IvanaIloveMJ
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Nechama Brodie | 13 November, 2011 00:27
The youngest member of the Jackson clan, 45-year-old Janet has been performing since the age of seven, and started her solo music career in her late teens.
The release of her third album, Control, in 1986, saw her top the Billboard charts with singles such as What Have You Done For Me Lately, Nasty and Control. In the course of her career, Jackson has sold more than 100-million records worldwide, and in 2010 she was voted one of the most influential R&B/hip-hop singers of the past 25 years.
As I grow older I find more things about my body that I like. I wish the same for everyone. You have to love your body just the way it is. This is one of the reasons I wrote my book True You. When I was on tour for Rhythm Nation, it was a very exciting time for me in terms of my career - but, inside, I didn't like how I looked. I would literally bang my head against a wall. I wanted to write True You so that I could help others, especially kids. They need to know they are perfect just the way they are. I didn't feel beautiful when I was younger. It has been a long road for me. I'm finally happy with where I am.
How you connect with music is so individual. There's no answer as to why one rhythm travels straight to your feet and hips, while another passes you by.
The people who have supported me in my own journey are often the ones who aren't in the public eye. My family, my close friends ... they know who they are. They're important to me, I love them, and I am grateful for their support. But they also want their privacy, and I respect that.
Discipline is my foundation. Without discipline I could not be professional. Even though I sing Control every night, today I understand that only God is really in control. I manage as much of it as I can. Prayer, exercise, nutrition and discipline keep me going when I'm on tour.
Being clean in body and spirit makes anyone attractive. Confidence matters too. Loving and being loved lets beauty shine. When you want to find beauty, look into the person's eyes.
It isn't always easy to handle fame. Being in the public eye is really all I have ever known. It's difficult. I am very grateful to all my fans for their support over the years - but when I see people hurting because of fame it makes me sad. I don't read or watch what is said about me. My best advice is for people to learn to be true to themselves.
Artists who have something to say, make a difference. Changing lives with your talent creates a legacy. Music can, has and will change the world.
Whenever there are large opportunities, some people will take advantage and be hurtful. Other people will rise above and do the right thing. I'm very lucky that, in my life, I've been surrounded by some wonderful people. I appreciate that.
I don't talk about money in public. I'm grateful for the opportunities my work has given me. I feel fortunate to have been successful. But it is very personal. Money has never been, and will never be, the reason for my work.
Everyone in the world wants, needs and deserves to be loved. Especially the children.
I've learned many lessons - good and bad - from other celebrities. It wouldn't be fair to name just one, especially if it was something bad. Right now I'm thinking of ... You didn't really think I would tell you?
http://www.timeslive.co.za/lifestyle/2011/11/13/janet-jackson-on-why-she-doesn-t-talk-about-money
