Editing Janet Jackson (section)

== Life and career ==

=== 1966–1985: Early life and career beginnings ===
[[File:Jacksonstvshow.jpg|180px|thumb|left|upright|Jackson (''bottom row'') in a 1977 CBS photo on the set of ''[[The Jacksons (TV series)|The Jacksons]]'']]
Janet Damita Jo Jackson was born on May 16, 1966, in [[Gary, Indiana]].<ref name="JJ by Cornwell">{{harvnb|Cornwell|2002|pages=2, 10, 24}}</ref> She was the youngest of ten children in the [[Jackson family]], a working-class [[African Americans|African-American]] family living in a two-bedroom house on Jackson Street.{{sfn|Jackson|2009|p=26}} Her mother, [[Katherine Jackson|Katherine Esther Jackson]] (''née'' Scruse), played clarinet and piano, had aspired to be a [[Country music|country-and-western]] performer, and worked part-time at [[Sears]].{{sfn|Young|2009|pp=17, 19}} Her father, [[Joe Jackson (manager)|Joseph Walter "Joe" Jackson]], a former boxer, was a crane operator at [[U.S. Steel]] and played guitar with a local [[rhythm and blues]] band, the Falcons, to supplement the family's income.<ref name="Obit Guardian">{{cite news |last=Sweeting |first=Adam |date=June 27, 2018 |title=Joe Jackson obituary |newspaper=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/jun/27/joe-jackson-obituary |access-date=April 14, 2019 |archive-date=December 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208194246/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/jun/27/joe-jackson-obituary |url-status=live }}</ref>{{sfn|Young|2009|pp=18–19}} Janet's great-great-grandfather, July "Jack" Gale, was a US Army [[Cavalry scout|scout]]. Family lore held that he was also a Native American [[medicine man]].{{sfn|Knopper|2016|p=6. Note: No tribal affiliation named in source}} Janet grew up with two sisters ([[Rebbie Jackson|Rebbie]] and [[La Toya Jackson|La Toya]]) and six brothers ([[Jackie Jackson|Jackie]], [[Tito Jackson|Tito]], [[Jermaine Jackson|Jermaine]], [[Marlon Jackson|Marlon]], [[Michael Jackson|Michael]] and [[Randy Jackson (The Jacksons)|Randy]]).<ref name="Obit Guardian" /> Another brother, Marlon's twin Brandon, died shortly after birth.<ref>{{cite web |last=Morris |first=Chris |date=June 27, 2018 |title=Joe Jackson, Jackson Family Patriarch, Dies at 89 |url=https://variety.com/2018/music/news/joe-jackson-dead-dies-89-1202859242/ |access-date=April 27, 2019 |magazine=Variety |archive-date=November 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221108051352/https://variety.com/2018/music/news/joe-jackson-dead-dies-89-1202859242/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The Jacksons were devout [[Jehovah's Witnesses]], although Janet would later refrain from organized religion.<ref>{{cite news|last=Norment|first=Lynn|title=Janet: On her sexuality, spirituality, failed marriages, and lessons learned|newspaper=[[Jet (magazine)|Jet]]|volume=57|issue=1|page=104|date=November 2001|issn=0012-9011}}</ref>

At a young age, Jackson's brothers began performing as [[the Jackson 5]] in the Chicago-Gary area.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thejacksons.com/history/the-jacksons-5-60-68/|title=History 60-68 {{!}} The Jacksons {{!}} The Official Website|access-date=October 7, 2022|archive-date=September 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190920143141/https://www.thejacksons.com/history/the-jacksons-5-60-68/|url-status=dead}}</ref> In March 1969, they signed a record deal with [[Motown]], and soon had their [[I Want You Back|first number-one hit]]. The family then moved to the [[Encino, Los Angeles|Encino]] neighborhood of Los Angeles.<ref name="JJ by Cornwell" /> Jackson had initially desired to become a horse racing jockey or entertainment lawyer, with plans to support herself through acting. Despite this, she was anticipated to pursue a career in entertainment and considered the idea after recording herself in the studio.<ref name="JJ by Cornwell" />

At age seven, Jackson and her sisters [[The Jackson 5 World Tour|performed]] at the MGM Casino on the [[Las Vegas Strip]].<ref name="JJ by Cornwell" /> A biography revealed her father, Joseph, was emotionally withdrawn and told her to address him solely by his first name as a child.<ref name="JJ by Cornwell" /> She began acting in the variety show ''[[The Jacksons (TV series)|The Jacksons]]'' in 1976.<ref name="JJ by Cornwell" />

In 1977, she was selected to have a starring role as [[Good Times|Penny Gordon Woods]] in the sitcom ''Good Times''.<ref name="JJ by Cornwell" /> She later starred in ''[[A New Kind of Family]]'' and later got a recurring role on ''[[Diff'rent Strokes]]'', portraying Charlene Duprey from seasons three to six.<ref name="JJ by Cornwell" /> Jackson also played the role of Cleo Hewitt during the fourth season of ''[[Fame (1982 TV series)|Fame]]'', but expressed indifference towards the series, largely due to the emotional stress of her secret marriage to R&B singer [[James DeBarge]]. Jackson later elaborated on her time on the show in an interview with [[Anderson Cooper]], revealing that the cast would occasionally play pranks on her, but she spoke fondly of them.<ref>{{Cite web | last = Fox | first = Norman | title = Indian Summer | work = [[TV.com]] | publisher = [[CBS Interactive]] | url = http://www.tv.com/fame/indian-summer/episode/77620/summary.html | access-date = September 3, 2010 | archive-date = November 8, 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121108042131/http://www.tv.com/fame/indian-summer/episode/77620/summary.html | url-status = dead }}</ref><ref name="Saunders">{{Cite news|last= Saunders |first= Michael | title=The 3 Divas Janet Jackson turns her focus inward | newspaper=[[The Boston Globe]] | page=D13 | date=October 3, 1996}}</ref>

When Jackson was fifteen, her father and manager Joseph Jackson arranged a contract for her with [[A&M Records]].<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Pro Equipment & Services|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|volume=94|issue=19|page=47|date=May 15, 1982}}</ref> Her debut album, ''[[Janet Jackson (album)|Janet Jackson]]'', was released in 1982. It was produced by [[Angela Winbush]], [[René Moore]], Bobby Watson of [[Rufus (band)|Rufus]] and [[Leon Sylvers III]], and overseen by her father Joseph.<ref name="JJ by Cornwell" /> It peaked at No. 63 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]], and No. 6 on the publication's R&B albums chart, receiving little promotion.<ref name="allmusicprofile">{{Cite web | title = Janet Jackson | work = [[AllMusic]] | url = https://www.allmusic.com/artist/p4572 | access-date = July 21, 2010 | archive-date = February 17, 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110217221037/http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p4572 | url-status = live }}</ref><ref name="Billboard Album peaks">{{cite magazine | url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/janet-jackson/chart-history/billboard-200 | title=Janet Jackson – Chart History: ''Billboard'' 200 | magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] | access-date=October 29, 2012 | archive-date=November 21, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211121090821/https://www.billboard.com/artist/janet-jackson/chart-history/billboard-200/ | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="US-R&B-albums">{{cite magazine | url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=Janet Jackson|chart=R&B/Hip-Hop Albums B}} | title=Janet Jackson – Chart History: R&B/Hip-Hop Albums | magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|access-date=October 29, 2012}}</ref> The album appeared on the ''Billboard'' Top Black Albums of 1983, while Jackson herself was the highest-ranking female vocalist on the ''Billboard'' Year-End Black Album Artists.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/80s/1983/BB-1983-12-24.pdf|title=A ''Billboard'' Spotlight: ''Billboard'' Talent Almanac — 1984 Year-End Charts|magazine=Billboard|pages=TA–14, TA–15, TA–20, TA–23|issue=Special Double|date=December 24, 1983|publisher=Billboard Publication|access-date=October 29, 2012}}</ref>

Jackson's second album, ''[[Dream Street (Janet Jackson album)|Dream Street]]'', was released two years later.<ref name="JJ by Cornwell" /> ''Dream Street'' reached No. 147 on the ''Billboard'' 200, and No. 19 on the R&B albums chart.<ref name="Billboard Album peaks" /><ref name="US-R&B-albums" /> The lead single "[[Don't Stand Another Chance]]" peaked at No. 9 on ''Billboard''{{'}}s R&B singles chart.<ref name="US-R&B-singles">{{cite magazine | url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=Janet Jackson|chart=R&B/Hip-Hop Songs}} | title=Janet Jackson – Chart History: R&B/Hip-Hop Songs | magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]| access-date=April 8, 2012}}</ref> Both albums consisted primarily of [[bubblegum pop]] music.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/r10041|title=Dream Street – Janet Jackson|work=AllMusic|access-date=July 21, 2010|archive-date=March 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230301093425/https://www.allmusic.com/album/dream-street-mw0000190415|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== 1986–1988: ''Control'' ===
[[File:Janet Jackson 1986 (A&M Publicity photo).jpg|thumb|Janet Jackson in 1986.]]
After her second album, Jackson terminated business affairs with her family, commenting "I just wanted to get out of the house, get out from under my father, which was one of the most difficult things that I had to do."<ref name="Saunders" /> Attempting a third album, Jackson teamed with producers [[Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis]]. They set out to achieve crossover pop appeal, while also creating a strong foundation within the [[urban contemporary|urban]] market.<ref name="She's a rebel">{{harvnb|Gaar|2002|pp=323–325}}</ref> Within six weeks, Jackson and the duo crafted her third studio album, ''[[Control (Janet Jackson album)|Control]]'', released in February 1986.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Janet Jackson Thanks Fans After 1986 Album Control Tops Charts Again: 'Really Appreciate You'|url=https://people.com/music/janet-jackson-thanks-fans-after-1986-album-control-tops-charts-again/|access-date=May 4, 2021|website=PEOPLE.com|language=en|archive-date=April 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418161022/https://people.com/music/janet-jackson-thanks-fans-after-1986-album-control-tops-charts-again/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="cohen">{{Cite magazine|last=Cohen |first=Jonathan |title=Billboard Feature: Janet Jackson: Still In Control |url=http://www.allbusiness.com/retail-trade/miscellaneous-retail-retail-stores-not/4614593-1.html |magazine=Billboard |date=December 15, 1999 |access-date=September 6, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110110093834/http://www.allbusiness.com/retail-trade/miscellaneous-retail-retail-stores-not/4614593-1.html |archive-date=January 10, 2011 }}</ref> The album shot to No. 1 on the ''Billboard'' 200, and was certified fivefold Platinum by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA), selling over ten million copies worldwide.<ref name="Billboard Album peaks" /><ref name="cert">{{cite certification|region=United States|artist=Janet Jackson|type=album|access-date=August 21, 2009}}</ref><ref name="Company2008">{{cite news|last=Norment|first=Lynn|title=Don't Call It A Come Back – 'I'm Not Ready to Retire!'|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PNMDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PAPA74|date=April 2008|work=[[Ebony (magazine)|Ebony]]|pages=74–|issn=0012-9011|volume=63|access-date=December 2, 2018|archive-date=March 5, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240305125514/https://books.google.com/books?id=PNMDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PAPA74#v=onepage&q&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref>

''Control'' was declared "remarkably nervy and mature" for a teenage act, also considered "an alternative to the sentimental balladry" which permeated radio, likening Jackson to [[Donna Summer]]'s position of "unwilling to accept novelty status and taking her own steps to rise above it."<ref>{{cite news|last=Johnson|first=Connie|title=Jackson Jive|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|page=78|date=February 23, 1986|issn=0458-3035}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news| title = Singer Janet Jackson | volume= 108 | issue = 3 | page = 61 | newspaper=[[Newsweek]]| date = July 21, 1986| issn = 0028-9604}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/janetjackson/albums/album/321531/review/5944692/control | title = Janet Jackson: Control: Music Reviews: Rolling Stone | last=Hoerburger | first=Rob |magazine=Rolling Stone | date = April 24, 1986 | access-date = September 6, 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080430054634/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/janetjackson/albums/album/321531/review/5944692/control | archive-date = April 30, 2008}}</ref> The album spawned five top five singles, "[[What Have You Done for Me Lately]]", "[[Nasty (Janet Jackson song)|Nasty]]", "[[When I Think of You]]", "[[Control (Janet Jackson song)|Control]]", and "[[Let's Wait Awhile]]", and a top 15 hit with "[[The Pleasure Principle (song)|The Pleasure Principle]]". "When I Think of You" became her first No. 1 hit on the Hot 100. ''Control'' received six [[Billboard Awards|''Billboard'' Awards]], including "Top Pop Singles Artist", and three [[Grammy Award|Grammy]] nominations, such as [[Grammy Award for Album of the Year|Album of the Year]].<ref name="books.google.com">{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tiQEAAAAMBAJ|title=In Praise of Small Numbers|magazine=Billboard|volume=98|number=52|date=December 27, 1986|access-date=April 18, 2014|pages=10, Y–17, Y–19, Y–20, Y–21, Y–22, Y–23, Y–24, Y–26|archive-date=March 5, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240305125457/https://books.google.com/books?id=tiQEAAAAMBAJ|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Veterans top Grammy nominations|date=January 8, 1987|work=[[The Herald (Rock Hill)|The Herald]]|publisher=The McClatchy Company}}</ref> It also won four [[American Music Award]]s from twelve nominations, an unbroken record.<ref>{{cite news|last=Smith|first=Kathleen|title=American Music Awards tonight to honor Presley posthumously|newspaper=[[St. Petersburg Times]]|page=7.D|date=January 26, 1987}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Travis tops music award winners|newspaper=[[Houston Chronicle]]|date=January 26, 1988|page=1|issn=1074-7109}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news| last1 = Hamlin | first1 = Jesse | title = Graced with a Grammy/Paul Simon Wins Award for Top Album | page = 48 | newspaper=[[San Francisco Chronicle]] | date = February 25, 1987 }}</ref>

At this point, Jackson was successfully "shaking off the experience of being a shadow Jackson child", becoming "an artist in her own right".<ref>{{Cite news|last=Hilburn|first=Robert|title=British Critics Turn All Ears to America|page=65|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=January 11, 1987|issn=0458-3035}}</ref> The album's lyrical content included several themes of empowerment, inspired by an incident of sexual harassment, with Jackson recalling "the danger hit home when a couple of guys started stalking me on the street and instead of running to Jimmy or Terry for protection, I took a stand. I backed them down. That's how songs like 'Nasty' and 'What Have You Done for Me Lately' were born, out of a sense of self-defense."<ref name="Sexual Healing">{{Cite news | last1 = Ritz | first1 = David | title = Sexual healing | issue = 665 | page = 38 | newspaper=Rolling Stone | date = September 16, 1993 | issn = 0035-791X}}</ref>

Its innovative fusion of [[dance-pop]] and [[industrial music]] with [[hip hop|hip-hop]] and [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]] undertones influenced the development of the [[new jack swing]] genre by bridging the gap between the latter two styles.<ref name="The New Blue Music">{{harvnb|Ripani|2006|pp=130–153}}</ref> The accompanying music videos shot for the album's singles became popular on [[MTV]], and obtained a then-unknown [[Paula Abdul]] a recording contract for her choreography work with Jackson. ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' stated "[Jackson's] accessible sound and spectacularly choreographed videos were irresistible to MTV, and helped the channel evolve from rock programming to a broader, beat-driven musical mix."<ref name="cohen" />

