Janet Jackson: A Deep Dive into Her Life and Career

Janet Jackson is retaking control of her own narrative. More than three decades after her blockbuster third album, “Control,” heralded her as one of the biggest pop stars of her generation, the intensely private performer has a new documentary coming January 28 on Lifetime and A&E.

The film, titled simply “Janet Jackson,” explores her musical legacy and her role as a cultural icon. It also addresses some of the biggest questions about her life and career, including her relationship with her late brother Michael and the aftermath of the 2004 Super Bowl halftime show in which Justin Timberlake briefly exposed her breast.

“It’s just something that needs to be done,” she says in a trailer for the two-part documentary, explaining why she approved the project and signed on as an executive producer.

Musical Achievements and Cultural Impact

Jackson has won five Grammys, sold more than 100 million records, appeared in movies, and been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. However, the Super Bowl incident, dubbed “Nipplegate,” damaged her career—unfairly, in the eyes of many fans—and reportedly ended some of her acting opportunities.

Moreover, she has been steadfastly supportive of Michael Jackson, her extremely talented but troubled older brother, who died in 2009 and whose later career was overshadowed by allegations of sexual abuse.

Continuing Her Journey

In recent years, Janet Jackson has continued to record and tour, although she has largely kept a lower profile since the Super Bowl fiasco. In 2017, at age 50, she gave birth to her first child, a son, with then-husband Wissam Al Mana.

Industry Recognition and Influence

In the documentary, Janet Jackson’s peers describe her as a “legend, warrior, blueprint, and greatest show woman.” Her songs have changed the sound, choreography, and presentation of pop music, consequently ensuring that her influence continues to resonate.