Janet Jackson

Birthday: 16 May 1966, Gary, Indiana, USA

Birth Name: Janet Damita Jo Jackson

Height: 161 cm

Janet Damita Jo Jackson was born on May 16, 1966 in Gary, Indiana, to Katherine Jackson (née Katherine Esther Scruse) and Joe Jackson, a musician. She is the youngest of ten children. After her birth, her brothers formed a band later called The Jackson 5. She lived at home with her sisters, while her brothers and father lived an extravagant life in Los Angeles. She later moved in with them while her brothers were making a name for themselves, and signed a deal with Motown. Janet was in the shadow but later also made a name for herself.As she was touring, and making appearances with her brothers, and the rest of the family, she co-starred with the rest of them in "The Jacksons". In 1977, she got the part of Penny Gordon on "Good Times". That showed her acting abilities early on. She also made a few memorable appearances on the hit TV show "Diff'rent Strokes" as Charlene Dupree. Soon afterwards came her role on "Fame".She married boyfriend James Debarge, but they divorced just months later. She signed with A&M Records, and recorded her first solo album titled "Janet Jackson". The album did poorly on the music charts. Two years later she recorded "Dream Street" which turned out to be another disaster. A year later she signed on Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis to record a third album, this time called "Control". It was a hit, selling 5 million copies in the U.S. alone, spawning six hits, and the #1 "When I Think of You". Afterwards, she fired her father, her manager to truly gain control.Janet was determined to make this happen again. She then recorded "Rhythm Nation 1814". This time it sold 9 million copies in the U.S. - a bigger hit than "Control"! She happened to fall in love with a dancer named René Elizondo, Jr. from one of her sister's, LaToya Jackson's music video and later secretly married him in March of 1991. That same year she got a star on the Hollywood walk of fame. Janet went to work on her fifth album simply called "Janet.". It was her biggest hit to date selling over 10 million copies in the U.S. alone and includes her biggest hit single to date, "That's The Way Love Goes". Two years later she released a Greatest Hits album "Design of a Decade" which included two new hits "Runaway", and "Twenty-Foreplay". Her seventh album "The Velvet Rope" clarified her pop culture status.In the midst of the release of The Velvet Rope, she divorced Rene Elizendo, which is when it emerged they had been secretly married for eight years. Janet recorded her eighth album "All For You". Another hit. She was honored by MTV as an MTV Icon. In 2004, Janet went to work on her next album "Damita Jo" - it was another hit. Hide

Being from a famous family is a blessing. I'm challenged to live up to the expectations. I'm happy, Show more Being from a famous family is a blessing. I'm challenged to live up to the expectations. I'm happy, grateful for what I've inherited and excited about what I want to contribute. Hide

I have a pretty bad temper. But you have to really push me to see it. But everybody has their things Show more I have a pretty bad temper. But you have to really push me to see it. But everybody has their things. Hide

[on Jermaine Dupri] You know that it's something different when your whole family falls in love with Show more [on Jermaine Dupri] You know that it's something different when your whole family falls in love with him, when your brothers and sisters love him. And with me having eight brothers and sisters, there are some major eyes on him. And they all adore him. So that's really good. Hide

I was very independent growing up, but there were things that were bothering me that I never told an Show more I was very independent growing up, but there were things that were bothering me that I never told anybody. I would talk to our animals at home. We had fawns that Michael [brother Michael Jackson] and I raised until we weaned them and we'd feed them every morning. And I would talk to them... I felt they understood me. We had four dogs, and I would climb in the bushes and sit down and speak with them... and that's how I dealt with my life in the very, very beginning, when I was a kid. Hide

I had a pretty sexual imagination for a kid. I had a pretty sexual imagination for a kid.