In retrospect of her influence on the channel, Kyle Anderson of ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' commented: "The videos from Control were all over MTV, and Janet established herself as an instantly dominant pop figure talked about in the same sentences as [[Madonna]] and her older brother Michael."<ref name="Kyle">{{cite magazine|url=http://music-mix.ew.com/2014/09/19/janet-jackson-rhythm-nation-1814-25th-anniversary/|title=Janet Jackson's 'Rhythm Nation 1814': Still dancing and dreaming 25 years later|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|publisher=Anderson, Kyle|date=September 19, 2014|access-date=September 19, 2014|archive-date=September 21, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140921015643/http://music-mix.ew.com/2014/09/19/janet-jackson-rhythm-nation-1814-25th-anniversary/|url-status=live}}</ref> MTV's Meaghan Garvey asserted "it's hard to overstate the significance of Control, whether in terms of the pop landscape, the evolution of the music video as a vessel for promotion and expression, or Top 40 feminist anthems." She also argued "it's important to note that ''Control'''s self-actualization anthems were expressions of black female pride. ''Control'' spawned a whopping six videos—great ones, at that—which played an immeasurable role in the shift toward visible black pop."<ref>{{cite news|author=Meaghan Garvey|title=On 30 Years of Janet Jackson's Control|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2735889/on-30-years-of-janet-jackson-control/|publisher=MTV|date=February 4, 2016|access-date=November 5, 2017|archive-date=November 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107013056/http://www.mtv.com/news/2735889/on-30-years-of-janet-jackson-control/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== 1989–1992: ''Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814'' ===
Jackson released her fourth album, ''[[Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814|Rhythm Nation 1814]]'', in September 1989. Although her record label desired a direct sequel to ''Control'', Jackson chose to include a socially conscious theme among various musical styles.<ref>{{Cite news | last1 = Cocks | first1 = Jay | title = Dancing on the charts | volume = 135 | issue = 22 | page = 87 | newspaper=Time | date = May 28, 1990 | issn = 0040-781X}}</ref> She stated, "I know an album or a song can't change the world. I just want my music and my dance to catch the audience's attention, and to hold it long enough for them to listen to the lyrics."<ref>{{Cite news |last1 =Graham | first1 = Jefferson | title = Janet in command; Jackson rules her own 'Nation'; Highlights of a rhythmic life | page = 01.D | newspaper=[[USA Today]] | date = December 15, 1989 }}</ref> The album's central theme of unity was developed in response to various crimes and tragedies reported in the media.<ref>{{Cite news| last1 = Morse | first1 = Steve | title = Changing Her Tune Janet Jackson's New Conscience | page = 30 | newspaper=The Boston Globe | date = November 20, 1989 }}</ref>

Peaking at No. 1 on the ''Billboard''&nbsp;200, the album was certified sixfold Platinum by the RIAA and sold over 12 million copies worldwide.<ref name="Billboard Album peaks" /><ref name="cert" /><ref name="Company2008" /> ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' observed Jackson's artistic growth shifted from "personal freedom to more universal concerns—injustice, illiteracy, crime, drugs—without missing a beat."<ref>{{Cite magazine| last = Aletti | first = Vince | title = Rhythm Nation 1814: Janet Jackson: Review: Rolling Stone |magazine=Rolling Stone | date = October 19, 1998 | url = https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/janetjackson/albums/album/182747/review/5943659/rhythm_nation_1814 | access-date = September 6, 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080430054629/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/janetjackson/albums/album/182747/review/5943659/rhythm_nation_1814 | archive-date = April 30, 2008}}</ref> The album was also considered "the exclamation point on her career", consisting of a "diverse collection of songs flowing with the natural talent Jackson possesses", which effectively "expanded Janet's range in every conceivable direction", being "more credibly feminine, more crucially masculine, more viably adult, more believably childlike."<ref name="Henderson">{{cite web|last=Henderson |first=Eric | title=Janet Jackson: Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814: Music Review |url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/music_review.asp?ID=1839 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090913052948/http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/music_review.asp?ID=1839 |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 13, 2009 |work=[[Slant Magazine]] |date=September 7, 2009 |access-date=November 11, 2009}}</ref> With singles "[[Miss You Much]]", "[[Rhythm Nation]]", "[[Escapade (song)|Escapade]]", "[[Alright (Janet Jackson song)|Alright]]", "[[Come Back to Me (Janet Jackson song)|Come Back to Me]]", "[[Black Cat (song)|Black Cat]]" and "[[Love Will Never Do (Without You)]]", it became the first album in history to produce number one hits in three separate calendar years, as well as the only album to achieve seven top five singles on the Hot 100.<ref>{{cite news|title=Cover Story: 'Design of a Decade' Features Ten Years of Hits|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fzkDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PAPA57|work=[[Jet (magazine)|Jet]]|access-date=June 9, 2011|date=November 6, 1995|pages=54–58|publisher=Johnson Publication|archive-date=March 5, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240305125446/https://books.google.com/books?id=fzkDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PAPA57#v=onepage&q&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Trust |first1=Gary |title=The Weeknd & Ariana Grande's 'Save Your Tears' Soars to No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100 |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9566597/the-weeknd-ariana-grande-save-your-tears-number-one-hot-100 |magazine=Billboard |publisher=Billboard Media, LLC |access-date=May 4, 2021 |archive-date=May 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210509073403/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9566597/the-weeknd-ariana-grande-save-your-tears-number-one-hot-100 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Famous for its choreography and warehouse setting, the "[[Rhythm Nation (music video)|Rhythm Nation]]" music video is considered one of the most iconic and popular in history, with Jackson's military ensemble also making her a fashion icon.<ref>{{citation|title=The Biggest Brother-Sister Stars in Show Business History|newspaper=[[Ebony (magazine)|Ebony]]|volume=46|issue=10|page=40|issn=0012-9011}}</ref> The video for "Love Will Never Do (Without You)" is notable for being the first instance of Jackson's transition into sexual imagery and midriff-baring style, becoming her trademark. ''Rhythm Nation 1814'' became the highest selling album of 1990, winning a record fifteen ''Billboard'' Awards.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.tvguide.com/News/Billboard-Music-Awards-Winners-1047815.aspx |title=Adele, LMFAO Top Billboard Music Awards – Today's News: Our Take |work=TV Guide |date=May 21, 2012 |access-date=December 13, 2012 |first=Joyce |last=Eng |archive-date=January 27, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130127034339/http://www.tvguide.com/News/Billboard-Music-Awards-Winners-1047815.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Macdonald |first=Patrick |title = Ringing In 1991: Northwest Top 10 Video Count-Down | page = 8 | newspaper=[[The Seattle Times]] | date = December 28, 1990 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | last1 = Anderson | first1 = Susan | title = Chronicle | page = 7 | newspaper=[[The New York Times]] | date = November 28, 1990 | isbn = 0-8118-6207-0 | issn = 0362-4331}}</ref> The full ''[[Rhythm Nation 1814 (film)|Rhythm Nation 1814]]'' short film won a [[Grammy Award for Best Long Form Music Video|Grammy Award]].<ref name="Grammy Awards">{{Cite web | title = Artist: Janet Jackson | publisher = [[The Recording Academy]] | url = https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/janet-jackson | access-date = March 18, 2015 | archive-date = May 26, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200526205338/https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/janet-jackson | url-status = live }}</ref>

Jackson's [[Rhythm Nation World Tour 1990]] became the most successful debut tour in history and set a record for the fastest sell-out of Japan's [[Tokyo Dome]].<ref>{{harvnb|Jaynes|2005|p=565}}</ref> She established the "Rhythm Nation Scholarship", donating funds from the tour to various educational programs.<ref>{{Cite news |title = Janet Jackson Ends 'Rhythm Nation' Tour, Donates over $1/2 Million to Fund Education Projects | page = 56 | newspaper=[[Jet (magazine)|Jet]] |volume=79|issue=13| date = January 14, 1991|issn=0021-5996}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title = Janet Combines Talent and Appeal for UNCF | page = B–3 | newspaper=[[Los Angeles Sentinel]] | date = March 3, 1994|issn=0890-4340}}</ref> As Jackson began her tour, she was acknowledged for the cultural impact of her music. Joel Selvin of the ''[[San Francisco Chronicle]]'' wrote "the 23-year-old has been making smash hit records for four years, becoming a fixture on MTV and a major role model to teenage girls across the country", and William Allen, then-executive vice president of the [[UNCO|United Negro College Fund]], told the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'', "Jackson is a role model for all young people to emulate and the message she has gotten to the young people of this country through the lyrics of 'Rhythm Nation 1814' is having positive effects."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Selvin |first=Joel |title = Just Wholesome Glitz From Janet | page = F1 | newspaper = [[San Francisco Chronicle]] | date = April 30, 1990 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title = Names In The News Janet Jackson Benefit Concert | page = 9 | newspaper = [[Los Angeles Times]] | date = February 5, 1990 |issn=0458-3035}}</ref>

She also received a star on the [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]] in recognition of her impact on the recording industry and philanthropic endeavors.<ref>{{cite news|title=Janet Jackson Gets Star On Hollywood Walk Of Fame|newspaper=Jet|date=May 7, 1990|volume=78|issue=4|pages=60–61|issn=0021-5996}}</ref> The massive success experienced by Jackson placed her in league with her brother Michael, Madonna, and [[Tina Turner]] for her achievements and influence.<ref name="Routledge">{{harvnb|Kramarae|Spender|2000|p=1408}}</ref> ''[[Ebony (magazine)|Ebony]]'' magazine remarked: "No individual or group has impacted the world of entertainment as have Michael and Janet Jackson," arguing that despite many imitators, few could surpass Jackson's "stunning style and dexterity".<ref name="multimillion" />

With her recording contract under A&M Records fulfilled in 1991, she signed a multimillion-dollar deal with [[Virgin Records]]—estimated between thirty-two to fifty million dollars—making her the highest paid recording artist at the time.<ref name="multimillion">{{cite news|title=The Biggest Brother-Sister Stars in Show Business History|newspaper=[[Ebony (magazine)|Ebony]]|volume=46|issue=10|year=1991|page=40|issn=0012-9011}}</ref><ref name="virgin contract">{{Cite news | last1 = Goldberg | first1 = M. | title = The Jacksons score big | page = 32 | newspaper=Rolling Stone | date = May 2, 1991 | issn = 0035-791X}}</ref> The recording contract also established her reputation as the "[[Honorific nicknames in popular music|Queen of Pop]]".<ref name="Queen" /> In 1992, Jackson provided guest vocals on [[Luther Vandross]]'s "[[The Best Things in Life Are Free (Luther Vandross and Janet Jackson song)|The Best Things in Life Are Free]]", becoming a top ten ''Billboard'' hit and reaching the top ten internationally.<ref name="Janet Jackson: Biography: Rolling Stone">{{Cite magazine | title = Janet Jackson: Biography: Rolling Stone | magazine = Rolling Stone | url = https://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/janet-jackson | access-date = April 9, 2008 | archive-date = June 20, 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100620092732/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/janet-jackson | url-status = live }}</ref>

=== 1993–1996: ''Janet'', ''Poetic Justice'', and ''Design of a Decade'' ===
Jackson's fifth studio album, ''[[Janet (album)|Janet]]'', was released in May 1993. The record opened at number one on the ''Billboard''&nbsp;200, making Jackson the first female artist in the [[Nielsen SoundScan]] era to do so.<ref name="Billboard Album peaks" /><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xwsEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PAPA3|title=Between The Bullets|first=Geoff|last=Mayfield|magazine=Billboard|access-date=July 28, 2010|issue=31|date=August 5, 1995|page=106|volume=107|issn=0006-2510|archive-date=March 5, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240305125508/https://books.google.com/books?id=xwsEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PAPA3#v=onepage&q&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref> Certified sixfold Platinum by the RIAA, it sold over 14 million copies worldwide.<ref name="cert" /><ref name="AtlanticCity">{{cite news|url=http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/attheshore/headliners/boardwalk-hall-looks-to-get-nasty-with-janet-jackson/article_913deab6-c2f7-11e7-b2d1-97e19954370d.html|title=Boardwalk hall looks to get 'nasty' with janet jackson|work=[[The Press of Atlantic City]]|first=Sean|last=Loughlin|date=November 6, 2017|access-date=November 10, 2017|archive-date=October 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030031213/https://pressofatlanticcity.com/attheshore/headliners/boardwalk-hall-looks-to-get-nasty-with-janet-jackson/article_913deab6-c2f7-11e7-b2d1-97e19954370d.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

''Janet'' spawned five singles and four promotional singles, receiving various certifications worldwide. The lead single "[[That's the Way Love Goes (Janet Jackson song)|That's the Way Love Goes]]" won the [[Grammy Award for Best R&B Song]] and topped the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] for eight consecutive weeks.<ref name="Jacksons Number Ones">{{harvnb|Halstead|Cadman|2003}}</ref>{{rp|118}} "[[Again (Janet Jackson song)|Again]]" reached number one for two weeks, while "[[If (Janet Jackson song)|If]]" and "[[Any Time, Any Place]]" peaked in the top four. "[[Because of Love]]" and "[[You Want This]]" charted within the top ten.<ref name="US-singles">{{cite magazine | url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/janet-jackson/chart-history/hot-100 | title=Janet Jackson – Chart History: Hot 100 | magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] | access-date=October 29, 2012 | archive-date=November 21, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211121090830/https://www.billboard.com/artist/janet-jackson/chart-history/hot-100/ | url-status=live }}</ref>

The album experimented with a diverse number of genres, including [[contemporary R&B]], [[deep house]], [[Swing music|swing jazz]], [[hip-hop]], [[Rock music|rock]], and [[Pop music|pop]], with ''Billboard'' describing each as being "delivered with consummate skill and passion".<ref>{{cite news|first1=Paul|last1=Verna |first2=Edward |last2=Morris |title=Pop/Spotlight|newspaper=Billboard|date=May 23, 1993|page=91}}</ref> Jackson took a larger role in songwriting and production than she did on her previous albums, explaining she found it necessary "to write all the lyrics and half of the melodies" while also speaking candidly about incorporating her sexuality into the album's content.<ref name="Sexual Healing" /> ''Rolling Stone'' wrote "[a]s princess of America's black royal family, everything Janet Jackson does is important. Whether proclaiming herself in charge of her life, as she did on ''Control'' (1986), or commander in chief of a rhythm army dancing to fight society's problems (''Rhythm Nation 1814'', from 1989), she's influential. And when she announces her sexual maturity, as she does on her new album, ''Janet.'', it's a cultural moment."<ref>{{cite magazine|volume=659|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/janetjackson/albums/album/182126/review/6067467/janet |title=Janet Jackson: Janet: Music Reviews |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=September 9, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080502093343/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/janetjackson/albums/album/182126/review/6067467/janet |archive-date=May 2, 2008|date=June 24, 1993}}</ref>

In July 1993, Jackson made her film debut in ''[[Poetic Justice (film)|Poetic Justice]]''. While the film received mixed reviews, her performance was described as "beguiling" and "believably eccentric".<ref>{{cite magazine | volume=663|title = Poetic Justice |magazine=Rolling Stone | date = December 8, 2000 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100409203949/http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/movie/5947325/review/5947326/poetic_justice|archive-date=April 9, 2010|url = https://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/movie/5947325/review/5947326/poetic_justice | access-date = June 13, 2008|publication-date=August 19, 1993}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Howe | first = Desson | title = Poetic Justice | newspaper = The Washington Post | date = July 23, 1993 | url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/poeticjusticerhowe_a0afdf.htm | access-date = June 13, 2008 | archive-date = June 29, 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110629020612/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/poeticjusticerhowe_a0afdf.htm | url-status = live }}</ref> Jackson's ballad "Again", which was written for the film, received [[Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song|Golden Globe]] and [[Academy Award for Best Original Song|Academy Award]] nominations for "Best Original Song".<ref>{{Cite news | last= Biddle | first= Frederic M. | title= Fashion and fame team on Oscar night | newspaper=The Boston Globe | page=61 | date= March 22, 1994}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=HFPA – Awards Search: Janet Jackson |url=http://www.goldenglobes.org/browse/member/30554 |publisher=[[Hollywood Foreign Press Association]] |access-date=September 18, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100713152201/http://www.goldenglobes.org/browse/member/30554 |archive-date=July 13, 2010}}</ref><ref name="jeljones1">{{harvnb|Halstead|Cadman|2003|p=85}}</ref>

In September 1993, Jackson appeared topless on the cover of ''Rolling Stone'', with her breasts covered anonymously by her then-husband, René Elizondo Jr. The photograph is the original version of the cropped image used on the ''Janet'' album cover, shot by [[Patrick Demarchelier]].<ref>{{cite magazine| title = Janet Jackson |magazine=Rolling Stone | date = September 30, 2004 | url = https://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/6478137/janet_jackson | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071223223513/http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/6478137/janet_jackson|archive-date=December 23, 2007|access-date = July 23, 2008}}</ref> ''[[The Vancouver Sun]]'' reported, "Jackson, 27, remains clearly established as both role model and sex symbol; the ''Rolling Stone'' photo of Jackson&nbsp;... became one of the most recognizable, and most lampooned, magazine covers."<ref>{{Cite news| last1 = Murray | first1 = Sonia | title = Janet: The Queen of Pop: Michael could lose his crown to his hot little sister | page = C1 | newspaper=[[The Vancouver Sun]]| date = February 3, 1994| issn = 0832-1299}}</ref>

