Janet Jackson AP Photo/Antonio Calanni, file)
Pop Diva Janet Jackson still cant believe her brother King of Pop Michael Jackson is gone. She was in her home in New York when she got the tragic news. Her assistant came to her and said “Michael has collapsed... Your brothers been taken to the hospital”...”I didn't know the severity of it, no one knew.”
Since his passing Jackson says she has experienced “some closure” with the public and private memorial services. When asked to reflect on her last “virtual performance” with Michael on the jumbo-tron said Jackson “I was thinking of Michael, and hoping that I put a smile on his face”. (see video below)
Janet Jackson debuted at the age of 7 with her brothers on the Jackson's Variety show. She appeared as a Mae West impersonator and showed she had what it takes with her dead on performance of West's vice and mannerisms. When asked about her childhood in the Jackson home her father Joe Jackson and allegations of abuse always arise. Janet says given the choice of abuse or old school discipline that her father “Joe” was old school. She credits her Father with directing her career from acting in shows such as Different strokes ,and Fame back into music full time .
At age 18 she was married pop star James DeBarge against her families wishes. The marriage only lasted 3 months due to husband DeBarge’s alleged drug abuse. This experience gave her insight into the problems of substance abuse, and a desire to help people with drug addictions.
Said Jackson the family tired to intervene for her brother Michael...”The family tried to help ,those are the things you do when you love somebody. You can’t just let them continue on that way. And we did a few times ..we weren’t very successful.”
Later she secretly married long time friend Renee Alazondo who tried to extort money from her with threats of a “tell all” book. Her more recent relationship with Jermaine Dupree seems to be the most positive. Although their on again off again relationship is now off says Jackson “ I adore Jermaine, and I love him to death, we’re still friends. I am single and loving my work.”
Lots of hard work in the studio, working with choreographer/ pop star Paula Abdul earned Janet Jackson 41 chart-busting singles so far . Even with all her success she suffered from depression and a lifelong battle with her weight. This has inspired Janet to write a book. In it she plans to share her battle and her issue growing up. “I was teased, I think it affects you when you're told your not supposed t look like that, you’re supposed to look like this..” She cites Dupree with “making me feel very comfortable with me” Now she says her best assets are the small of her back and her smile.
Janet and her brother Michael were very close he even called her "Dunk" as aterm of endearment. In 1993 she was thrilled to present her brother Michael with the Grammy Legend award. Janet stood by her brother during his battle against allegations of molestation. They also recorded “Scream” during that period. She says she and her family never knew of Michael's Propofol use, or Conrad Murray the Doctor who alledgedly administered it. She thinks Dr Murray should be held responsible for his actions and that he should not be practicing medicine. Says Jackson “Why so this can happen to someone else ...another family?
She has not seen “This is it” , and says she doesn’t know if she can ever see it. Even seeing the poster is emotional for her. She says the children Prince, Paris, and Blanketare doing very well, but the “pain will still always be there”. I keep waiting for the phone to ring and hear hear “Dunk it’s me” .
A true Jackson she finds solace in her work, going back her role in Tyler Perry’s "Why did I get married". She plans to re-focus on her acting. She says Michael gave her this advice years ago “To just stop and enjoy what we’ve just done and what we've accomplished and to be proud of that” I’d love to have a family... I am in a different space...there’s a lot thats gone on.... a lot that makes you think.....think about life , something that I think at times we tend to take for granted.”
She is back to writing her own songs, and making new music she describes as “classic me, dance upbeat lots of harmonies. So far I’ve kept it light, but I am sure it’s gonna have it’s moments of getting a little heavier a little deeper lyrically.”
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Comments
Janet is so talented, I am sorry for her loss.....
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