People do see me as sweet and innocent. Not to say that I am not those things. But I have other side Show more People do see me as sweet and innocent. Not to say that I am not those things. But I have other sides to me. Hide

In complete darkness we are all the same, it is only our knowledge and wisdom that separates us, don Show more In complete darkness we are all the same, it is only our knowledge and wisdom that separates us, don't let your eyes deceive you. Hide

I am the baby in the family, and I always will be. I am actually very happy to have that position. B Show more I am the baby in the family, and I always will be. I am actually very happy to have that position. But I still get teased. I don't mind that. Hide

[on the day her father told her to stop calling him Dad] I will never forget that. I was really youn Show more [on the day her father told her to stop calling him Dad] I will never forget that. I was really young, about 6 or 7, and as a kid, that was very hurtful to me. I went through a lot, from age 15 to about 19 years. I was very young. I used to hurt so badly that I'd ask God, "Why, what have I done to deserve this?". Hide

Life is a journey, and I'm still walking it. And, like everyone, I'm going to have some days that ar Show more Life is a journey, and I'm still walking it. And, like everyone, I'm going to have some days that are better than others, some days that are tougher than others. But I'm in a much happier place, the happiest place I've ever been in my life, and that's why it feels so good to me, finally being able to say I do like who I am. Hide

All kids rebel. My way was to dye my hair half pink and half blue. It was a mess. All kids rebel. My way was to dye my hair half pink and half blue. It was a mess.

I kinda see everyone as competition. I'm a very competitive person. But I think that's good. Competi Show more I kinda see everyone as competition. I'm a very competitive person. But I think that's good. Competition is great. And as long as it's friendly and not a malicious thing, then I think it's cool. Hide

Self-expression is my goal, I want to be real with my feelings. Singing and dancing-and all the joy Show more Self-expression is my goal, I want to be real with my feelings. Singing and dancing-and all the joy that goes with performing- come from my heart. If I can't feel it, I won't do it. Hide

I was sheltered by my parents, work and school. I walked out into the world and saw things I'd only Show more I was sheltered by my parents, work and school. I walked out into the world and saw things I'd only read about. I learned the hard way. It was scary, but I saw I had two choices - sink or swim. I swam. And discovered I could actually make it to the shore, all on my own. Not that I wasn't frightened or didn't experience moments of panic. I did. Hide

The pain is necessary. Sometimes pain is the teacher we require, a hidden gift of healing and hope. The pain is necessary. Sometimes pain is the teacher we require, a hidden gift of healing and hope.

I've never been into what am I going to do next, trying to reinvent myself. I've never been into what am I going to do next, trying to reinvent myself.

To a world sick with racism, get well soon. To a world sick with racism, get well soon.

You don't have to hold onto the pain to hold onto the memory. You don't have to hold onto the pain to hold onto the memory.

After my disillusionment, I felt hollow inside, as though someone had scooped out my soul. It took a Show more After my disillusionment, I felt hollow inside, as though someone had scooped out my soul. It took a while, but deep within I discovered a core of determination I never knew existed. That's when I got serious about myself and my career. I saw what I needed to do, and I did it. Hide

There was also loneliness. I had few friends. Work consumed me. in some ways, it still does. There was also loneliness. I had few friends. Work consumed me. in some ways, it still does.

A lot of times I felt so alone. But I also thought there has to be other people that have experience Show more A lot of times I felt so alone. But I also thought there has to be other people that have experienced either what I have, or close to it. Hide

Getting back to that child and giving the child what the child may have missed - the reassurance of Show more Getting back to that child and giving the child what the child may have missed - the reassurance of a nourishing and accepting love, a love that says you are special - is hard work. It can be scary, but like the song says, we have to deal with the past to live completely -and freely - in the present. Hide

[on her 1997 recording "The Velvet Rope"] We're all driven to premieres or nightclubs and seen the r Show more [on her 1997 recording "The Velvet Rope"] We're all driven to premieres or nightclubs and seen the rope separating those who can enter and those who can't. Well, there's also a velvet rope we have inside of us, keeping others from knowing our feelings. In this album, I'm trying to expose and explore those feelings. I'm inviting you inside my barrier. During my life, I've been on both sides of the rope. At times, especially during my childhood, I felt left out and alone. At times, I felt misunderstood... But no human heard those feelings expressed. They stayed buried in the past. But now the truth has to come out, and for me, the truth takes the form of a song. Hide

My dad taught us that there's no greater distance than that between first and second place. My dad taught us that there's no greater distance than that between first and second place.