The [[Janet World Tour]] launched in support of the studio album garnered criticism for Jackson's lack of vocal proficiency and spontaneity,<ref>{{cite news| last= Graham | first=Renee | title=Janet Jackson: looks good, sounds bad | newspaper=[[The Boston Globe]] | pages=34 | date=June 20, 1994}}</ref> but earned critical acclaim for her showmanship. It was described as erasing the line between "stadium-size pop music concerts and full-scale theatrical extravaganzas".<ref name="Michael Snyder">{{Cite news | last=Snyder | first=Michael | title=Janet Jackson Makes All The Right Moves / Singer brings extravaganza to San Jose | newspaper=San Francisco Chronicle | page=C1 | date=February 18, 1994}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Jon Pareles|title=Wrapped in Song and Spectacle, Janet Jackson Plays the Garden|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=December 20, 1993|page=C.11|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
[[File:Janet Tour 01.jpg|thumb|left|Jackson performing on one of the dates of her 1993–95 [[Janet World Tour]]]]

During this time, Janet was set to sign a multimillion-dollar deal with [[Coca-Cola]] when her brother Michael was immersed in a [[1993 child sexual abuse accusations against Michael Jackson|child sex abuse scandal]], of which he denied any wrongdoing.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Corliss |first1=Richard |last2=Sachs |first2=Andrea |title=Society: Who's Bad? An age of innocence may be at an end as Michael Jackson, the Peter Pan of pop, confronts accusations that he sexually abused one of his young friends | newspaper=Time| page=54 | date=September 6, 1993}}</ref> She provided moral support, defending her brother, and denied abuse allegations regarding her parents made by her sister La Toya.<ref name="Robert Hilburn">{{Cite news | last= Hilburn | first= Robert | title= I Think I've Finally Grown Up | newspaper=[[Newsday]] | page=10 | date=June 27, 1994}}</ref>

She collaborated with Michael on "[[Scream (Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson song)|Scream]]", the lead single from his album ''[[HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I|HIStory]]'', released in 1995. The song was written by both siblings as a response to media scrutiny.<ref name="TCI">{{Cite news |last=Boepple |first= Leanne |title = Scream: space odyssey Jackson-style.(video production; Michael and Janet Jackson video) | page = 52 |volume=29 | newspaper=Theatre Crafts International | date = November 1, 1995 |issn=1063-9497}}</ref> It debuted at number five on the Hot&nbsp;100 singles chart, becoming the first song ever to debut within the top five.<ref>{{cite book|last=George|first=Nelson|year=2004|title=Michael Jackson: The Ultimate Collection|publisher=[[Sony BMG]]|type=booklet|title-link=Michael Jackson: The Ultimate Collection}}</ref> Its music video, directed by [[Mark Romanek]], was listed in ''[[Guinness World Records]]'' as the "Most Expensive Music Video Ever Made", costing $7 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/search/applicationrecordsearch|title=Record Application Search|publisher=[[Guinness World Records]]|access-date=May 22, 2014|url-access=registration|quote=Directed by Mark Romanek (USA), the video for Michael and Janet Jackson's hit single Scream (1995) cost $7 million (£4.4 million) to make.|archive-date=March 5, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240305125447/https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/Account/Login?ReturnUrl=%2fsearch%2fapplicationrecordsearch|url-status=live}} ''Enter ''Expensive Music Video'' in the search field and then press Enter''</ref><ref name="mostexpensive">{{cite web|url=http://www.goliath.com/music/15-of-the-most-expensive-music-videos-ever-made/|title=15 Of The Most Expensive Music Videos Ever Made|work=Goliath|first=Wes|last=Walcott|date=April 5, 2016|access-date=April 5, 2016|archive-date=February 16, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220216060159/https://www.goliath.com/music/15-of-the-most-expensive-music-videos-ever-made/|url-status=live}}</ref> The clip won the [[38th Annual Grammy Awards|1996 Grammy Award]] for [[Grammy Award for Best Short Form Music Video|Best Short Form Music Video]].<ref name="Grammy Awards" />

Jackson's first compilation album, ''[[Design of a Decade: 1986–1996]]'', was released in 1995. It peaked at number three on the ''Billboard'' 200.<ref name="Billboard Album peaks" /><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/11/30/arts/the-pop-life-073440.html | work=The New York Times | title=The Pop Life | first=Neil | last=Strauss | date=November 20, 1995 | access-date=May 22, 2014 | archive-date=September 22, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170922195503/http://www.nytimes.com/1995/11/30/arts/the-pop-life-073440.html | url-status=live }}</ref> The lead single, "[[Runaway (Janet Jackson song)|Runaway]]", became the first song by a female artist to debut within the top ten of the Hot&nbsp;100, reaching number three.<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Bronson |last=Fred |title=Janet Jackson Has Done It Again |url={{Google books|6Q0EAAAAMBAJ|page=|keywords=|text=|plainurl=yes}} |magazine=Billboard |page=96 |date=September 16, 1995|issue=37 |access-date=April 17, 2010|volume=107|issn= 0006-2510}}</ref><ref name="US-singles" /> ''Design of a Decade 1986–1996'' was certified double Platinum by the RIAA.<ref name="cert" />

Jackson's influence in pop music continued to garner acclaim, as ''[[The Boston Globe]]'' remarked "If you're talking about the female power elite in pop, you can't get much higher than Janet Jackson, [[Bonnie Raitt]], Madonna and [[Yoko Ono]]. Their collective influence&nbsp;... is beyond measure. And who could dispute that Janet Jackson now has more credibility than brother Michael?"<ref>{{cite news|last=Morse|first=Steve|title=Pure pop for power women Janet Jackson, Bonnie Raitt, Yoko Ono and Madonna flex their musical muscle|newspaper=The Boston Globe|page=51|date=November 3, 1995|issn=0743-1791}}</ref>

Jackson renewed her contract with Virgin Records for a reported $80 million the following year.<ref name="80 million">{{Cite news| title=Janet Jackson Hits Big; $80 Million Record Deal | newspaper=Newsday | page=A02 | date=January 13, 1996}}</ref> The contract established her as the then highest-paid recording artist in history, surpassing the recording industry's then-unparalleled $60 million contracts earned by Michael Jackson and Madonna.<ref>{{cite news|quote=They don't call it jackpot for nothing. After much speculation, Janet Jackson, 29, clinched a reported four-album, $80 million deal with Virgin Records, making her the music industry's highest-paid performer (over brother Michael and Madonna, who each got $60 million deals in the early '90s)|last1=Davidson |first1=Casey | title=News & Notes | newspaper=Entertainment Weekly | page=15 | date=January 26, 1996}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last1= Farley |first1=Christopher John |last2= Thigpen |first2=David E. |last3= Ressner |first3=Jeffrey | title=Business: Are they worth all that cash? Janet Jackson's record-breaking $80 million contract could set off a new wave of pop-music megadeals | newspaper=Time| page=54 | date=January 29, 1996}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|quote=Rock band [[R.E.M.]] later signed an $80 million recording contract with [[Warner Bros. Records]] in August 1996; sources compared the group's record deal with Jackson's contract, but quoted her earning $70 million| title=R.E.M. Signs $80M Deal | newspaper=Newsday | date=August 26, 1996}}</ref>

=== 1997–1999: ''The Velvet Rope'' ===
[[File:Janet Jackson, 1998.jpg|thumb|Jackson in 1998|252x252px]]
Jackson began suffering from severe [[Major depressive disorder|depression]] and [[Anxiety disorder|anxiety]], leading her to chronicle the experience in her sixth album, ''[[The Velvet Rope]],'' released October 1997.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1430426/janet-discusses-depression-with-newsweek/|title=Janet Discusses Depression With 'Newsweek'|publisher=[[MTV]]|date=November 11, 1997|access-date=April 20, 2014|archive-date=July 25, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140725195139/http://www.mtv.com/news/1430426/janet-discusses-depression-with-newsweek/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Jackson returned with a dramatic change in image, boasting vibrant red hair, nasal piercings, and tattoos.<ref name="newlook">{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WzsDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PAPA61|title=Cover Story: Janet Jackson Returns With Hit Album, New Look|work=[[Jet (magazine)|Jet]]|access-date=April 20, 2014|pages=60–63|volume=92|number=26|issn=0021-5996|date=November 1997|archive-date=March 5, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240305125458/https://books.google.com/books?id=WzsDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PAPA61#v=onepage&q&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref> The album is primarily centered on the idea that everyone has an intrinsic need to belong. Aside from encompassing lyrics relating to social issues such as [[same-sex relationships]], [[homophobia]] and [[domestic violence]], it also contains themes of [[sadomasochism]] and is considered far more sexually explicit in nature than her previous release, ''Janet''.<ref name="Saunders" /><ref name="newlook" />

The record was hailed as "her most daring, elaborate and accomplished album" by ''[[The New York Times]]'', while ''Billboard'' called it "the best American album of the year and the most empowering of her last five."<ref>{{cite news|last=Pareles|first=Jon|title=Critic's Choice/Pop CD's; Love Can Get Complicated (Ouch!)|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/10/07/arts/critic-s-choice-pop-cd-s-love-can-get-complicated-ouch.html|access-date=January 16, 2014|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=October 7, 1997|archive-date=December 19, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219190554/http://www.nytimes.com/1997/10/07/arts/critic-s-choice-pop-cd-s-love-can-get-complicated-ouch.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Flick|first=Larry|title=The Year in Music|newspaper=Billboard|volume=109|issue=52|page=16|date=December 3, 1998|issn=0006-2510}}</ref> The album debuted at number one on the ''Billboard''&nbsp;200 and was certified triple Platinum by the RIAA.<ref name="cert" /> It has sold over eight million copies worldwide.<ref name="wwsales">{{cite web|url=https://www.bet.com/article/3qkq82/janet-jackson-the-velvet-rope-25th-anniversary-tribute|title='The Velvet Rope' Turns 25: Janet Jackson's Most Personal Album Reshaped R&B Forever|first=Jaelani|last=Turner-Williams|date=October 3, 2022|publisher=[[BET]]|access-date=June 9, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221004004722/https://www.bet.com/article/3qkq82/janet-jackson-the-velvet-rope-25th-anniversary-tribute|archive-date=October 4, 2022}}</ref>

The lead single "[[Got 'til It's Gone]]" was released in August 1997, featuring guest vocals from folk singer [[Joni Mitchell]] and rapper [[Q-Tip (musician)|Q-Tip]]. The song's music video, depicting a pre-[[Apartheid]] celebration, won the Grammy Award for Best Short Form Music Video.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/gallery/mark-romanek-inside-stories-8-classic-videos/janet-jackson-got-til-its-gone-1997|title=Mark Romanek: Inside Stories on 8 Classic Videos — Janet Jackson, 'Got 'Til It's Gone' (1997)|last=Anderson|first=Kyle|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=August 7, 2013|access-date=May 13, 2016|archive-date=September 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170927111844/http://ew.com/gallery/mark-romanek-inside-stories-8-classic-videos/janet-jackson-got-til-its-gone-1997/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Grammy Awards" /> "[[Together Again (Janet Jackson song)|Together Again]]" became Jackson's eighth number-one hit on the ''Billboard'' Hot&nbsp;100, placing her on par with [[Elton John]], Diana Ross, and [[the Rolling Stones]].<ref name="US-singles" /><ref name="Jacksons Number Ones" />{{rp|28, 120}} It spent a record forty-six weeks on the Hot&nbsp;100 and nineteen weeks on the United Kingdom's singles chart.<ref name="Jacksons Number Ones" /> It sold six million copies worldwide, becoming one of the [[List of best-selling singles|best-selling singles]] of all time.<ref>{{cite book |chapter= FYI > Together Again |title= UNAIDS Outlook Report |publisher= Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS |date= July 2010 |page= 30 |chapter-url= https://books.google.com/books?id=E1jwF1bK1tQC&pg=PA30 |isbn= 9789291738595 |access-date= August 19, 2019 |archive-date= March 1, 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230301095645/https://books.google.com/books?id=E1jwF1bK1tQC&pg=PA30 |url-status= live }}</ref> "[[I Get Lonely]]" peaked at number three on the Hot&nbsp;100,<ref name="US-singles" /> and received a Grammy nomination for [[Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance|Best Female R&B Vocal Performance]].<ref name="Grammy Awards" /> It was Jackson's eighteenth consecutive top ten hit, making her the only female artist to garner that achievement; and surpassed only by [[Elvis Presley]] and [[the Beatles]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Causing a Commotion|url=http://rockhall.com/education/resources/commotion/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613020642/http://rockhall.com/education/resources/commotion/|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 13, 2011|publisher=[[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]]|access-date=January 13, 2012}}</ref>

Several other singles were released, including "[[Go Deep]]" and the ballad "[[Every Time (Janet Jackson song)|Every Time]]", which was controversial for the nudity displayed in its music video.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vibe.com/article/naked-music-videos-pg-2|title=Naked Music Videos (Pg. 2)|work=Vibe|date=March 25, 2010|access-date=February 19, 2014|archive-date=March 5, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140305010239/http://www.vibe.com/article/naked-music-videos-pg-2|url-status=live}}</ref> The album fully established Jackson as a [[Janet Jackson as a gay icon|gay icon]] for its themes regarding homosexuality and protesting homophobia. "Together Again", a "post-Aids pop song", and "Free Xone", considered "a paean to homosexuality" and an "anti-homophobia track", were praised for their lyrical context, in addition to Jackson's lesbian reinterpretation of [[Rod Stewart]]'s "[[Tonight's the Night (Gonna Be Alright)|Tonight's the Night]]".<ref name="McCormick">{{Cite news|last=McCormick |first=Neil | title=The Arts: Give her enough rope&nbsp;... Reviews Rock CDs | newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] | page=11| date=October 18, 1997}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/janetjackson/albums/album/116269/review/5942564/the_velvet_rope |title=Janet Jackson: The Velvet Rope: Music Reviews : Rolling Stone |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=September 9, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080503081338/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/janetjackson/albums/album/116269/review/5942564/the_velvet_rope |archive-date=May 3, 2008|date=December 18, 1997|issue=776/777}}</ref>

''The Velvet Rope'' received an award for "Outstanding Music Album" at the 9th Annual [[GLAAD Media Awards]] and was honored by the National Black Lesbian and Gay Leadership Forum.<ref name=gladd>{{Cite web|url=http://www.glaad.org/media/release_detail.php?id=4308 |title=Janet Jackson to be Honored at 19th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles |access-date=June 10, 2008 |last=McCarthy |first=Marc |publisher=[[GLAAD]] |date=April 1, 2008|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080608152724/http://www.glaad.org/media/release_detail.php?id=4308 |archive-date = June 8, 2008|url-status=dead|type=Press release}}</ref> A portion of the proceeds from "Together Again" were donated to the [[AmfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research|American Foundation for AIDS Research]].<ref name="Jacksons Number Ones" />

Jackson embarked on [[The Velvet Rope Tour]], traveling to Europe, North America, Asia, Africa, New Zealand, and Australia. The tour received praise for its theatrics, choreography, and Jackson's vocal performance.<ref name="broadway" /> It was likened to "the ambition and glamour of a Broadway musical", and exclaimed as "only fitting that the concert program credits her as the show's 'creator and director{{' "}}.<ref name="broadway">{{Cite news |last=Hilburn |first=Robert | title=Janet Jackson Learns The Ropes\ Singer Learns To Like Herself On The Way To Creating The Lavishly Staged Velvet Rope Tour | newspaper=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette| page=G3| date=September 20, 1998|issn=1068-624X}}</ref>

The tour's [[HBO]] special, ''The Velvet Rope: Live in Madison Square Garden'', garnered more than fifteen million viewers. It surpassed the ratings of all four major networks among viewers subscribed to the channel.<ref>{{Cite news|title=HBO's Exclusive Live Concert Event Janet: The Velvet Rope |date=October 14, 1998 |url=http://www.timewarner.com/corp/newsroom/pr/0,20812,666900,00.html |access-date=March 9, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927011205/http://www.timewarner.com/corp/newsroom/pr/0,20812,666900,00.html |archive-date=September 27, 2007 |type=Press release}}</ref> The concert won an [[Emmy Award]] from four nominations.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Fz0DAAAAMBAJ&pg=PAPA57|title=Don Cheadle, Janet Jackson, Chris Rock, Cicely Tyson Among Primetime Emmy Nominees|publisher=Johnson Publishing Company|work=Jet|access-date=June 29, 2010|volume=96|number=11|date=August 16, 1999|pages=57–58|archive-date=March 5, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240305125449/https://books.google.com/books?id=Fz0DAAAAMBAJ&pg=PAPA57#v=onepage&q&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref> Jackson donated a portion of the tour's sales to [[America's Promise]], an organization founded by [[Colin Powell]] to assist disenfranchised youth.<ref>{{cite news|author=Kim McAvoy|title=HBO makes the most of music|newspaper=Broadcasting & Cable|volume=128|issue=36|page=30}}</ref>

