet Jackson began recording her ninth studio album, 20 Y.O., with producers Dupri, Jam, and Lewis, as a celebration of the joyful liberation and history-making musical style from her album Control.
In September 2006, Janet Jackson released her ninth studio album, 20 Y.O., which debuted at number two on the Billboard 200. The album received mixed reviews, with criticism directed towards the production and Jermaine Dupri's involvement.
In October 2006, Janet Jackson was introduced to Qatari businessman Wissam Al Mana.
In 2007, Janet Jackson starred opposite Tyler Perry in the film Why Did I Get Married?, playing a psychotherapist. The film opened at number one at the box office, grossing $60 million. Jackson's performance received mixed reviews, being praised for its "soft authority" but also described as "charming, yet bland".
In February 2008, Janet Jackson released her tenth studio album, Discipline, which debuted at number one. The album's first single "Feedback" peaked at number nineteen on the Hot 100 and nine on Pop Songs.
In February 2008, Janet Jackson won an Image Award for "Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture". She was also awarded the Vanguard Award at the 19th annual GLAAD Media Awards, honoring her contributions in promoting equal rights among the gay community.
In March 2008, Janet Jackson was recognized as one of the top ten selling artists in contemporary music history by Business Wire and Billboard magazine.
In September 2008, Janet Jackson's fifth concert tour, the Rock Witchu Tour, began. Also in September, Jackson parted with Island Records through mutual agreement, reportedly due to dissatisfaction with the label's handling of her album and its promotion.
In 2008, Billboard placed Janet Jackson at number seven on its list of the Hot 100 All-Time Top Artists.
In 2008, Janet Jackson released her tenth studio album, Discipline, which was her only album with Island Records.
In June 2009, Janet Jackson's brother Michael Jackson passed away at the age of fifty. Janet spoke publicly about his death at the 2009 BET Awards, expressing that Michael was an icon and family, and would forever live in their hearts.
In November 2009, Janet Jackson's second hits compilation album, Number Ones (retitled The Best internationally), was released. To promote the album, she performed a medley of hits at various events. The album's promotional single "Make Me" became Jackson's nineteenth number one on the Hot Dance Club Songs chart.
In 2009, Janet Jackson ended her relationship with music producer, rapper, and songwriter Jermaine Dupri.
In 2009, Janet Jackson performed a tribute to her brother Michael at the MTV Video Music Awards, singing their duet "Scream". The performance was lauded by critics as energetic and heartfelt.
In April 2010, Janet Jackson reprised her role in the sequel to Why Did I Get Married? titled Why Did I Get Married Too?. The film opened at number two, grossing sixty million. Janet Jackson's performance was hailed as "invigorating and oddly funny".
In November 2010, Billboard ranked Janet Jackson number five on its "Top 50 R&B / Hip-Hop Artists of the Past 25 Years" list.
In November 2010, Janet Jackson starred as Joanna in the drama For Colored Girls, a film adaptation of Ntozake Shange's 1975 play For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf. Jackson's portrayal was praised and likened to Meryl Streep's performance in The Devil Wears Prada.
In 2010, Billboard ranked Janet Jackson fifth among the 'Top 50 R&B/Hip-Hop Artists of the Past 25 Years'.
In 2010, Janet Jackson began dating Qatari businessman Wissam Al Mana.
In February 2011, Janet Jackson released the self-help book True You: A Journey to Finding and Loving Yourself, co-written with David Ritz. The book chronicled her struggle with weight and confidence and included letters from fans.
In 2011, "Rhythm Nation" was voted the tenth best music video of the 1980s by Billboard.
In 2012, Janet Jackson and Wissam Al Mana became engaged and married privately.
In 2012, Janet Jackson endorsed Nutrisystem, sponsoring their weight-loss program. Through the program, she donated ten million dollars in meals to the hungry. Also in 2012, she was honored by amfAR for her contributions to AIDS research while chairing the Cinema Against AIDS gala during the Cannes Film Festival and participated in a public service announcement for UNICEF to help starving children.
In November 2014, Janet Jackson was voted 'Queen of Pop' in an online poll conducted by VH1.com.
On May 16, 2015, Janet Jackson announced plans to release a new album in the fall and embark on a world concert tour. She also outlined her intention to release her new album under her own record label, Rhythm Nation, distributed by BMG Rights Management, establishing herself as one of the few African-American female musicians to own a record label.
On June 15, 2015, Janet Jackson announced the first set of dates for the North American leg of her Unbreakable World Tour. On June 22, the lead single "No Sleeep" was released from the album and debuted on the Hot 100 at number 67. The song went to number 1 on the Billboard + Twitter Trending 140 immediately following the release.
