Detail

Janet Damita Jo Jackson was born on May 16, 1966 in Gary, Indiana, to Joe and Katherine Jackson. She grew up at a time when her brothers were fast becoming one of the biggest sensations in music history. As a result, Janet never had to endure the hardships her family experienced before the Jackson 5 became famous.

Janet was a tomboy until she discovered singing, dancing, and acting. It seemed only natural that the youngest of nine children make her showbiz debut on her brothers’ Vegas Act in 1974 . At age 11, she became an actor on the CBS hit series Good Times, playing Penny Gordon Woods. She was on the show for two years before appearing in Diff’rent Strokes.

The most protected child in the family, Janet received constant direction from her father. At 16, he guided her through the release of her self-titled debut album on A&M Records. The album failed to light up the charts and soon after its release Janet returned to acting. In 1983, she landed a role on the TV series Fame.

Despite her parents’ strict supervision, Janet eloped with singer James Debarge at the age of eighteen. Eight months later, the marriage was annulled and Janet moved back home with her parents.

Janet released her second album, Dream Street, in 1984. After Dream Street also failed to put a dent in the charts, Janet took control of her career and for the first time worked without the guidance of her father. In 1986, she released her breakthrough third album, Control. On Control, Janet collaborated with producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis for what turned out to be a much sexier and groove-intensive album than either of her previous releases. With its urban hip-hop and R&B sound, Control became a massive hit, selling more than 4 million copies and yielding 5 Top Ten singles, including the #1 hit “When I Think of You.” The album established Janet not only as a bona fide pop star, but also as a strong, confident sexy woman.

Seventeen years after Control catapulted Janet to musical stardom, Janet’s sound and image continue to evolve. She has enjoyed millions in albums sales and countless chart-topping hits. She has gone on to become the highest paid singer in music history, surpassing even her brother Michael.