As the tour concluded, Jackson lent guest vocals to several collaborations, including [[Shaggy (musician)|Shaggy's]] "[[Luv Me, Luv Me]]",<ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/shaggy/chart-history/hot-100 | title=Shaggy – Chart History: Hot 100 | magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] | access-date=October 29, 2012 | archive-date=November 21, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211121090949/https://www.billboard.com/artist/shaggy/chart-history/hot-100/ | url-status=live }}</ref> used for the film ''[[How Stella Got Her Groove Back (soundtrack)|How Stella Got Her Groove Back]]'', as well as "[[Girlfriend/Boyfriend]]" with [[Teddy Riley]]'s group [[Blackstreet]],<ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/blackstreet/chart-history/hot-100 | title=Blackstreet – Chart History: Hot 100 | magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] | access-date=October 29, 2012 | archive-date=November 21, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211121091748/https://www.billboard.com/artist/blackstreet/chart-history/hot-100/ | url-status=live }}</ref> and "[[What's It Gonna Be?!]]" with [[Busta Rhymes]].<ref name="Billboard">{{cite magazine | url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/busta-rhymes/chart-history/hot-100 | title=Busta Rhymes – Chart History: Hot 100 | magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] | access-date=October 29, 2012 | archive-date=November 21, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211121091049/https://www.billboard.com/artist/busta-rhymes/chart-history/hot-100/ | url-status=live }}</ref> The latter two music videos are both among the [[List of most expensive music videos|most expensive music videos]] ever produced, with "What's It Gonna Be?!" becoming a number-one hit on the ''Billboard'' [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|Hip-Hop Singles]] and [[Hot Rap Songs|Hot Rap Tracks]] charts, reaching the top three of the Hot 100.<ref name="Billboard" />

Jackson also contributed the ballad "God's Stepchild" to the ''[[Down in the Delta]]'' soundtrack. Jackson recorded a duet with Elton John titled "I Know the Truth", included on the soundtrack to ''[[Elton John and Tim Rice's Aida]]''. At the 1999 [[World Music Awards]], Jackson received the Legend Award for "outstanding contribution to the pop industry".<ref name="World Music Awards">{{Cite magazine |title=Global Pulse: Smith, Hill Top World Awards |magazine=Billboard |date=May 6, 1999 |url=https://www.billboard.com/bbcom/search/google/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=947178 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101129195419/http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/search/google/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=947178 |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 29, 2010 |access-date=September 16, 2008}}</ref> ''Billboard'' ranked Jackson as the second most successful artist of the decade, behind [[Mariah Carey]].<ref>{{Cite news| last1 = Mayfield | first1 = Geoff | title = Totally '90s: Diary of a decade | volume = 111 | issue = 112 | newspaper=Billboard | date = December 25, 1999 | issn = 0006-2510}}</ref>

=== 2000–2003: ''Nutty Professor II: The Klumps'' and ''All for You'' ===
In July 2000, Jackson appeared in her second film, ''[[Nutty Professor II: The Klumps]]'', in the role of Professor Denise Gaines, opposite [[Eddie Murphy]]. Director [[Peter Segal]] stated "Janet Jackson was a natural fit, and an obvious choice."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archive.thedailycougar.com/vol65/163/shobiz/shobiz3.html|title=The Klumps has its moments but collapses under own weight|work=The Daily Cougar|author=Singleton, Keenan|year=2000|access-date=February 19, 2014|archive-date=February 27, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227012249/http://archive.thedailycougar.com/vol65/163/shobiz/shobiz3.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The film became her second to open at number one, grossing an estimated $170 million worldwide.<ref>{{Citation | last= LaSalle | first=Mick | title='Professor' Moves Out Smartly / Hollywood's summer better than expected| newspaper=San Francisco Chronicle | page=D1 | date= July 31, 2000}}</ref><ref>{{Citation | title=Box Office; Home Edition| newspaper=Los Angeles Times | page=F–28 | date= August 3, 2000}}</ref> Jackson's single "[[Doesn't Really Matter]]", used for the film's soundtrack, became her ninth number-one single on the Hot 100.

Preceding the release of her seventh album, MTV honored Jackson with the network's inaugural "[[MTV Icon]]" ceremony, honoring her "significant contributions to music, music video and pop culture while tremendously impacting the [[MTV Generation]]." The event paid tribute to Jackson's career and influence, including commentary from [[Britney Spears]], [[Jennifer Lopez]], [[Aaliyah]], and [[Jessica Simpson]], and performances by [[NSYNC|'N Sync]], [[Pink (singer)|Pink]], [[Destiny's Child]], [[Usher (entertainer)|Usher]], [[Buckcherry]], [[Mýa]], [[Macy Gray]], and [[Outkast]].<ref name="mtvICON">{{Citation | last = Jeckell | first = Barry | title = MTV To Honor Janet Jackson | magazine = Billboard | date = January 10, 2001 | url = https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/80773/mtv-to-honor-janet-jackson | access-date = March 16, 2008 | archive-date = June 3, 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130603002533/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/80773/mtv-to-honor-janet-jackson | url-status = live }}</ref> The American Music Awards also honored Jackson with the [[American Music Award of Merit|Award of Merit]] for "her finely crafted, critically acclaimed and socially conscious, multi-platinum albums".<ref>{{Citation | title = Billboard Bits: AMAs, They Might Be Giants, Ricky Scaggs | magazine = Billboard | date = January 4, 2001 | url = https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/80796/billboard-bits-amas-they-might-be-giants-ricky-scaggs | access-date = May 3, 2008 | archive-date = June 6, 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130606172756/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/80796/billboard-bits-amas-they-might-be-giants-ricky-scaggs | url-status = live }}</ref>

Jackson's seventh album, ''[[All for You (Janet Jackson album)|All for You]]'', was released in April 2001. It opened at number one on the ''Billboard''&nbsp;200 with 605,000 copies sold, the highest first-week sales of her career, and among the highest first-week sales by a female artist in history.<ref name="Billboard Album peaks" /><ref>{{Citation | last = Martens | first = Todd | title = Janet Reigns Supreme On Billboard Charts | magazine = Billboard | date = May 3, 2001 | url = https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/79869/janet-reigns-supreme-on-billboard-charts | access-date = April 17, 2008 | archive-date = June 6, 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130606023654/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/79869/janet-reigns-supreme-on-billboard-charts | url-status = live }}</ref> The album was a return to an upbeat dance style, receiving generally positive reception. Jackson received praise for indulging in "textures as dizzying as a new infatuation", in contrast to other artists attempting to "match the angularity of hip-hop" and following trends.<ref>{{Citation | last = Pareles | first = Jon | title = Album of the Week | newspaper = The New York Times | date = May 4, 2001 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2001/05/04/movies/album-of-the-week.html | access-date = July 20, 2008 | archive-date = July 27, 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180727115121/https://www.nytimes.com/2001/05/04/movies/album-of-the-week.html | url-status = live }}</ref> ''All for You'' was certified double Platinum by the RIAA.<ref name="cert" />

The album's lead single, "[[All for You (Janet Jackson song)|All for You]]", debuted on the Hot 100 at number fourteen, setting a record for the highest debut by a single that was not commercially available.<ref name="Radio Record">{{Citation | last = vanHorn | first = Teri | title = Janet Jackson Single Breaks Radio, Chart Records | publisher = MTV | date = March 9, 2001 | url = http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1441454/20010309/jackson_janet.jhtml | access-date = May 23, 2008 | archive-date = July 24, 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090724155428/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1441454/20010309/jackson_janet.jhtml | url-status = dead }}</ref> Jackson was titled "Queen&nbsp;of&nbsp;Radio" by MTV as the single made airplay history, being "added to every pop, rhythmic and urban radio station" within its first week.<ref name="Radio Record" /> The song broke the overall airplay debut record with a first week audience of seventy million, debuting at number nine on the [[Radio Songs (chart)|Radio Songs]] chart.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Trust |first=Gary |title=Lady Gaga Claims 1,000th Hot 100 No. 1 with 'Born This Way' |magazine=Billboard |date=February 16, 2011 |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/473025/lady-gaga-claims-1000th-hot-100-no-1-with-born-this-way |access-date=February 16, 2011 |archive-date=March 25, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130325075536/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/473025/lady-gaga-claims-1000th-hot-100-no-1-with-born-this-way |url-status=live }}</ref> It topped the Hot 100 for seven weeks, also reaching the top ten in eleven countries.<ref>{{Citation | last = Martens | first = Todd | title = Seven And Counting For Janet At No. 1 | magazine = Billboard | date = May 17, 2001 | url = https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/79721/seven-and-counting-for-janet-at-no-1 | access-date = April 17, 2008 | archive-date = June 6, 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130606013610/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/79721/seven-and-counting-for-janet-at-no-1 | url-status = live }}</ref> The song received a Grammy Award for [[Best Dance Recording]].<ref name="Grammy Awards" /> "[[Someone to Call My Lover]]" peaked at number three on the Hot&nbsp;100.<ref>{{Citation | last = Caulfield | first = Keith | title = Ask Billboard | magazine = Billboard | date = December 24, 2006 | url = https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/56367/ask-billboard | access-date = April 17, 2008 | archive-date = June 6, 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130606023735/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/56367/ask-billboard | url-status = live }}</ref> Built around a sample of the iconic 1972 hit "[[You're So Vain]]" by [[Carly Simon]], "[[Son of a Gun (I Betcha Think This Song Is About You)]]" featured Simon herself, along with [[Missy Elliott]] on remixes of the single.{{citation needed|date=September 2024}}

In July 2001, Jackson embarked on the [[All for You Tour]], which was also broadcast on a concert special for HBO watched by twelve million viewers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogcritics.org/music-dvd-review-janet-jackson-live/comment-page-1/|title=Music DVD Review: Janet Jackson – Live in Hawaii (Re-Release)|work=Blog Critics|date=March 31, 2008|access-date=January 29, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201231450/http://blogcritics.org/music-dvd-review-janet-jackson-live/comment-page-1/|archive-date=February 1, 2014}}</ref> The tour traveled throughout the United States and Japan, although European and Asian dates were required to be canceled following the [[September 11 attacks|September 11 terrorist attacks]]. The ''Los Angeles Times'' complimented Jackson's showmanship.<ref name="All for You Tour">{{Citation| url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-oct-06-ca-53988-story.html| last1=Esparza| first1=Rafael| last2=Massey| first2=David| last3=Scalese| first3=Rudy| title=Let Jackson's Energetic Beat Go On| newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]| page=F–4| date=October 6, 2001| access-date=February 20, 2020| archive-date=September 16, 2018| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180916050703/http://articles.latimes.com/2001/oct/06/entertainment/ca-53988| url-status=live}}</ref> Richard Harrington of ''[[The Washington Post]]'' said Jackson's performance surpassed her contemporaries,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-471830.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114205524/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-471830.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 14, 2014 |title=Janet Jackson, Diva Dynamo|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|last=Harrington |first=Richard|date=August 18, 2001|access-date=September 28, 2010}}</ref> but Bob Massy of ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]'' thought her dancers "threw crisper moves" and her supporting singers were mixed nearly as high, though declared "Janet cast herself as the real entertainment."<ref>{{cite magazine |url={{Google books|m-qexhnZaukC|page=PA54|keywords=|text=|plainurl=yes}} |page=54 |last=Massy |first=Bob |title=Janet Jackson, August 17, 2001, MCI Center, Washington, D.C. |magazine=Spin|date=November 2001 |volume=17 |number=11 |issn=0886-3032}}</ref> Jackson donated a portion of the tour's proceeds to the [[Boys & Girls Clubs of America]].<ref>{{Citation | title=Janet Jackson Announces 'All for You Tour 2001'; Alliance to Support Boys & Girls Clubs of America; Ticket Proceeds To Be Donated As Part Of Nationwide Campaign| publisher=Business Wire | date= May 30, 2001}}</ref>

The following year, Jackson began receiving media attention for her rumored relationships with [[Justin Timberlake]], actor [[Matthew McConaughey]], and record producer [[Jermaine Dupri]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://popdirt.com/miss-jackson-gettin-it-on-with-grammy-co-presenter/3242/|title=Miss Jackson Gettin' It On With Grammy Co-Presenter|work=Popdirt|date=March 21, 2002|access-date=January 4, 2014|archive-date=February 20, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140220175301/http://popdirt.com/miss-jackson-gettin-it-on-with-grammy-co-presenter/3242/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2002/07/13/justin-timberlake-lets-music-ease-toll-on-his-heart/|title=Justin Timberlake Lets Music Ease Toll On His Heart|work=Orlando Sentinel|publisher=Abott, Jim|date=July 13, 2002|access-date=January 4, 2014|archive-date=December 24, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224175108/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2002-07-13/news/0207120443_1_justin-timberlake-warren-sapp-scavenger-hunt|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Citation | last= Norment | first=Lynn | title=Janet & Jermaine| newspaper=[[Ebony (magazine)|Ebony]] |volume=63 |issue= 4| page=82 | date= February 2008 |issn=0012-9011}}</ref> Upon the release of Timberlake's debut solo album ''[[Justified (album)|Justified]],'' Jackson provided vocals on "(And She Said) Take Me Now" per Timberlake's request, with the song initially planned as a single. Jackson collaborated with [[reggae]] artist [[Beenie Man]] for the song "[[Feel It Boy]]", produced by [[the Neptunes]].{{citation needed|date=September 2024}}

=== 2004–2005: Super Bowl XXXVIII controversy and ''Damita Jo'' ===
{{Main|Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show controversy}}

Jackson was chosen by the [[National Football League]] and MTV to perform at the [[Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show]] in February 2004. She performed a medley of "All for You", "Rhythm Nation", and an excerpt of "The Knowledge" before performing "[[Rock Your Body]]" alongside surprise guest Justin Timberlake. As Timberlake sang the lyric "I'm gonna have you naked by the end of this song", he tore open her costume, exposing her right breast to 140 million viewers. The incident was referred to as "nipple gate" by the media.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last1=Sheffield|first1=Rob|date=February 11, 2020|title=How Nipplegate Created YouTube|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/youtube-origin-nipplegate-janet-jackson-justin-timberlake-949019/|access-date=April 3, 2021|magazine=Rolling Stone|language=en-US|archive-date=May 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210515081548/https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/youtube-origin-nipplegate-janet-jackson-justin-timberlake-949019/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Jackson issued an apology after the performance, saying that the incident was accidental and unintended, explaining that Timberlake was only meant to pull away a [[bustier]] and leave the red-lace bra intact.<ref name="apologeticjackson">{{Citation | title = Apologetic Jackson says 'costume reveal' went awry | publisher = [[CNN]] | date = February 3, 2004 | url = http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/02/02/superbowl.jackson/ | access-date = May 20, 2006 | archive-date = February 18, 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100218110403/http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/02/02/superbowl.jackson/ | url-status = live }}</ref> She commented, "I am really sorry if I offended anyone. That was truly not my intention&nbsp;... MTV, CBS, the NFL had no knowledge of this whatsoever, and unfortunately, the whole thing went wrong in the end."<ref>{{Citation | title = Jackson's apology can't stem mass anger | publisher = [[ESPN]] | url = https://www.espn.com/nfl/playoffs03/news/story?id=1724968&partnersite=espn | access-date = March 9, 2008 | date = February 4, 2004 | archive-date = June 10, 2008 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080610061754/http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs03/news/story?id=1724968&partnersite=espn | url-status = live }}</ref> Timberlake also issued an apology, calling the accident a "[[wardrobe malfunction]]".<ref name="apologeticjackson" /> CBS, the NFL, and MTV<ref>CBS's sister network, which produced the halftime show</ref> denied any knowledge of the incident and all responsibility for it. The [[Federal Communications Commission]] heavily fined all companies involved and continued an investigation for eight years, ultimately losing its appeal for a $550,000 fine against CBS.<ref>{{Citation |last=Davidson |first=Paul | title=FCC loses appeal of 'wardrobe malfunction' fine | newspaper=USA Today | page=2b| date=July 22, 2008|issn=0734-7456}}</ref>

