Janet Jackson
Janet Damita Jo Jackson (born May 16, 1966) is an American singer, songwriter, dancer and actress. Known for a series of sonically innovative, socially conscious and sexually provocative records, as well as elaborate stage shows, television and film roles, she has been a prominent figure in popular culture for over 30 years. The youngest child of the Jackson family, she began her career with the variety television series The Jacksons in 1976 and went on to appear in other television shows throughout the 1970s and early 1980s, including Good Times and Fame.
After signing a recording contract with A&M Records in 1982, she became a pop icon following the release of her third studio album Control (1986). Her collaborations with record producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis incorporated elements of rhythm and blues, funk, disco, rap, and industrial beats, which led to crossover success in popular music. In addition to receiving recognition for the innovation in her records, choreography, music videos, and prominence on radio airplay and MTV, she was acknowledged as a role model for her socially conscious lyrics.
In 1991 she signed the first of two record-breaking, multimillion-dollar contracts with Virgin Records, establishing her as one of the highest paid artists in the industry. Her debut album under the label, Janet (1993), saw her develop a public image as a sex symbol as she began to explore sexuality in her work. That same year, she appeared in her first starring film role in Poetic Justice; since then she has continued to act in feature films. By the end of the 1990s, she was named the second most successful recording artist of the decade. The release of her seventh studio album All for You (2001) coincided with a celebration of her impact on popular music as the inaugural MTV Icon. After parting ways with Virgin she released her tenth studio album Discipline (2008), her first and only album with Island Records. In 2015 she partnered with BMG Rights Management to launch her own record label, Rhythm Nation.
Having sold over 160 million records, she is ranked as one of the best-selling artists in the history of contemporary music. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) lists her as the eleventh best-selling female artist in the United States, with 26 million certified albums. She has amassed an extensive catalog, with singles such as "Nasty", "Rhythm Nation", "That's the Way Love Goes", "Together Again" and "All for You" among her signature songs; she holds the record for the most consecutive top 10 hits on the US Billboard Hot 100 singles chart by a female artist with 18. In 2008 Billboard magazine released its list of the Hot 100 All-Time Top Artists, placing her at number seven, while in 2010, ranking her fifth among the "Top 50 R&B/Hip-Hop Artists of the Past 25 Years". One of the world's most awarded artists, her longevity, records and achievements reflect her influence in shaping and redefining the scope of popular music. She has been cited as an inspiration among numerous performers.
Photos
Films (39)
Michael Jackson's HIStory: The King of Pop 1958-2009
2026
Sly & The Family Stone : L'Héritage
2025
Thom Browne: The Man Who Tailors Dreams
2024 · Self
Janet Jackson: In Control
2024 · Self (archive footage)
Soul of a Nation Presents: Black in Vegas
2023 · Self
2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
2022 · Self - Presenter
Janet Jackson: Japanese Singles Collection - Greatest Hits
2022 · (archive footage)
Janet Jackson : avant et après le scandale du “Nipplegate"
2021 · Self (archive footage)
Michael Jackson : à la recherche de la vérité
2019 · Self (archive footage)
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2019 Induction Ceremony
2019 · Self
The Minnesota Sound
2019 · Self (archive footage)
The Savoy King: Chick Webb & the Music That Changed America
2012 · Ella Fitzgerald (voice)
For Colored Girls
2010 · Jo / Red
Why Did I Get Married Too?
2010 · Patricia, Songs
Michael Jackson: The Inside Story - What Killed the King of Pop?
2010 · Self (archive footage)
Michael Jackson Memorial
2009 · Self
The Michael Jackson Story
2009 · Self
Why Did I Get Married?
2007 · Patricia
Janet Jackson: Exposed
2007 · Self (archive footage)
Janet Jackson: From Janet. To Damita Jo: The Videos
2004 · Self, Musical
Michael Jackson's Private Home Movies
2003 · Self (archive footage)
Cher: The Farewell Tour
2003 · Self (archive footage)
AFI's 100 Years... 100 Passions: America's Greatest Love Stories
2002 · Self
Janet: Live in Hawaii
2002 · Self
The Concert for New York City
2001 · Self
MTV Icon: Janet Jackson
2001 · Self
La Famille Foldingue
2000 · Denise, Songs
Janet Jackson: The Velvet Rope Tour
1998 · Self, Creator, Executive Producer
HIStory on Film, Volume II
1997 · Herself
Janet Jackson: Design of a Decade 1986/1996
1995 · Self (archive footage)
Michael Jackson's Scream: HIStory in the Making
1995 · Self
Janet Jackson: janet.
1994
Michael Jackson: Dangerous - The Short Films
1993 · Self (uncredited)
RapLine
1993 · Self
Poetic Justice
1993 · Justice, Original Music Composer, Songs
Malcolm X
1992 · Self (uncredited), Thanks
Janet Jackson: Rhythm Nation World Tour 1990
1990 · Self
Janet Jackson: The Rhythm Nation Compilation
1990 · Self (archive footage)
Rock 'n' Roll Sports Classic
1978 · Self
Séries (48)
Sherri
2022 · Self - Guest
JANET JACKSON.
2022 · Self, Executive Producer
Unfiltered: Paris Jackson & Gabriel Glenn
2020 · Self (archive footage)
The Kelly Clarkson Show
2019 · Self
Michael Jackson : Leaving Neverland
2019 · Self (archive footage)
Le Tonight Show
2014 · Self - Guest
Radio Disney Music Awards
2013 · Self
Live from Studio Five
2009 · Self
The Graham Norton Show
2007 · Self
The Tyra Banks Show
2005
Dancing with the Stars
2005 · Thanks
On Air with Ryan Seacrest
2004 · Self
The Ellen DeGeneres Show
2003 · Self
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
2003 · Self
TV total
1999 · Self
Will & Grace
1998 · Janet Jackson
The View
1997 · Self
E! True Hollywood Story
1996
TFI Friday
1996
MTV Europe Music Awards
1994 · Self - Performer
Late Night with Conan O'Brien
1993 · Self - Guest
GMTV
1993 · Self
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
1992
The Word
1990
MTV Rockumentary
1989
LIVE with Kelly and Mark
1988
Smash Hits Poll Winners Party
1988 · Self
Going Live!
1987 · Self
Sacrée soirée
1987 · Self
MTV Video Music Awards
1984 · Self
Fame
1982 · Cleo Hewitt
Entertainment Tonight
1981 · Self
Wetten, dass..?
1981 · Self
A New Kind of Family
1979
Diff'rent Strokes
1978 · Charlene DuPrey
The Jacksons
1976 · Self
The Sonny and Cher Show
1976
Saturday Night Live
1975 · Self - Musical Guest, Self - Host & Musical Guest
Cher
1975 · Self
American Music Awards
1974 · Self - Musical Guest
Good Times
1974 · Milicent 'Penny' Woods
The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour
1971
The Flip Wilson Show
1970 · Self
The Jim Nabors Hour
1969
The Grammys
1959 · Self
The Oscars
1953 · Self
Today
1952 · Self
Family First
· Self