Big sisters and brothers... I am telling you, it never changes. Big sisters and brothers... I am telling you, it never changes.

We are a nation with no geographic boundaries, bound together through our beliefs, we are like minde Show more We are a nation with no geographic boundaries, bound together through our beliefs, we are like minded individuals sharing a common vision, pushing toward a world rid of color lines. Hide

I also experienced serious rejection. I auditioned for dozens of commercials, for example, but was n Show more I also experienced serious rejection. I auditioned for dozens of commercials, for example, but was never chosen. That might have devastated other children, but somehow my attitude was "Well if I don't get this one, I'll get the next." Looking back, I see I had a built-in toughness. Hide

I set out to please myself, hopefully in the end, the listeners will enjoy what I've created. I set out to please myself, hopefully in the end, the listeners will enjoy what I've created.

Another side to me is this very sexual being. When I look back on my life, it's always been there. I Show more Another side to me is this very sexual being. When I look back on my life, it's always been there. It's been there since I was 10 years old, having the imagination that I had. Hide

I love working with organizations. I love giving. I want to do more of that. You got to give back. I Show more I love working with organizations. I love giving. I want to do more of that. You got to give back. I love helping people, especially children. Hide

[on people disapproving of Jermaine Dupri] People need to stay out of other people's business. Hones Show more [on people disapproving of Jermaine Dupri] People need to stay out of other people's business. Honestly, how can they say what is a good match for me and what is a good match for him? They really don't know us. That's for us to decide. They need to stay out of other's people's business and deal with their own issues. Hide

If I wasn't singing, I'd probably be, probably an accountant. If I wasn't singing, I'd probably be, probably an accountant.

Pain like water it dry away so love come in without pain how can love think about. Pain like water it dry away so love come in without pain how can love think about.

[on Rene Elizondo] I've been very fortunate to have found someone who has been so incredibly caring. Show more [on Rene Elizondo] I've been very fortunate to have found someone who has been so incredibly caring... I don't think anybody else would have stuck around because I had some really difficult times... and I know he probably would wake up and say, "Okay, who is she today?". I think anyone else would have said, "You know what? I am out of here because I cannot take this." But he was there, right by my side the entire way. Hide

Freedom means choices. Freedom means choices.

I was never pushed into the religion by my mother or anyone else. I made up my own mind when I was o Show more I was never pushed into the religion by my mother or anyone else. I made up my own mind when I was old enough. I am not a religious person, but I am spiritual. But I don't believe in things like guilt. I believe in a higher power. I believe in inspiration. Hide

Dreams can become a reality when we possess a vision that is characterized by the willingness to wor Show more Dreams can become a reality when we possess a vision that is characterized by the willingness to work hard, a desire for excellence, and a belief in our right and our responsiblity to be equal members of society. Hide

We all have the need to feel special. We all have the need to feel special.

[1993 interview in Rolling Stone magazine] It made me so happy. On my song "Whoops Now", I even used Show more [1993 interview in Rolling Stone magazine] It made me so happy. On my song "Whoops Now", I even used the lyrics, "I'm out in the sun having fun with my friends". There's also The Turtles' "Happy Together" and The Association's "Windy" and Simon and Garfunkel's "Feelin' Groovy". Those songs are all precious moments to me. They're about just plain feeling good. Hide

We had the kind of night were morning comes to soon... we used the light from a flickering candle ac Show more We had the kind of night were morning comes to soon... we used the light from a flickering candle across the room to make the kind of shadows that only one thing could make... love. Hide

Janet Jackson's FILMOGRAPHY

as Actor (154)

The Carol Burnett Show - Season 6

The Tonight Show Fallon - Season 8

Dancing with the Stars - Season 27

Dancing with the Stars - Season 23

The Graham Norton Show - Season 21

The Carol Burnett Show - Season 8

Good Times - Season 2

The Carol Burnett Show - Season 7

Fame - Season 6

The X Factor - Season 14 (UK)