Following the incident, CBS permitted Timberlake to appear at the [[2004 Grammy Awards|46th Grammy Awards]] ceremony but did not allow Jackson to attend, forcing her to withdraw after being scheduled as a presenter.<ref>{{cite web| title = Jackson banned from Grammys for Super Bowl stunt| work = The Telegraph| date = May 4, 2004| url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/1453527/Jackson-banned-from-Grammys-for-Super-Bowl-stunt.html| access-date = June 18, 2013| archive-date = March 23, 2013| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130323035518/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/1453527/Jackson-banned-from-Grammys-for-Super-Bowl-stunt.html| url-status = live}}</ref> The controversy halted plans for Jackson to star in the biographical film of singer and activist [[Lena Horne]], which was to be produced by [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]. Horne was reportedly displeased by the incident, but Jackson's representatives stated that she withdrew from the project willingly.<ref>{{cite news | title = Horne: Janet Jackson, don't play me |agency=Associated Press | publisher=CNN | date = February 4, 2004 | url = http://www.cnn.com/2004/SHOWBIZ/TV/02/24/tv.janetjackson.ap/ | access-date = April 3, 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20050220135401/http://www.cnn.com/2004/SHOWBIZ/TV/02/24/tv.janetjackson.ap/ |archive-date = February 20, 2005}}</ref> A [[Mickey Mouse]] statue wearing Jackson's iconic "Rhythm Nation" outfit was mantled at [[Walt Disney World]] theme park the previous year to honor her legacy, but it was removed following her controversial performance.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2004/03/03/disney-world-removes-janet-jackson-inspired-statue/|title=Bust Stop|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|publisher=Susman, Gary|date=March 3, 2004|access-date=January 4, 2014|archive-date=September 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180916050610/https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,597274,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Jackson's eighth studio album ''[[Damita Jo (album)|Damita Jo]]'' was released in March 2004, titled after her middle name. It debuted at number two on the ''Billboard'' 200.<ref name="Billboard Album peaks" /><ref>{{Citation | title = No. 1 Usher Holds Janet To No. 2 Debut | magazine = Billboard | url = https://www.billboard.com/#/news/no-1-usher-holds-janet-to-no-2-debut-1000481059.story | access-date = October 21, 2009 | archive-date = September 13, 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100913150859/http://www.billboard.com/#/news/no-1-usher-holds-janet-to-no-2-debut-1000481059.story | url-status = live }}</ref> The album received mixed to positive reviews, praising the sonic innovation of selected songs and Jackson's vocal harmonies, while others criticized its frequent themes of carnality.<ref name=citypaper>{{cite web|url=http://www2.citypaper.com/story.asp?id=7545|archive-url=https://archive.today/20131210205427/http://www2.citypaper.com/story.asp?id=7545|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 10, 2013|title=Burned: Usher's Confessions of Sexual Prowess Hovers Near The Charts' Tops, but the Naughty Janet Jackson Offers More Sexual Intimacy on Damita Jo – Baltimore City Paper|work=City Paper|publisher=Wood, Mikael|date=June 9, 2004|access-date=January 4, 2014}}</ref> However, several critics' reviews focused on the Super Bowl incident, rather than critiquing the album itself.<ref name=laweekly>{{cite web|url=http://www.laweekly.com/2004-05-06/music/fear-of-a-black-titty/|title=Fear of a Black Titty – Page 1 – Music – Los Angeles|work=LA Weekly|publisher=Hardy, Ernest|date=May 6, 2004|access-date=April 11, 2014|archive-date=May 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160504022131/http://www.laweekly.com/music/fear-of-a-black-titty-2138203|url-status=dead}}</ref> It was certified Platinum by the RIAA within a month, and sold over three million copies worldwide.<ref name="cert" /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.people.com/people/janet_jackson/biography/0,,20004356_10,00.html |title=Janet Jackson Biography |work=[[People (magazine)|People]] |access-date=August 16, 2010 |archive-date=March 7, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110307093553/http://www.people.com/people/janet_jackson/biography/0%2C%2C20004356_10%2C00.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The album's performance was affected by [[blacklist]]ing from radio and music channels, in part at the behest of CBS CEO [[Les Moonves]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/les-moonves-janet-jackson-career_us_5b919b8ce4b0511db3e0a269|title=Les Moonves Was Obsessed With Ruining Janet Jackson's Career, Sources Say|date=September 7, 2018|website=HuffPost UK|access-date=December 15, 2018|archive-date=December 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215045117/https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/les-moonves-janet-jackson-career_us_5b919b8ce4b0511db3e0a269|url-status=live}}</ref> Conglomerates involved in the boycott included [[Viacom (2005–present)|Viacom]] and CBS, subsidiaries MTV, [[Clear Channel Communications]], and [[Infinity Broadcasting]], the latter two among the largest radio broadcasters.<ref name=kreps>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/news/nipple-ripples-10-years-of-fallout-from-janet-jacksons-halftime-show-20140130|title=Nipple Ripples: 10 Years of Fallout From Janet Jackson's Halftime Show|magazine=Rolling Stone|publisher=Kreps, Daniel|access-date=January 30, 2014|date=January 30, 2014|archive-date=January 31, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140131071220/http://www.rollingstone.com/culture/news/nipple-ripples-10-years-of-fallout-from-janet-jacksons-halftime-show-20140130|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Citation | title = Blackballed – Panache Report | publisher = Panach Report | year = 2004 | url = http://panachereport.com/channels/old_school_update/Blackballed.htm | access-date = June 18, 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130916215013/http://panachereport.com/channels/old_school_update/Blackballed.htm | archive-date = September 16, 2013 | url-status=dead}}</ref> The blacklist was placed into effect preceding the release of ''Damita Jo'' and continued throughout the course of Jackson's following two albums. Entertainment conglomerate Viacom owns MTV, VH1, and many radio formats, and a senior executive commented that they were "absolutely bailing on the record. The pressure is so great, they can't align with anything related to Janet. The high-ups are still pissed at her, and this is a punitive measure."<ref name="blender">{{cite book |last=Tannenbaum |first=Robert |year=2004 |title=America's Most Wanted | publisher = [[Blender Magazine]]| page=128}}</ref>

Prior to the incident, ''Damita Jo'' was expected to outsell prior release ''All for You''.<ref name="southcoasttoday.com">{{cite news |url=http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040329/LIFE/303299955 |title=Awaiting 'Damita Jo': SouthCoastToday.com |work=South Coast Today |access-date=October 15, 2013 |date=March 29, 2004 |archive-date=October 16, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016083551/http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040329/LIFE/303299955 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Its three singles received positive reviews but failed to achieve high chart positions, although each was predicted to perform extremely well under different circumstances.<ref name="Newsday">{{cite web|url=http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/music/ |title=A "Sexploration": Janet Jackson's "Damita Jo" album gets lost in the lust |date=March 29, 2004 |access-date=February 7, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140122060228/http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/music |archive-date=January 22, 2014 }}</ref> ''Billboard'' reported that ''Damita Jo'' "was largely overshadowed by the Super Bowl fiasco.... The three singles it spawned were blacklisted by pop radio—they were also the album's biggest highlights".<ref name="Together Again">{{Citation | last = Hope | first = Clover | title = Together Again: Janet Jackson | magazine = Billboard | date = February 4, 2008 | url = https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1046632/together-again-janet-jackson | access-date = March 23, 2008 | archive-date = June 6, 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130606013557/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1046632/together-again-janet-jackson | url-status = live }}</ref>

For the album's promotion, Jackson appeared as a host on ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' performing two songs, and she was also a guest star on the sitcom ''[[Will & Grace]]'' portraying herself.<ref>{{Citation |last1=Hay |first1=Carla | title=The Billboard Backbeat | newspaper=Billboard |volume=116 |issue=35 | pages=60–61 | date=August 28, 2004}}</ref> Jackson received several career accolades upon the album's release, including the "Legend Award" at the [[Radio Music Awards]], "Inspiration Award" from the [[MTV Video Music Awards Japan|Japan Video Music Awards]], "Lifetime Achievement Award" at the [[Soul Train Music Awards]], and a [[Teen Choice Awards]] nomination for "Favorite Female".

In November 2004, she was honored as a role model by [[100 Black Men of America]], Inc. and presented with the organization's Artistic Achievement Award saluting "a career that has gone from success to greater success".<ref>{{Citation | title=New York Chapter Of 100 Black Men Honors Janet Jackson, Hank Aaron, Johnnetta Cole, Willie Gary | newspaper=Jet |volume=106 |issue=23 | page=28 | date=December 6, 2004|issn=0021-5996}}</ref> The organization responded to criticism for honoring Jackson in light of the Super Bowl incident by saying that "an individual's worth can't be judged by a single moment in that person's life."<ref>{{Citation |last1=Browne |first1= J. Zamgba | title=Janet Jackson stirs up controversy at annual gala of 100 Black Men | newspaper=[[New York Amsterdam News]] |volume=95 |issue=47 | page=8 | date=November 18, 2004|issn=0028-7121}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |last1= Berry |first1= Steve | title=Janet Jackson stirs up controversy at annual gala of 100 Black Men | newspaper=[[The Columbus Dispatch]] |volume=95 |issue=47 | page=12.D| date=November 11, 2004|issn=1074-097X}}</ref> In June 2005, she was honored with a Humanitarian Award by the [[Human Rights Campaign]] and [[AIDS Project Los Angeles]] as recognition for her involvement in raising money for AIDS charities.<ref>{{Citation | title = Janet Jackson Receives HRC Award – Towleroad | publisher = Towleroad.com | date = June 20, 2005 | url = http://www.towleroad.com/2005/06/janet_jackson_r.html | access-date = September 9, 2010 | archive-date = April 5, 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150405140133/http://www.towleroad.com/2005/06/janet_jackson_r.html | url-status = live }}</ref>

==== Impact on the Internet ====
The Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show is considered to be one of the most controversial televised events in history, and Jackson was later listed in ''Guinness World Records'' as the "Most Searched in Internet History" and the "Most Searched for News Item".<ref>{{Citation|title=Star-studded 2007 edition of Guinness World Records released|date=September 29, 2006|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/star-studded-2007-edition-of-guinness-world-records-released-1.572138|publisher=[[CBC News]]|access-date=March 19, 2012|archive-date=November 8, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108122510/http://www.cbc.ca/m/touch/arts/story/2006/09/29/guinness-record-book.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The incident became the most recorded and replayed moment in [[TiVo]] history, enticing an estimated 35,000 new subscribers.<ref>{{Citation|title=Numbers|date=February 16, 2004|newspaper=Time|volume=163|issue=7|page=19|issn=0040-781X}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|last=Burke|first=Monte|title=The Ripple Effect|date=March 1, 2004|url=https://www.forbes.com/forbes/2004/0301/046a.html|newspaper=Time|volume=173|issue=4|page=46|issn=0015-6914|access-date=September 1, 2017|archive-date=September 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909011539/https://www.forbes.com/forbes/2004/0301/046a.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Jawed Karim]] has stated that the incident inspired the creation of [[YouTube]], as he noted that it was difficult for him to find videos of the incident online.<ref>{{cite web|last=Hopkins|first=Jim|date=October 11, 2006|title=Surprise! There's a third YouTube co-founder|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/tech/news/2006-10-11-youtube-karim_x.htm|access-date=March 26, 2017|website=[[USA Today]]|archive-date=August 5, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170805161152/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/tech/news/2006-10-11-youtube-karim_x.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== 2006–2007: ''20 Y.O.'' and ''Why Did I Get Married?'' ===
[[File:Janet Jackson.jpg|thumb|180px|right|Jackson promoting her 2006 studio album, ''[[20 Y.O.]]'']]
Jackson began recording her ninth studio album, ''[[20 Y.O.]]'', in 2005. She recorded with producers Dupri, Jam and Lewis for several months during the following year. The album's title was a reference to the two decades since the release of her breakthrough album ''Control'', representing the album's "celebration of the joyful liberation and history-making musical style".<ref name="Janet's Juggernaut">{{Citation |url = https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/57333/janets-juggernaut |title = Janet's Juggernaut |last = Coveney |first = Janine |newspaper = Billboard |date = September 5, 2006 |access-date = September 13, 2010 |archive-date = September 29, 2014 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140929190849/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/57333/janets-juggernaut |url-status = live }}</ref>

To promote the album, Jackson appeared in various magazines, and performed on the ''[[Today (U.S. TV program)|Today Show]]'' and at the Billboard Awards. Jackson's ''[[Us Weekly]]'' cover, revealing her slim figure after heavy media focus was placed on her fluctuations in weight, became the magazine's best-selling issue in history.<ref>The best-selling issue in ''Us Weekly'' history was the Janet Jackson mag, which sold a record 1.4 million the week of May 26. {{Citation|last=Kelly |first=Keith| title = MLad Mag's Coverup – Fhm Wraps Racy Glossy After Hudson News Complaint| newspaper=New York Post | date=June 23, 2006 | page = 36}}</ref> ''20 Y.O.'' was released in September 2006 and debuted at number two on the ''Billboard''&nbsp;200.<ref name="Billboard Album peaks" /> The album received mixed reviews, with multiple critics chastising the production and involvement of Jermaine Dupri.<ref name="Serpick" /> ''Rolling Stone'' disagreed with the album's reference to ''Control'', saying "If we were her, we wouldn't make the comparison."<ref name="Serpick">{{Citation |last=Serpick |first=Evan |title=Janet Jackson: 20 Y.O. : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone |date=October 3, 2006 |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/janetjackson/albums/album/11571388/review/11942285/20_yo |access-date=July 19, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080503060722/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/janetjackson/albums/album/11571388/review/11942285/20_yo |archive-date=May 3, 2008}}</ref>

Jackson's airplay and music channel blacklist remained persistent, massively affecting her chart performance and exposure.<ref name="kreps" /><ref>{{Citation | title = Janet Blacklist? | publisher = TMZ | date = July 28, 2006 | url = https://www.tmz.com/2006/07/28/janet-blacklist/ | access-date = June 18, 2013 | archive-date = November 14, 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141114085516/http://www.tmz.com/2006/07/28/janet-blacklist/ | url-status = live }}</ref> However, lead single "[[Call on Me (Janet Jackson song)|Call on Me]]", which featured rapper [[Nelly]], peaked at number twenty-five on the Hot 100, number one on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, and number six in the United Kingdom.<ref name="US-singles" /> The video for the album's second single, "[[So Excited (Janet Jackson song)|So Excited]]", was directed by [[Joseph Kahn (director)|Joseph Kahn]] and portrayed Jackson's clothes disappearing through a complex dance routine.

''20 Y.O.'' was certified Platinum by the RIAA and sold 1.5 million copies worldwide, also receiving a Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary R&B Album.<ref name="cert" /><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1046834/ask-billboard |title=Ask Billboard |magazine=Billboard |date=January 6, 2007 |access-date=July 14, 2010 |archive-date=June 6, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130606023719/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1046834/ask-billboard |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/music/celebrity/janet-jacksons-life-in-photos/ss-AAAj0QE#image=26 |title=Janet Jackson's life in photos |last=Turner |first=Mariel |date=July 19, 2018 |publisher=[[MSN]] |access-date=January 17, 2019 |quote=The 2006 project was certified Platinum, with 1.5 million copies sold, but never really found its footing. |archive-date=January 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190117174417/https://www.msn.com/en-us/music/celebrity/janet-jacksons-life-in-photos/ss-AAAj0QE#image=26 |url-status=live }}</ref>
After the album's release, Dupri was condemned for his production and misguidance of the album, and subsequently was removed from his position at Virgin Records.<ref>{{Citation |last1=Mitchell |first1=Gail |last2=Garrity |first2=Brian| title=Dupri Exit Fuels Rumors | newspaper=Billboard |volume=118 |issue=44 | page=10 | date=November 4, 2006|issn=0006-2510}}</ref> ''[[Slant Magazine]]'' stated, "After promising a return to Janet's dance-pop origins, [Dupri] opted to aim for urban audiences, a colossal mistake that cost Dupri his job and, probably, Janet her deal with Virgin."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/house/2006/11/postkatrina-musicand-an-american-idol-dropout|title=Post-Katrina Music...and an American Idol Dropout|work=Slant Magazine|publisher=Cinquemani, Sal|access-date=December 4, 2014|date=September 11, 2006|archive-date=November 14, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114102329/http://www.slantmagazine.com/house/2006/11/postkatrina-musicand-an-american-idol-dropout|url-status=live}}</ref>

Jackson was ranked the seventh richest woman in the entertainment industry by ''Forbes'', having amassed a fortune of over $150 million.<ref>{{Citation | last = Goldman | first = Lea | author2 = Kiri Blakeley | title = The 20 Richest Women In Entertainment | work = Forbes | date = January 18, 2007 | url = https://www.forbes.com/2007/01/17/richest-women-entertainment-tech-media-cz_lg_richwomen07_0118womenstars_lander.html | access-date = September 3, 2008 | archive-date = November 24, 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171124092119/https://www.forbes.com/2007/01/17/richest-women-entertainment-tech-media-cz_lg_richwomen07_0118womenstars_lander.html | url-status = live }}</ref> In 2007, she starred opposite [[Tyler Perry]] as a psychotherapist in the film ''[[Why Did I Get Married?]]''. It became her third consecutive film to open at number one at the box office, grossing $60 million.<ref>{{Citation| last = Ryan | first = Joal | title = Just Call It Tyler Perry's Box Office |work=[[E! News]] | date = October 15, 2007| url = http://uk.eonline.com/uberblog/b56440_Just_Call_It_Tyler_Perrys_Box_Office.html | access-date = September 17, 2010 }}</ref> Jackson's performance was praised for its "soft authority", though also described as "charming, yet bland".<ref>{{Citation| last = Scheib| first = Ronnie | title = Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married? | newspaper=Variety | date = October 2007| page=32|volume=408|issue=10|issn=0042-2738}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | last = Morris | first = Wesley | title = 'Married' is involving, if not blissful | work = [[The Boston Globe]] | date = October 13, 2007 | url = https://www.boston.com/movies/display?display=movie&id=10489 | access-date = July 29, 2008 | archive-date = December 23, 2008 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081223014618/http://www.boston.com/movies/display?display=movie&id=10489 | url-status = live }}</ref>

