The New Janet Jackson Documentary JANET Premieres This Week
Global icon Janet Jackson is opening up like never before. It has been a long time coming, and fans are ready.
JANET, the four-hour documentary event, will air on both Lifetime and A&E on Friday, January 28. The performer shared an extended trailer, giving fans insight into her highs and lows both personally and professionally. JANET features an array of high-profile cameos from fellow colleagues Paula Abdul, Mariah Carey, and Missy Elliott, and ends with artists Ciara, Janelle Monáe, and Teyana Taylor, who cite Jackson as a role model.
Janet’s story, in her own words. ❤️ this Tweet for a reminder of when #JanetJacksonDoc premieres Friday, January 28th at 8/7c.🎤 pic.twitter.com/HNVeDQkn37
— Lifetime (@lifetimetv) January 14, 2022
💜💜💜 @TEYANATAYLOR pic.twitter.com/5NdP9VFHCq
— Janet Jackson (@JanetJackson) December 10, 2021
Jackson candidly discusses her upbringing, growing up with a strict father figure who was determined to get his children in show business, knowing they had what it took to reach superstardom. In a poignant moment, the singer says, “There were times when I just didn’t understand where I actually fit in.” She describes how difficult it was for her to grow up during the Jackson 5 period.
The “Miss You Much” singer also explains the intense scrutiny that comes with being a Jackson, and the negative attention that gets attached to the famous last name. The interviewer asked if the allegations against her late brother, Michael Jackson (The King of Pop), affected her career in any way. She responds with a simple yes, adding “Guilty by association, that’s what they call it, right?”
Janet Jackson & Randy Jackson
— #JanetsLegacyMatters (@janetslegacy) December 12, 2019
“The Beat Goes On”
The Carol Burnett Show
Original Air Date: January 25th 1975
“In the Jackson 5 family everybody works.” 😂🤣😂 pic.twitter.com/Xp8d1kckpb
JANET will also address Jacksons’ controversial Super Bowl performance alongside Justin Timberlake, which resulted in her being banned from the Grammy Awards that year. She says, “They build you up and then once you get there, they’re so quick to tear you down.”
Watching the NYT/Hulu doc on Janet Jackson and the Superbowl *incident* at 7 am is not the best idea for a peaceful start to one’s vacation week
— Julie Westfall (@JulieWestfall) November 22, 2021
What a shameful sexist, misogynistic, racist episode this continues to be, still not even close to accounted for in the #MeToo era
Although these moments are intense, the legendary performer has also reached incredible heights personally and professionally. The singer became a mother in 2017. Jackson released her debut album in 1982, marking a four-decade career. She has also been the recipient of eleven American Music Awards, five Grammy Awards, ten MTV Video Music Awards, and 11 Billboard Music Awards, cementing her as one of the greats.
JANET has been in the making for five years, and after all of these long years, the world will know Janet Jackson’s truth. As the trailer teases, “This is the truth. Take it or leave it. Love it or hate it. This is me.” You do not want to miss JANET, the four-hour event airing on January 28 at 8 p.m. ET. The second part will air the following night at the same time.
Writer | Tweet me @court__giles