On September 3, 2015, Janet Jackson's album title track "Unbreakable" was released, debuting on Apple Music's Beats 1 radio station, hosted by Ebro Darden. The album was also made available for pre-order on iTunes the same day.
On September 24, 2015, Janet Jackson's song "Burnitup!" featuring Missy Elliott debuted on BBC Radio 1.
On October 2, 2015, Janet Jackson's album "Unbreakable" was released. It received largely positive reviews and debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, becoming her seventh album to top the chart in the United States.
In October 2015, Janet Jackson received her first nomination for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
In 2015, BET presented Janet Jackson with the inaugural Ultimate Icon: Music Dance Visual award at the BET Awards 2015, which featured a dance tribute to her. Also in 2015, she announced she would launch a luxury jewelry line called the "Janet Jackson Unbreakable Diamonds collection," and released a preview of a new song "The Great Forever", confirming the title of her eleventh studio album as Unbreakable.
In 2015, Janet Jackson partnered with BMG Rights Management to launch her own record label, Rhythm Nation, and released her eleventh studio album, Unbreakable.
On April 6, 2016, Janet Jackson announced that she was "planning her family" with husband Wissam Al Mana, resulting in her postponing her tour.
In 2016, Billboard named Janet Jackson the second most successful dance club artist.
In January 2017, at the age of 50, Janet Jackson gave birth to her son, Eissa Al Mana.
In April 2017, it was reported that Janet Jackson and Wissam Al Mana had separated and were pursuing a divorce, which Janet announced the following month.
On May 1, 2017, Janet Jackson announced she would resume her Unbreakable World Tour, now known as the State of the World Tour.
On September 7, 2017, Janet Jackson launched the revamped State of the World Tour. The tour focused on socially conscious messages from Jackson's music catalog and opened to positive critical reception.
On September 9, 2017, proceeds from Janet Jackson's concert at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas were donated to relief efforts supporting evacuees of Hurricane Harvey. She also met with Houston mayor Sylvester Turner and evacuees prior to the performance.
In May 2018, it was announced that Janet Jackson would receive the Billboard Icon Award at the 2018 Billboard Music Awards. In an interview for Billboard magazine, Jackson revealed that she was then working on new music.
On August 16, 2018, it was announced that Janet Jackson and Rhythm Nation had entered into a partnership with Cinq Music Group. The next day, Jackson released the single "Made for Now", a collaboration with Daddy Yankee.
In October 2018, Janet Jackson received her third nomination for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
On December 13, 2018, Janet Jackson was announced as one of the seven inductees of the 2019 class of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
On February 26, 2019, Janet Jackson announced a four-month Las Vegas residency entitled Metamorphosis, comprising fourteen shows at the Park Theater at Park MGM resort.
In November 2019 Janet Jackson performed a series of concerts in support of the 30th anniversary of the Rhythm Nation album in Welch Treasure Island Resort & Casino, San Francisco and Hawaii.
In 2019, Janet Jackson was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
In 2020, Janet Jackson's Black Diamond World Tour was postponed indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She also announced her upcoming twelfth studio album Black Diamond, which was scheduled for a 2020 release.
In 2020, Janet Jackson's album Rhythm Nation 1814 was chosen to be added to the Library of Congress' National Recording Registry, a tribute to the album's lasting legacy.
On March 24, 2021, the Library of Congress announced that Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814 had been added to the National Recording Registry's class of 2020, stating that the album still "resonates today".
In 2021, season 30, week 8, of Dancing with the Stars was themed "Janet Jackson Night" as a tribute to Janet Jackson.
On March 3, 2022, Janet Jackson was announced as a headliner of the 2022 Essence Music Festival in New Orleans.
On December 12, 2022, Janet Jackson announced she was going on tour again starting April 14, 2023, with her Together Again Tour and teased new music.
On March 8, 2023, Lifetime and A&E announced that it had greenlighted a follow-up documentary series, Janet Jackson: Family First. The series will follow Jackson as she prepares for her Together Again Tour as well as her and brother Randy's attempts to reunite the family band.
On April 14, 2023, Janet Jackson's Together Again Tour started.
On August 21, 2024, Janet Jackson announced a new Las Vegas concert residency, Janet Jackson: Las Vegas, which began on December 30, 2024.
In September 2024, during an interview with The Guardian, Janet Jackson claimed she heard that U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris was "not Black" because her father is white, which sparked some controversy.
On December 30, 2024, Janet Jackson's new Las Vegas concert residency, Janet Jackson: Las Vegas began.
On January 14, 2025, six additional shows for May of the same year were announced for Janet Jackson's Las Vegas residency.
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