=== 2008–2009: ''Discipline'' and ''Number Ones'' ===
[[File:Janet Jackson 19.jpg|left|thumb|180px|Jackson performing during the 2008 [[Rock Witchu Tour]]]]

Jackson signed with [[Island Records]] after her contract with Virgin was fulfilled. She interrupted plans for touring and began recording with various producers, including [[Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins]], [[Tricky Stewart]], and [[Stargate (production team)|Stargate]].<ref>{{Citation | title = Janet Jackson Sets Sights On Fall Tour, Book | magazine = Billboard | date = July 3, 2008 | url = https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1046327/janet-jackson-sets-sights-on-fall-tour-book | access-date = February 7, 2014 | archive-date = September 13, 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140913101446/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1046327/janet-jackson-sets-sights-on-fall-tour-book | url-status = live }}</ref> Her tenth studio album, ''[[Discipline (Janet Jackson album)|Discipline]]'', was released in February 2008, opening at number one.<ref name="Billboard Album peaks" /> Despite radio blacklisting, the album's first single "[[Feedback (Janet Jackson song)|Feedback]]" peaked at number nineteen on the Hot&nbsp;100 and nine on [[Pop Songs]], her highest-charting single since "Someone to Call My Lover".<ref name="US-singles" /><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/1496802/janet/chart?sort=position&f=362|title=Janet – Chart history|magazine=Billboard|access-date=March 24, 2013|archive-date=June 30, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630070923/http://www.billboard.com/artist/1496802/janet/chart?sort=position&f=362|url-status=live}}</ref>

Also in February 2008, Jackson won an [[Image Award]] for "Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture" for the role.<ref>{{Citation |last1= Christian |first1=Margena A | title=NAACP Honors Showbiz Veterans, Newcomers At Image Awards | newspaper=[[Jet (magazine)|Jet]] |volume=113 |issue=8 | page=52 | date=March 3, 2008}}</ref> Jackson was also approached to record the lead single for the film ''[[Rush Hour 3]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1559084/jermaine-dupri-janet-will-switch-labels.jhtml|title=Jermaine Dupri Says Janet Will Switch Labels, Be On 'Rush Hour 3' LP|publisher=MTV News|date=May 9, 2007|access-date=February 14, 2014|archive-date=March 2, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302051803/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1559084/jermaine-dupri-janet-will-switch-labels.jhtml|url-status=dead}}</ref> Jackson was awarded the Vanguard Award at the 19th annual GLAAD Media Awards, honoring her contributions in promoting equal rights among the gay community.<ref name=gladd /> The organization's president commented, "Ms. Jackson has a tremendous following inside the LGBT community and out, and having her stand with us against the defamation that LGBT people still face in our country is extremely significant."<ref name=gladd />

Jackson's fifth concert tour, the [[Rock Witchu Tour]], began in September 2008.<ref>{{Citation | last = Harrington | first = Jim | title = Review: The hits kept coming at Janet Jackson's Oakland show | newspaper=[[Oakland Tribune]] | date = September 14, 2008| issn = 1068-5936}}</ref> Jackson parted with Island Records through mutual agreement. ''Billboard'' disclosed Jackson was dissatisfied with [[L.A. Reid]]'s handling of the album and its promotion, saying "the label agreed to dissolve their relationship with the artist at her request."<ref name="Concepcion">{{Citation |first=Mariel |last=Concepcion |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1044010/janet-jackson-parts-ways-with-island-def-jam |title=Janet Jackson Parts Ways With Island Def Jam |magazine=Billboard |date=September 22, 2008 |access-date=September 22, 2008 |archive-date=June 6, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130606015129/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1044010/janet-jackson-parts-ways-with-island-def-jam |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart_watch/51507/week-ending-april-11-2010-bieber-bounces-back/ |title=Week Ending April 11, 2010: Bieber Bounces Back |publisher=Yahoo! |date=April 14, 2010 |access-date=May 16, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100417002609/http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart_watch/51507/week-ending-april-11-2010-bieber-bounces-back/ |archive-date=April 17, 2010}}</ref> Producer [[Rodney Jerkins]] expressed "I felt like it wasn't pushed correctly.... She just didn't get her just due as an artist of that magnitude."<ref>{{citation|title=Janet Jackson splits with record label|url=https://www.nme.com/news/janet-jackson/39889|newspaper=[[NME]]|date=September 20, 2008|access-date=October 8, 2009|archive-date=September 1, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090901190252/http://www.nme.com/news/janet-jackson/39889|url-status=live}}</ref>

In June 2009, Jackson's [[Death of Michael Jackson|brother Michael died]] at age fifty. She spoke publicly concerning his death at the 2009 [[BET Awards]], stating "I'd just like to say, to you, Michael is an icon, to us, Michael is family. And he will forever live in all of our hearts. On behalf of my family and myself, thank you for all of your love, thank you for all of your support. We miss him so much."<ref>{{citation|last=Carter|first=Kelley|title=An emotional Janet Jackson thanks fans at BET Awards|newspaper=USA Today|url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2009-06-29-bet-awards-jackson_N.htm|date=June 28, 2009|access-date=June 28, 2009|archive-date=July 1, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090701063711/http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2009-06-29-bet-awards-jackson_N.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> In an interview, she revealed she had first learned of his death while filming ''[[Why Did I Get Married Too?]]''.

Amidst mourning with her family, she focused on work to deal with the grief, avoiding any news coverage of her sibling's death. She commented, "it's still important to face reality, and not that I'm running, but sometimes you just need to get away for a second."<ref name="HB">{{citation|last=Brown|first=Laura|title=Janet Jackson Takes Control|newspaper=[[Harper's Bazaar]]|page=244|date=October 2009|issn=0017-7873}}</ref> During this time, she ended her seven-year relationship with Jermaine Dupri.<ref name="HB" />

Several months later, Jackson performed a tribute to Michael at the [[2009 MTV Video Music Awards]], performing their duet "Scream".<ref>{{citation|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1621392/20090913/madonna.jhtml|title=VMAs Kick Off with Madonna and Janet's Tribute to Michael Jackson|last=Kaufman|first=Gil|date=September 13, 2009|publisher=MTV News|access-date=September 14, 2009|archive-date=September 22, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090922190441/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1621392/20090913/madonna.jhtml|url-status=dead}}</ref> MTV stated "there was no one better than Janet to anchor it and send a really powerful message."<ref name="SF">{{citation|last=Kinon|first=Cristina|title=Janet Jackson to do dance tribute for Michael to kick off VMAs|newspaper=Daily News|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/2009/09/11/2009-09-11_janet_jackson_to_do_dance_tribute_for_michael_to_kick_off_vmas.html|date=September 11, 2009|access-date=September 19, 2009|location=New York|archive-date=September 15, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090915003205/http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/2009/09/11/2009-09-11_janet_jackson_to_do_dance_tribute_for_michael_to_kick_off_vmas.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> The performance was lauded by critics, with ''Entertainment Weekly'' affirming the rendition "as energetic as it was heartfelt".<ref>{{citation|last=Slezak|first=Michael|title=Janet Jackson single-handedly saves MTV VMA tribute to Michael Jackson|url=http://music-mix.ew.com/2009/09/14/janet-jackson-michael-jackson-vmas-2009|date=September 13, 2009|newspaper=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=September 16, 2009|archive-date=September 25, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090925023531/http://music-mix.ew.com/2009/09/14/janet-jackson-michael-jackson-vmas-2009/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Jackson's second hits compilation, ''[[Number Ones (Janet Jackson album)|Number Ones]]'' (retitled ''The Best'' for international releases), was released in November 2009. For promotion, she performed a medley of hits at the [[American Music Awards of 2009|American Music Awards]], [[95.8 Capital FM|Capital FM]]'s [[Jingle Bell Ball]] at London's [[The O2 Arena|O2 arena]], and ''[[The X-Factor]]''.<ref>{{citation|last=Kaufman|first=Gil|title=Janet Jackson Kicks Off American Music Awards With Energetic Medley/Singer performed her new single, 'Make Me.'|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1626828/20091122/jackson_janet.jhtml|publisher=MTV|date=November 22, 2009|access-date=November 22, 2009|archive-date=November 26, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091126125636/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1626828/20091122/jackson_janet.jhtml|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{citation|title=Janet Jackson – Capital FM|url=http://www.capitalfm.com/jingle-bell-ball/2009/sunday/janet-jackson/|publisher=[[95.8 Capital FM]]|date=October 20, 2009|access-date=October 20, 2009|archive-date=April 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402174828/http://www.capitalfm.com/jingle-bell-ball/2009/sunday/janet-jackson/|url-status=live}}</ref> The album's promotional single "[[Make Me (Janet Jackson song)|Make Me]]", produced with Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, debuted in September.<ref>{{citation|last=Kaufman|first=Gil|title=Janet Jackson Releases New Single Following VMA Performance|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1621430/20090914/jackson_janet.jhtml|publisher=MTV|date=September 14, 2009|access-date=September 14, 2009|archive-date=September 22, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090922205956/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1621430/20090914/jackson_janet.jhtml|url-status=dead}}</ref> It became Jackson's nineteenth number one on the [[Hot Dance Club Songs]] chart, making her the first artist to have number-one singles in four separate decades.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/#/column/chartbeat/chart-highlights-country-dance-club-play-1004054789.story|title=Chart Highlights: Adult Contemporary, Pop, Jazz & More|date=December 21, 2009|magazine=Billboard|access-date=December 21, 2009|archive-date=September 13, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100913150859/http://www.billboard.com/#/column/chartbeat/chart-highlights-country-dance-club-play-1004054789.story|url-status=live}}</ref>

Later that month, Jackson chaired the inaugural benefit of amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, held in [[Milan]] in conjunction with [[fashion week]]. The foundation's CEO stated "We are profoundly grateful to Janet Jackson for joining amfAR as a chair of its first event in Milan... She brings incomparable grace and a history of dedication to the fight against AIDS."<ref>{{citation|title=Janet Jackson to Chair amfAR's Inaugural Milan Fashion Week Event|publisher=amfAR|url=http://www.amfar.org/spotlight/article.aspx?id=7847&terms=janet+jackson|date=August 24, 2009|access-date=September 28, 2009|archive-date=March 6, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100306215317/http://www.amfar.org/spotlight/article.aspx?id=7847&terms=janet+jackson|url-status=live}}</ref> The event raised $1.1 million for the nonprofit organization.

=== 2010–2014: Film projects and ''True You'' ===
In April 2010, Jackson reprised her role in the sequel to ''Why Did I Get Married?'' titled ''Why Did I Get Married Too?''. The film opened at number two, grossing sixty million.<ref>{{citation|last=Flint|first=Joe|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-box-officeside5-2010apr05,0,7889804.story|title=Tyler Perry's impressive weekend|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=April 5, 2010|access-date=April 6, 2010|archive-date=March 5, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240305130027/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2010-apr-05-la-et-box-officeside5-2010apr05-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Jackson's performance was hailed as "invigorating and oddly funny", and praised for her "willingness to be seen at her most disheveled".<ref>{{citation|last=Hale|first=Mike|title=Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married Too? (2010): At Couples' Reunion, Laughs, Then Grief|url=https://movies.nytimes.com/2010/04/03/movies/03tyler.html|newspaper=The New York Times|date=April 7, 2010|access-date=April 7, 2010|archive-date=April 6, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100406001041/http://movies.nytimes.com/2010/04/03/movies/03tyler.html?|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{citation|last=Cooper|first=Jackie|title=''"Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married Too?": Why Did He Make a Two?''|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/jackie-k-cooper/tyler-perrys-why-did-i-ge_b_525126.html|date=April 5, 2010|access-date=April 6, 2010|work=The Huffington Post|archive-date=April 9, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100409152302/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jackie-k-cooper/tyler-perrys-why-did-i-ge_b_525126.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Her performance earned her an Image Award for "Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture".<ref>[http://www.naacpimageawards.net/42/nominees-and-honorees/motion-picture/ "The 42nd NAACP Image Awards – Motion Picture"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110112080712/http://www.naacpimageawards.net/42/nominees-and-honorees/motion-picture/ |date=January 12, 2011 }}, [[NAACP Image Awards]], January 12, 2011. Retrieved January 12, 2011.</ref> Jackson recorded the film's theme, "[[Nothing (Janet Jackson song)|Nothing]]", released as a promotional single.<ref>Rodriguez, Jayson (February 18, 2010),[http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1632205/20100218/dupri_jermaine.jhtml "Jermaine Dupri Says New Janet Jackson Song Is 'A Good Record'"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100222220143/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1632205/20100218/dupri_jermaine.jhtml |date=February 22, 2010 }}, MTV. Retrieved April 7, 2010.</ref> The song was performed on the [[American Idol (season 9)|ninth season]] finale of ''[[American Idol]]'' along with "Again" and "Nasty".<ref>{{cite web|last=Downey|first=Ryan J.|date=May 27, 2010|title='American Idol' Finale Ratings the Lowest Since Season One|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1640212/20100527/story.jhtml|publisher=MTV News|access-date=May 27, 2010|archive-date=May 31, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100531174121/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1640212/20100527/story.jhtml|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In July, Jackson modeled for the [[Blackglama]] clothing line featuring [[mink]] fur,<ref name="fur">{{citation|author=Ella Ngo|title=Poll: Are You Fur or Against Janet Jackson's New Ad|url=http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b192769_poll_are_you_fur_against_janet_jacksons.html|publisher=[[E! Online|E!]]|date=July 29, 2010|access-date=July 29, 2010|archive-date=August 1, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100801150229/http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b192769_poll_are_you_fur_against_janet_jacksons.html|url-status=live}}</ref> then helped design a signature line of clothing and accessories for Blackglama, to be sold at [[Saks Fifth Avenue]] and [[Bloomingdales]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://fashionetc.com/news/celebrity/3848-janet-jackson-blackglama-collection |title=Janet Jackson's Blackglama Collection |last=Donnelly |first=Erin |date=November 21, 2011 |work=Fashion Etc |access-date=May 7, 2014 |archive-date=May 8, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508025140/http://fashionetc.com/news/celebrity/3848-janet-jackson-blackglama-collection |url-status=live }}</ref> Universal Music released the hits compilation ''[[Icon: Number Ones]]'' as the debut of the ''[[Icon (album series)|Icon]]'' compilation series.

