Singer and music sensation Janet Jackson may be fast approaching 50, but she‘s still going strong. With the success of her most recent album Unbreakable, it’s clear that there’s no stopping Jackson now. Here, PPcorn presents 15 facts you probably didn’t know about Janet Jackson.
Number Fifteen: She Was Meant to Play Lena Horne
Jackson was slated to play Lena Horne in a biopic that would be released in 2004. However, after her infamous Super Bowl nip slip, Lena herself changed her mind.
Number Fourteen: She Is a Jehovah’s Witness
Yes, it’s true! Growing up, Jackson and all of her siblings (Michael included) were raised as Jehovah’s Witnesses. They even had to go door to door.
Number Thirteen: Her Favorite Singers Are…
Ella Fitzgerald and Marvin Gaye are Jackson’s two favorite singers. And who can blame her?! They both have an insane amount of talent.
Number Twelve: She Has an Interesting Connection to Stevie Wonder
In the film Jackson stars in, Poetic Justice, one scene involves her character listening to a Stevie Wonder song, “Never Dreamed You’d Leave in Summer.” Little did Jackson know that Wonder would perform that very same song 16 years later – at her brother Michael’s funeral.
Number Eleven: She Is Extremely Successful
Jackson is the second most successful artist on the Billboard Dance/Club Play Chart! So, who beat her out? You may have guessed it already – Madonna.
Number Ten: She Almost Starred Opposite Keanu Reeves
Jackson turned down an offer to play a role in 1999’s The Matrix just so she could go on a concert tour. The tour was her Velvet Rope concert tour, and it ended in January of 1999.
Number Nine: “Again” – Again
For Jackson’s video of her song “Again,” she wanted to be wearing her pajamas when she was sitting next to her bed. She wanted to be doing this because she was, in fact, wearing pajamas when she wrote the song for Poetic Justice. And isn’t that some poetic justice?
Number Eight: She Holds a Record for Her Tours
Jackson’s tour titled Rhythm Nation 1814 World Tour was the most successful debut tour from any artist at the time. Jackson clearly knew what she was doing from the very beginning.
Number Seven: She Is No Stranger to Eloping
In 1984, Jackson eloped with singer James DeBarge. They lived together at the Jackson’s ranch in Encino, California, but just several months later, she annulled the marriage.
Number Six: Janet Jackson Does Not Compete With Her Brother, But if She Did…
Jackson has posted just one fewer hit in the top 40 of Billboard‘s Hot 100 than her brother, Michael. The exact number is 37. She also has had 10 number one hits on Billboard‘s Hot 100.
Number Five: Her Success Has Been Consistent
Her third album, Control, was met with a lot of critical acclaim, In fact, it sold more than 10 million copies, and it contained five top five hits! These hits include “When I Think of You,” “Let’s Wait Awhile,” and “Nasty.”
Number Four: Janet Jackson Has a Nickname
Jackson’s nickname growing up was “Dunk.” And before you ask, no, it’s not because she could dunk a basketball. Apparently, she got the nickname when her brother Michael mentioned that her sturdy body resembles a donkey.
Number Three: She Had Humble Dreams
Though most people aspire to be a singer when they are little, Jackson actually aspired to work at McDonald’s. Specifically, she wanted to work at the drive-thru window. We’re guessing she’s probably not too disappointed with the way things turned out.
Number Two: She Was Hesitant to Collaborate With Michael
Apparently, Jackson was afraid that she would be pushed into a corner if she collaborated with then-more famous Michael. She said, “I felt I hadn’t come into my own and I hadn’t fully made a name for myself… and I didn’t want to ride anyone’s coattails.”
Number One: She Is One Powerful Woman
Jackson is the only woman ever to make five consecutive number-one studio albums on the Billboard charts. These albums are Control, Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation 1814, janet., The Velvet Rope and All for You.