The two-night, four-hour documentary event, JANET JACKSON. premiered last night Friday, January 28, at 8 pm ET/PT, and part-two premiered Saturday, January 29 at 8 pm ET/PT on Lifetime & A&E.
This documentary allows the world to view JANET JACKSON in her most vulnerable state as she discusses the pivotal moments that shaped her life and career. After viewing Janet’s life story, here are some moments that spoke to me and provided revelation and insight from my perspective.
2300 Jackson Street
This song plays in my head every time I see the words, and I can hear Michael’s voice through and through. And contrary to popular belief, Janet revealed that 2300 Jackson street wasn’t named after the Jackson family. The road was established before the Jackson family moved to this historic home address in Gary, Indiana.
Michael Jackson’s Shadow
We can understand the frustration of Janet having to live in her brother, Michael Jackson’s, shadow and all the success, calamity, and notoriety that came with it. And being that Michael is cast into the forefront for a more extended period helped make this transition away from Michael’s shadow a little complicated. The countless interviews as fans are questioning Janet about Michael’s whereabouts most certainly lingered in her thoughts. Knowing that Janet, Randy, and Michael were so close growing up explains how their brother and sister bond could translate so well to the world. Nevertheless, Janet is still here representing her family proudly while holding some world records of her own beyond Michael’s success.
A Fool For Love
Seeing Janet talk about her relationship with her estranged ex-husband, James DeBarge, shed light on how her heart is still damaged by the betrayal of her innocence being mishandled. Baby, those tears she shed were painful remnants of a love lost and stolen by drug abuse. Janet’s honesty in recognizing that she is somehow attracted to men with addiction problems signified her need and desire to help those she loved desparately. It was then that she stated, “I realized that I wasn’t the help that he needed,” broke ground for her deliverance and freedom towards an annulment. Then seeing her relationship and marriage to Rene dwindle was heartbreaking but liberating at the same time. This documentary revealed that when Janet says enough is enough, she is not afraid to pack up her ish and call it quits. Even when it appears that she is losing her grip, Janet will always be the one in control.
Man vs. Machine
To hear Janet open up about how her relationship with her brother Michael became tainted by the people surrounding him became an eye-opening moment. The scene in which she describes how after “Thriller” came out, that was when the change in their close relationship appeared, and Michael came into her room and didn’t say a word. This silence was an unusual occurrence between them both. Isn’t it something to know that as fans watching the “Scream” video, things appear to be excellent, yet this was a tumultuous and challenging time for Janet to process as a sister being there for her brother in his time of need? This recollection reminds me of the man vs. machine premise of valuing what someone can give as a talented Icon versus honoring who they are as a human being. Unfortunately, the people around Micahel Jackson did not honor his relationship with his family.
The Process of Forgiveness
Ironically, on the night of Janet Jackson’s 2018 Super Bowl performance in Houston, I was there that night at the stadium. As a former dancer/performer for the Super Bowl, we didn’t learn about the scandal until after it happened, and even then, we were surprised to hear all the backlash because of it. And to know that Janet Jackson took the fall for this accident and told Justin Timberlake not to speak out or say anything proves how protective she is of those around her. But as a Black woman, I am still bothered that Janet’s career suffered because of this act, and Timberlake walked away unscathed. Janet wasn’t the only person standing on that stage. Somehow we wish Timberlake could have spoken out publicly on Janet’s behalf, even if she told him not to. Forgiveness is a process and not an event, so it will take fans more time to get over how Janet was treated overall.
Overall I would like to thank Janet Jackson for sharing her story. We needed this history told by the one and only Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member herself, Janet Jackson. And let us not forget a short list of the record-breaking accomplishments Janet still holds to this day as follows:
- Sold 180 million records worldwide
- Sold 8 million records without a tour or going out in public
- Rhythm Nation is the only album to have 7 Top 5 singles on Billboard charts
- Highest paid recording artist ever when signed to Virgin Records
- Highest-grossing debut tour (Rhythm Nation) in the history of music
ABOUT JANET JACKSON.
With no stone left unturned, JANET JACKSON. lifts the lid on her private life for the very first time and reveals the most intimate moments of the star ever caught on camera. The two-night, four-hour documentary event joins Janet as her family is going through another extremely difficult time, mourning the loss of her father Joseph, the pivotal figure in the Jackson dynasty. The documentary details Janet’s return to the world stage following a sudden break from music. Speaking like never before, Janet also discusses everything including her Superbowl appearance with Justin Timberlake in 2004, the death of her brother Michael and becoming a mother later in life. And with her own romantic relationship having broken down, she starts to look back at her own life and reflect on her fight to the top.