In November 2010, Jackson starred as Joanna in the drama ''[[For Colored Girls]]'', the film adaptation of [[Ntozake Shange]]'s 1975 play ''[[For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow Is Enuf|For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf]]''. ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'' stated Jackson "recites verses written by Ntozake Shange, the author of the play that inspired the film&nbsp;... But instead of offering up a mannered coffeehouse reading of the lines, Jackson makes the words sound like ordinary—though very eloquent—speech."<ref>{{citation|author=Christopher John Farley|title=Janet Jackson Tackles Poetry in 'For Colored Girls'|url=https://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2010/11/02/janet-jackson-tackles-poetry-in-for-colored-girls|newspaper=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|date=November 2, 2010|access-date=November 2, 2010|archive-date=November 5, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101105024858/http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2010/11/02/janet-jackson-tackles-poetry-in-for-colored-girls/|url-status=live}}</ref> Jackson's portrayal in the film was likened to [[Meryl Streep]] as [[Miranda Priestly]] in ''[[The Devil Wears Prada (film)|The Devil Wears Prada]]''.<ref name="Dargis">{{citation|author=Manohla Dargis|title=A Powerful Chorus Harmonizing 'Dark Phrases of Womanhood'|url=https://movies.nytimes.com/2010/11/05/movies/05for.html|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=November 4, 2010|access-date=November 4, 2010|archive-date=November 6, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101106081613/http://movies.nytimes.com/2010/11/05/movies/05for.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{citation|author=Randy Myers|title=Review: Cast elevates 'For Colored Girls' from soap opera territory|url=http://www.mercurynews.com/movies-dvd/ci_16493615|newspaper=[[San Jose Mercury News]]|date=November 4, 2010|access-date=November 4, 2010|archive-date=February 6, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120206165245/http://www.mercurynews.com/movies-dvd/ci_16493615|url-status=live}}</ref> Her performance earned [[Black Reel Awards]] nominations in the categories of [[Black Reel Award for Best Supporting Actress|Outstanding Supporting Actress]] and [[Black Reel Award for Best Ensemble|Outstanding Ensemble]].<ref>{{citation|title=2011 Black Reel Awards Nominations |url=http://blackreelawards.wordpress.com/2010/12/15/2011-black-reel-awards-nominations/ |publisher=[[Black Reel Awards]] |date=December 15, 2010 |access-date=December 17, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101221000645/http://blackreelawards.wordpress.com/2010/12/15/2011-black-reel-awards-nominations/ |archive-date=December 21, 2010 }}</ref>

[[File:Janet Number Ones.jpg|thumb|right|Jackson performing during the 2011 [[Number Ones, Up Close and Personal]] tour]]
Jackson announced plans to embark on her largest world tour in support of her second hits collection, ''Number Ones''.<ref name="2011 tour">{{citation |url=http://www.theboombox.com/2010/11/19/janet-jackson-announces-2011-plans/ |title=Janet Jackson Announces 2011 Plans, Asks Fans for Questions |work=The Boombox |publisher=[[AOL]] |date=November 19, 2010 |access-date=November 19, 2010 |archive-date=November 21, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101121034752/http://www.theboombox.com/2010/11/19/janet-jackson-announces-2011-plans/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The tour, entitled [[Number Ones, Up Close and Personal]], held concerts in thirty-five global cities, selected by fans who submitted suggestions on her official website.<ref name="2011 tour" /> During the tour, Jackson performed thirty-five number one hits and dedicated a song to each city.<ref name="2011 tour" /> [[Mattel]] released a limited-edition [[Barbie]] of Jackson titled "Divinely Janet", auctioned for over $15,000, with proceeds donated to [[Project Angel Food]].<ref>{{citation|author=Amber Katz|title=This Janet Jackson Barbie Doll Is All We Want For Christmas!|url=http://buzzworthy.mtv.com/2010/12/10/janet-jackson-barbie-doll/|publisher=MTV|date=December 10, 2010|access-date=April 8, 2011|archive-date=December 17, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101217011008/http://buzzworthy.mtv.com/2010/12/10/janet-jackson-barbie-doll|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Jackson released the [[self-help]] book ''[[True You: A Journey to Finding and Loving Yourself]]'' in February 2011, co-written with David Ritz. It chronicled her struggle with weight and confidence, also publishing letters from fans. It topped [[The New York Times Best Seller list|''The New York Times{{'}}'' Best Seller list]] the following month.<ref>{{citation|title=Best Sellers – The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2011-03-06/hardcover-advice/list.html|newspaper=The New York Times|date=February 28, 2011|access-date=February 28, 2011|first=Jennifer|last=Schuessler|archive-date=February 28, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110228085646/http://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2011-03-06/hardcover-advice/list.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Additionally, she signed a film production contract with [[Lions Gate Entertainment]] to "select, develop and produce a feature film for the independent studio."<ref name="PM">{{citation|author=Pamela McClintock|title=Janet Jackson Signs Film Production Deal with Lionsgate (Exclusive)|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/janet-jackson-signs-film-production-167872|newspaper=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=March 15, 2011|access-date=March 17, 2011|archive-date=March 18, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110318085223/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/janet-jackson-signs-film-production-167872|url-status=live}}</ref>

Jackson became the first female pop singer to perform at the [[I. M. Pei]] glass pyramid at the [[Musée du Louvre|Louvre Museum]], raising contributions for the restoration of iconic artwork.<ref>{{citation|title=Janet Jackson to Perform at Paris' Louvre Museum|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/janet-jackson-perform-at-paris-175694|newspaper=The Hollywood Reporter|date=April 6, 2011|access-date=April 8, 2011|archive-date=April 13, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110413062912/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/janet-jackson-perform-at-paris-175694|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{citation|author=Sonya E|title=Janet Jackson To Make History In Paris|url=http://www.s2smagazine.com/stories/2011/04/janet-jackson-make-history-paris|newspaper=[[Sister 2 Sister]]|date=April 8, 2011|access-date=April 9, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110411082009/http://www.s2smagazine.com/stories/2011/04/janet-jackson-make-history-paris|archive-date=April 11, 2011}}</ref> Jackson was selected to endorse fashion line ''Blackglama'' for a second year, being the first celebrity in the line's history chosen to do so.<ref>[http://www.rttnews.com/Content/EntertainmentNews.aspx?Section=2&Id=1700517&SM=1 "Janet Jackson Featured In New Blackglama Ad Campaign"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111212163112/http://www.rttnews.com/Content/EntertainmentNews.aspx?Section=2&Id=1700517&SM=1 |date=December 12, 2011 }}, RTTNews, August 25, 2011. Retrieved August 26, 2011.</ref> She partnered with the label to release a fifteen-piece collection of luxury products.<ref>{{citation|author=Coleen Nika|title=News Roundup: Lady Gaga's Barney's Workshop, Rihanna's Collection, Janet Jackson's New Line And More|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/blogs/thread-count/news-roundup-lady-gagas-barneys-workshop-rihannas-collection-janet-jacksons-new-line-and-more-20111123|newspaper=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=November 23, 2011|access-date=November 29, 2011|archive-date=November 26, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111126045215/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/blogs/thread-count/news-roundup-lady-gagas-barneys-workshop-rihannas-collection-janet-jacksons-new-line-and-more-20111123|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2012, Jackson endorsed [[Nutrisystem]], sponsoring their weight-loss program after struggling with weight fluctuations in the past.<ref name="nutri">{{citation|author=Elizabeth Olson|title=Weight Loss, With Divas and Public Service|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/15/business/media/weight-loss-with-divas-and-public-service-angles.html|newspaper=The New York Times|date=December 14, 2011|access-date=January 3, 2012|archive-date=January 5, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120105151029/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/15/business/media/weight-loss-with-divas-and-public-service-angles.html|url-status=live}}</ref> With the program, she donated ten million dollars in meals to the hungry.<ref name="nutri" /> She was honored by amfAR for her contributions to AIDS research when chairing the Cinema Against AIDS gala during the [[Cannes Film Festival]].<ref>{{citation|author=Michelle Salemi|title=Janet Jackson's AmfAR Advocacy Goes Beyond Galas|url=https://variety.com/2013/music/features/amfar-1200484249/#!1/janet-jackson/|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=May 23, 2013|access-date=November 12, 2013|archive-date=August 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230821020344/https://variety.com/2013/music/features/amfar-1200484249/#!1/janet-jackson/|url-status=live}}</ref> She also participated in a public service announcement for [[UNICEF]] to help starving children.<ref>{{citation|title=Janet Jackson Teams Up with UNICEF to Fight Hunger|url=http://www.etonline.com/music/134692_Janet_Jackson_Teams_Up_with_UNICEF_to_Fight_Hunger/|publisher=[[ETonline]]|date=February 25, 2013|access-date=December 11, 2013|archive-date=December 11, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131211213517/http://www.etonline.com/music/134692_Janet_Jackson_Teams_Up_with_UNICEF_to_Fight_Hunger/|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== 2015–2019: ''Unbreakable'', touring and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ===
On May 16, 2015, Jackson announced plans to release a new album and to embark on a world concert tour.<ref>{{cite web|author1=Billboard Staff|title=Janet Jackson Announces New Album, Tour |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6568528/janet-jackson-announces-new-album-tour |access-date=May 16, 2015|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|agency=[[Prometheus Global Media]]|date=May 16, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150516215713/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6568528/janet-jackson-announces-new-album-tour|archive-date=May 16, 2015|url-status=live|location=United States}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=McLaughlin |first1=Eliott C.|last2=Sutton |first2=Joe |title='From my lips,' Janet Jackson announces new album, world tour |url=http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/17/entertainment/janet-jackson-new-album-tour/ |access-date=May 17, 2015 |publisher=CNN |agency=[[Turner Broadcasting System]] ([[Time Warner]]) |date=May 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150520033947/http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/17/entertainment/janet-jackson-new-album-tour |archive-date=May 20, 2015 |url-status=live |location=United States}}</ref> She outlined her intention to release her new album in the fall of 2015 under her own record label, Rhythm Nation, distributed by [[BMG Rights Management]].<ref>{{cite magazine|author=Andrew Hampp|title=Janet Jackson to Release New Album This Fall Via Rhythm Nation/BMG|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/6583268/janet-jackson-new-album-fall-rhythm-nation-bmg|access-date=June 3, 2015|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|agency=[[Prometheus Global Media]]|date=June 3, 2015|archive-date=June 4, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150604144404/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/6583268/janet-jackson-new-album-fall-rhythm-nation-bmg|url-status=live}}</ref> The launch of Rhythm Nation established Jackson as one of the few African-American female musicians to own a record label.<ref>{{citation|title=Janet Jackson back with new album – and record-breaking new deal with BMG|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/jun/03/janet-jackson-new-album-record-breaking-deal-bmg-rhythm-nation|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=June 3, 2015|access-date=June 5, 2015|last1=Music|first1=Guardian|archive-date=June 5, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150605095725/http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/jun/03/janet-jackson-new-album-record-breaking-deal-bmg-rhythm-nation|url-status=live}}</ref>

On June 15, 2015, Jackson announced the first set of dates for the North American leg of her [[Unbreakable World Tour (Janet Jackson tour)|Unbreakable World Tour]].<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Hampp|first1=Andrew|title=Janet Jackson Announces Unbreakable World Tour |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/6598120/janet-jackson-announces-unbreakable-world-tour|access-date=June 15, 2015|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|agency=[[Prometheus Global Media]]|date=June 15, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150617003819/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/6598120/janet-jackson-announces-unbreakable-world-tour|archive-date=June 17, 2015|url-status=live|location=United States}}</ref> On June 22, the lead single "[[No Sleeep]]" was released from the album.<ref>{{cite magazine|author=Erika Ramirez |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/the-juice/6605590/janet-jackson-releases-new-song-no-sleep-listen |title=Janet Jackson Releases New Song, 'No Sleep': Listen|magazine=Billboard |date=June 22, 2015 |access-date=June 22, 2015}}</ref> Jackson's solo version of the single debuted on the Hot 100 at number 67, marking her 40th entry on the chart.<ref>{{cite magazine|author=Gary Trust|title=Wiz Khalifa No. 1 on Hot 100 'Again,' Selena Gomez Debuts at No. 9|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6613247/wiz-khalifa-no-1-hot-100-selena-gomez-debuts|magazine=Billboard|date=July 1, 2015|access-date=July 1, 2015|archive-date=January 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107223910/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6613247/wiz-khalifa-no-1-hot-100-selena-gomez-debuts|url-status=live}}</ref> The song went to number 1 on the Billboard + Twitter Trending 140 immediately following the release.<ref>{{cite magazine|title = Janet Jackson Leads Trending 140, Pentatonix's Michael Jackson Medley Hits Top Five|magazine = [[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|url = https://www.billboard.com/articles/chart-beat/real-time-charts/6605670/janet-michael-jackson-pentatonix-trending-140|access-date = September 24, 2015|date = June 22, 2015|archive-date = September 24, 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150924044444/http://www.billboard.com/articles/chart-beat/real-time-charts/6605670/janet-michael-jackson-pentatonix-trending-140|url-status = live}}</ref> The album version featuring [[J. Cole]] enabled it to re-enter the Hot 100 with a new peak position at number 63, while also topping the [[Adult R&B Songs]] chart.<ref>{{cite magazine|author=Gary Trust|title=Hot 100 Chart Moves: Charlie Puth & Meghan Trainor's 'Marvin Gaye' Hits Top 40|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6656636/charlie-puth-meghan-trainor-marvin-gaye-hot-100-top-40|magazine=Billboard|date=August 6, 2015|access-date=August 10, 2015|archive-date=August 9, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150809215023/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6656636/charlie-puth-meghan-trainor-marvin-gaye-hot-100-top-40|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|author=Amaya Mendizabal|title=Janet Jackson's 'No Sleeep' Becomes Her Longest-Running No. 1 on Adult R&B Songs|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6714515/janet-jackson-no-sleeep-longest-running-number-1-hot-rb-songs|magazine=Billboard|date=September 29, 2015|access-date=September 30, 2015|archive-date=October 3, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151003014259/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6714515/janet-jackson-no-sleeep-longest-running-number-1-hot-rb-songs|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:JanetJacksonUnbreak 1792 (22850172070).jpg|thumb|left|Jackson performing during the 2015–16 [[Unbreakable World Tour (Janet Jackson tour)|Unbreakable Tour]]]]
[[BET]] presented Jackson with their inaugural Ultimate Icon: Music Dance Visual award at the [[BET Awards 2015]], which also featured a dance tribute to her performed by [[Ciara]], [[Jason Derulo]] and [[Tinashe]].<ref>{{citation|author=Gerrick D. Kennedy|title=BET to honor Janet Jackson with new 'Icon' award|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-ms-bet-to-honor-janet-jackson-with-icon-award-20150623-story.html|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=June 23, 2015|access-date=June 26, 2015|archive-date=June 25, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150625054107/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-ms-bet-to-honor-janet-jackson-with-icon-award-20150623-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> It was announced she would launch a luxury jewelry line called the "Janet Jackson Unbreakable Diamonds collection," a joint venture between herself and Paul Raps New York.<ref>{{cite web |author=Antoinette Bueno |url=http://www.etonline.com/news/167091_janet_jackson_announces_unbreakable_diamond_collection/ |title=EXCLUSIVE: Janet Jackson Announces a Surprising New Venture |publisher=[[Entertainment Tonight]] |date=June 30, 2015 |access-date=July 1, 2015 |archive-date=July 2, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150702011017/http://www.etonline.com/news/167091_janet_jackson_announces_unbreakable_diamond_collection/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On August 20, she released a preview of a new song "The Great Forever", while also confirming the title of her eleventh studio album as ''[[Unbreakable (Janet Jackson album)|Unbreakable]]''.<ref>{{cite web|author=Jeremy Gordon|title=Janet Jackson Titles New Album, Previews "The Great Forever"|website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/60867-janet-jackson-titles-new-album-previews-the-great-forever/|date=August 20, 2015|access-date=August 20, 2015|archive-date=August 22, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150822181329/http://pitchfork.com/news/60867-janet-jackson-titles-new-album-previews-the-great-forever/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|author=Joe Lynch|title=Janet Jackson Teases Upbeat New Song 'The Great Forever,' Confirms Album Title|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6670966/janet-jackson-great-forever-unbreakable-new-album|magazine=Billboard|date=August 20, 2015|access-date=August 20, 2015|archive-date=August 22, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150822180038/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6670966/janet-jackson-great-forever-unbreakable-new-album|url-status=live}}</ref>

Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis stated that Jackson's concept for the album was developed simultaneously with the accompanying tour's production and that its composition will differ from the majority of her catalog. They also stated that the album's theme reflects "being able to be vulnerable and to be able to withstand what comes to you," drawing on Jackson's experiences over the past several years.<ref>{{cite magazine|author=Kyle Anderson|title=6 things we now know about Janet Jackson's new album, thanks to Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis|url=https://www.ew.com/article/2015/08/28/janet-jackson-unbreakable-jimmy-jam-terry-lewis|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=August 28, 2015|access-date=August 28, 2015|archive-date=August 30, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150830235720/http://www.ew.com/article/2015/08/28/janet-jackson-unbreakable-jimmy-jam-terry-lewis|url-status=live}}</ref> The album's title track "[[Unbreakable (Janet Jackson song)|Unbreakable]]" was released on September 3, 2015, debuting on [[Apple Music]]'s Beats 1 radio station, hosted by [[Ebro Darden]]. The album was also made available for pre-order on [[iTunes]] the same day.<ref>{{cite magazine|author=Will Robinson|title=Janet Jackson shares powerful new single, 'Unbreakable'|url=https://www.ew.com/article/2015/09/03/janet-jackson-new-song|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=September 3, 2015|access-date=September 4, 2015|archive-date=September 4, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904114817/http://www.ew.com/article/2015/09/03/janet-jackson-new-song|url-status=live}}</ref> "[[Burnitup!]]" featuring Missy Elliott debuted on [[BBC Radio 1]] on September 24, 2015.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Jacobs|first=Matthew|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/janet-jackson-missy-elliott-burnitup_56053f7ce4b0af3706dbd1f7|title=Janet Jackson And Missy Elliott 'BURNITUP!' With Their New Song|work=[[The Huffington Post]]|date=September 25, 2015|access-date=September 26, 2015|archive-date=September 27, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150927043950/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/janet-jackson-missy-elliott-burnitup_56053f7ce4b0af3706dbd1f7|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Unbreakable'' was released on October 2, 2015. It received largely positive reviews, including those by ''The Wall Street Journal'',<ref>{{cite news|author=Jim Fusilli|title='Unbreakable' by Janet Jackson Review|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/unbreakable-by-janet-jackson-review-1443563988|work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|date=September 29, 2015|access-date=September 29, 2015|archive-date=September 30, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150930214922/http://www.wsj.com/articles/unbreakable-by-janet-jackson-review-1443563988|url-status=live}}</ref> ''The New York Times'',<ref>{{cite news|author=[[Jon Pareles]]|title=Review: Janet Jackson's 'Unbreakable' Focuses on Love Outside the Bedroom|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/01/arts/music/review-janet-jacksons-unbreakable-focuses-on-love-outside-the-bedroom.html|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=September 30, 2015|access-date=September 30, 2015|archive-date=October 4, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151004040431/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/01/arts/music/review-janet-jacksons-unbreakable-focuses-on-love-outside-the-bedroom.html?|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[USA Today]]'',<ref>{{cite news|author=Elysa Gardner|title=Album of the week: Janet Jackson turns reflective on 'Unbreakable'|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2015/10/01/album-of-the-week-janet-jackson-unbreakable/73025824/|work=[[USA Today]]|date=October 1, 2015|access-date=October 1, 2015|archive-date=October 4, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151004014700/http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2015/10/01/album-of-the-week-janet-jackson-unbreakable/73025824/|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Los Angeles Times'',<ref name="LAT">{{cite news|author=Mikael Wood|title=Review Janet Jackson's new 'Unbreakable' includes a tender tribute to Michael|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-ms-janet-jackson-unbreakable-album-review-20150930-story.html|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=October 1, 2015|access-date=October 1, 2015|archive-date=October 3, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151003021534/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-ms-janet-jackson-unbreakable-album-review-20150930-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and ''[[The Guardian]]''.<ref>{{cite news|author=Alex Macpherson|title=Janet Jackson: Unbreakable review – sunny serenity on reflective 11th album|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/oct/01/janet-jackson-unbreakable-review-sunny-serenity-on-reflective-11th-album|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=October 1, 2015|access-date=October 1, 2015|archive-date=October 3, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151003125052/http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/oct/01/janet-jackson-unbreakable-review-sunny-serenity-on-reflective-11th-album|url-status=live}}</ref> The following week, Jackson received her first nomination to be inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]].<ref name=RRHF>{{cite news|author=Lisa Respers France|title=Janet Jackson, N.W.A., Los Lobos among Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominees|url=http://www.cnn.com/2015/10/08/entertainment/rock-roll-hall-of-fame-nominees-feat/|publisher=CNN|date=October 8, 2015|access-date=October 8, 2015|archive-date=October 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151011012624/http://www.cnn.com/2015/10/08/entertainment/rock-roll-hall-of-fame-nominees-feat|url-status=live}}</ref> Her album debuted at number one on the ''Billboard'' 200, becoming her seventh album to top the chart in the United States.<ref name=seventh>{{cite magazine|author=Keith Caulfield|title=Janet Jackson Earns Historic Seventh No. 1 Album on Billboard 200 Chart|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6722962/janet-jackson-earns-historic-seventh-no-1-album-on-billboard-200-chart-unbreakable|magazine=Billboard|date=October 11, 2015|access-date=October 11, 2015|archive-date=February 20, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220194201/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6722962/janet-jackson-earns-historic-seventh-no-1-album-on-billboard-200-chart-unbreakable|url-status=live}}</ref>

On April 6, 2016, Jackson announced that she was "planning her family" with husband Wissam Al Mana, resulting in her postponing her tour.<ref>{{cite news|title=Janet Jackson Delays Tour; Planning Family, Ordered to Rest|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/janet-jackson-delays-tour-planning-family-ordered-rest-38187068|publisher=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]|date=April 6, 2016|access-date=April 6, 2016|archive-date=April 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160407131630/http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/janet-jackson-delays-tour-planning-family-ordered-rest-38187068|url-status=live}}</ref> On May 1, 2017, Jackson announced she would resume her Unbreakable World Tour, now known as the [[State of the World Tour]]. The revamped tour launched on September 7, 2017.<ref name=":0">{{cite news|last1=Vulpo|first1=Mike|title=Watch Janet Jackson Confirm Separation From Wissam Al Mana|url=http://www.eonline.com/news/847407/janet-jackson-confirms-separation-from-wissam-al-mana-while-announcing-new-tour-dates|access-date=May 1, 2017|work=[[E! Online]]|publisher=[[NBCUniversal]]|date=May 1, 2017|location=United States|archive-date=May 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170502060926/http://www.eonline.com/news/847407/janet-jackson-confirms-separation-from-wissam-al-mana-while-announcing-new-tour-dates|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{cite web|last1=Yoo|first1=Noah|last2=Sodomsky|first2=Sam|title=Janet Jackson Sets Date for Rescheduled Tour {{!}} Pitchfork|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/73209-janet-jackson-sets-date-for-rescheduled-tour/|website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]|publisher=[[Condé Nast]]|access-date=May 1, 2017|location=United States|language=en|date=May 1, 2017|archive-date=May 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170502041235/http://pitchfork.com/news/73209-janet-jackson-sets-date-for-rescheduled-tour/|url-status=live}}</ref> Refocusing the tour's theme to reflect socially conscious messages from Jackson's entire music catalog, many songs selected for the concert set list along with corresponding imagery depicted on stage address [[racism]], [[white supremacy]], [[fascism]], [[xenophobia]] and [[police brutality]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Danielle Kwateng-Clark|title=Janet Jackson 'Snatched Wigs' At First State Of The World Tour|url=http://www.essence.com/entertainment/janet-jackson-snatched-wigs-first-state-world-tour|newspaper=[[Essence (magazine)|Essence]]|date=September 8, 2017|access-date=September 11, 2017|archive-date=September 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170911204707/http://www.essence.com/entertainment/janet-jackson-snatched-wigs-first-state-world-tour|url-status=live}}</ref> The tour opened to positive critical reception, with several commentators praising Jackson's post-pregnancy physical fitness, showmanship and socially conscious messages.<ref>{{cite web|author=Desire Thompson|title=Janet Jackson Returns With Political Message On "State Of The World" Tour|url=https://www.vibe.com/2017/09/janet-jackson-returns-with-political-message-state-of-the-world-tour/|newspaper=[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]]|date=September 8, 2017|access-date=September 11, 2017|archive-date=September 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170911205153/https://www.vibe.com/2017/09/janet-jackson-returns-with-political-message-state-of-the-world-tour/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Her emotional rendition of "What About", a song about domestic violence originally recorded for ''The Velvet Rope'', drew media attention highlighting her recent separation from her husband; Jackson's brother Randy alleges she suffered verbal abuse by Al Mana which contributed to the breakdown of their marriage.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Wilson|first1=Jeff|title=Randy Jackson, Michael's Brother, Gets Jail for Wife Beating|url=https://apnews.com/717b6ab83eabf219dd3dcf9623466f42|website=apnewsarchive.com|access-date=November 27, 2017|archive-date=June 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615190733/https://apnews.com/717b6ab83eabf219dd3dcf9623466f42|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Gil Kaufman|title=Janet Jackson Gets Emotional While Performing Song About Abuse For the First Time in 18 Years|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/7957928/janet-jackson-emotional-singing-what-about-houston|newspaper=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=September 11, 2017|access-date=September 11, 2017|archive-date=September 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170911163843/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/7957928/janet-jackson-emotional-singing-what-about-houston|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Janine Rubenstien|title=Janet Jackson Was 'Verbally Abused' by Ex, Randy Claims|url=http://people.com/music/janet-jackson-verbally-abused-during-by-wissam-al-mana-randy-claims/amp/|newspaper=[[People (magazine)|People]]|date=September 12, 2017|access-date=September 12, 2017|archive-date=September 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170913044558/http://people.com/music/janet-jackson-verbally-abused-during-by-wissam-al-mana-randy-claims/amp/|url-status=live}}</ref> Proceeds from the concert of September 9, 2017, at the [[Toyota Center]] in [[Houston, Texas]] were donated to relief efforts supporting evacuees of [[Hurricane Harvey]]. Jackson met with Houston mayor [[Sylvester Turner]] and evacuees at the [[George R. Brown Convention Center]] prior to the performance.<ref name="ABC Houston">{{cite web|author=Joi-Marie McKenzie|title=Janet Jackson breaks down in tears at Houston tour stop|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/janet-jackson-breaks-tears-houston-tour-stop-performing/story?id=49740536|publisher=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]|date=September 10, 2017|access-date=September 11, 2017|archive-date=September 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220924163927/https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/janet-jackson-breaks-tears-houston-tour-stop-performing/story?id=49740536|url-status=live}}</ref> In May 2018, it was announced that Jackson would receive the [[Billboard Icon Award]] at the [[2018 Billboard Music Awards|2018 ''Billboard'' Music Awards]].<ref>{{cite magazine|author=Abby Jones|title=Janet Jackson to Receive Icon Award at 2018 Billboard Music Awards|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8454737/janet-jackson-receiving-icon-award-bbmas-2018|magazine=Billboard|date=May 7, 2018|access-date=May 17, 2018|archive-date=September 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922190204/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8454737/janet-jackson-receiving-icon-award-bbmas-2018|url-status=live}}</ref> In an interview for ''Billboard'' magazine, Jackson revealed that she was then working on new music.<ref>{{cite magazine|author=David Ritz|title=Janet Jackson Goes Deep on Her Early Challenges, Upcoming Music & the Joy of Motherhood|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/magazine-feature/8456316/janet-jackson-interview-billboard-cover-story-bbmas-icon-award-2018|magazine=Billboard|date=May 17, 2018|access-date=May 17, 2018|archive-date=May 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180517183842/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/magazine-feature/8456316/janet-jackson-interview-billboard-cover-story-bbmas-icon-award-2018|url-status=live}}</ref> On August 16, 2018, it was announced that Jackson and Rhythm Nation had entered into a partnership with [[Cinq Music Group]].<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Cobo |first=Leila |title=Janet Jackson & Her Rhythm Nation Records Partner With Cinq Music For New Indie Release: Exclusive |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/8470483/janet-jackson-cinq-music-recording-label-deal-daddy-yankee |access-date=August 16, 2018 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]  |date=August 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180816144202/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/8470483/janet-jackson-cinq-music-recording-label-deal-daddy-yankee |archive-date=August 16, 2018 |location=United States |url-status=live}}</ref> The next day, Jackson released the single "[[Made for Now]]", a collaboration with [[Daddy Yankee]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/latin/8467554/janet-jackson-daddy-yankee-song-made-for-now-video|title=Janet Jackson and Daddy Yankee Will Release a Single and Video Together|magazine=Billboard|last=Cobo|first=Leila|date=July 29, 2018|access-date=July 31, 2018|archive-date=August 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815231534/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/latin/8467554/janet-jackson-daddy-yankee-song-made-for-now-video|url-status=live}}</ref>

In October 2018, she received her third nomination for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.<ref>{{cite magazine|author=Andrew Unterberger|title=The 2019 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Nominees: Who Will Actually Get In?|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/8478882/rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-2019-nominations-odds|access-date=October 9, 2018|magazine=Billboard|date=October 9, 2018|archive-date=October 9, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181009221439/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/8478882/rock-and-roll-hall-of-fame-2019-nominations-odds|url-status=live}}</ref> On December 13, 2018, Jackson was announced as one of the seven inductees of the 2019 class of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.<ref>{{Cite news|author=Ben Sisario|title=Janet Jackson and Radiohead Lead Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2019|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/13/arts/music/rock-roll-hall-fame-inductees-janet-jackson.html|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=December 13, 2018|access-date=December 13, 2018|archive-date=December 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181213173235/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/13/arts/music/rock-roll-hall-fame-inductees-janet-jackson.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

On February 26, 2019, Jackson announced a four-month Las Vegas residency entitled ''[[Janet Jackson: Metamorphosis|Metamorphosis]]''. The initial schedule comprised fourteen shows at the Park Theater at [[Park MGM]] resort; three additional shows were announced in May.<ref>{{cite web|title=Janet Jackson Launching Las Vegas Residency in May|url=https://variety.com/2019/music/news/janet-jackson-launching-las-vegas-residency-1203149714|work=Variety|date=February 26, 2019|access-date=February 26, 2019|archive-date=February 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190227003227/https://variety.com/2019/music/news/janet-jackson-launching-las-vegas-residency-1203149714/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8511094/janet-jackson-adds-dates-las-vegas-residency|title=Janet Jackson Adds Three Dates to 'Metamorphosis' Las Vegas Residency|magazine=Billboard|access-date=May 14, 2019|archive-date=May 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190513195953/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8511094/janet-jackson-adds-dates-las-vegas-residency|url-status=live}}</ref> In September and November 2019 Jackson performed a series of concerts in support of the 30th anniversary of the ''Rhythm Nation'' album in Welch [[Treasure Island Resort & Casino]], San Francisco and Hawaii.<ref>{{cite web|title=Janet Jackson Upcoming Shows|url=https://www.livenation.com/artists/81357/janet-jackson|work=Live Nation|access-date=August 21, 2019|archive-date=May 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190527204724/https://www.livenation.com/artists/81357/janet-jackson|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2019, Jackson played a variety of festivals in the US and abroad, including [[The Glastonbury Festival]].<ref>{{cite magazine|author=Emily Zemler|title=The Cure, The Killers, Janet Jackson Added to Glastonbury Lineup|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/the-cure-the-killers-janet-jackson-glastonbury-808567|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=March 15, 2019|access-date=March 16, 2019|archive-date=March 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330125821/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/the-cure-the-killers-janet-jackson-glastonbury-808567/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Janet Jackson Sunday 30 June|url=https://www.montreuxjazzfestival.com/en/artist/janet-jackson|work=Montreux Jazz Festival Switzerland|access-date=June 6, 2019|archive-date=April 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423060408/https://www.montreuxjazzfestival.com/en/artist/janet-jackson|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=RNB Fridays Reveals Massive Line-up For 2019 festival|url=https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/music/music-festivals/rnb-fridays-reveals-massive-lineup-for-2019-festival/news-story/096ea2a8068a62fd2adb830e8b43abdc|work=News.com.au|date=August 8, 2019|access-date=August 9, 2019|archive-date=August 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190809012309/https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/music/music-festivals/rnb-fridays-reveals-massive-lineup-for-2019-festival/news-story/096ea2a8068a62fd2adb830e8b43abdc|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Janet Jackson, 50 Cent, Black Eyed Peas Announced As Headline Acts for Friday Jams Live 2019|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/music/114845228/janet-jackson-50-cent-black-eyed-peas-announced-as-headline-acts-for-friday-jams-live-2019|work=Stuff|date=August 8, 2019|access-date=August 9, 2019|archive-date=February 12, 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212051120/https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/music/114845228/janet-jackson-50-cent-black-eyed-peas-announced-as-headline-acts-for-friday-jams-live-2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== 2020–present: Documentaries and Together Again Tour ===

Jackson was set to embark on the Black Diamond World Tour in 2020.<ref name="black diamond">{{cite magazine|title=Janet Jackson Announces New Black Diamond Album and World Tour|url=https://ew.com/music/2020/02/10/janet-jackson-black-diamond-album-tour/|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=February 10, 2020|archive-date=February 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200210183603/https://ew.com/music/2020/02/10/janet-jackson-black-diamond-album-tour/|url-status=live}}</ref> Later that year, the tour was postponed indefinitely due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.post-gazette.com/ae/music/2020/05/21/Janet-Jackson-show-at-PPG-Paints-Arena-is-postponed-tickets/stories/202005210141|title=Janet Jackson show at PPG Paints Arena is postponed|first=Scott|last=Mervis|date=May 21, 2020|website=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|access-date=January 22, 2022|archive-date=January 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220122120404/https://www.post-gazette.com/ae/music/2020/05/21/Janet-Jackson-show-at-PPG-Paints-Arena-is-postponed-tickets/stories/202005210141|url-status=live}}</ref> She also announced her upcoming twelfth studio album ''Black Diamond'', which was scheduled for a 2020 release.<ref name="black diamond" />

A two-part documentary titled ''[[Janet Jackson (TV series)|Janet Jackson]]'' for [[Lifetime (TV network)|Lifetime]] and [[A&E (TV network)|A&E]] premiered on January 28 and 29, 2022, respectively.<ref>{{cite web |title=Janet Jackson Two-part Documentary Set to Air on A&E and Lifetime |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/04/entertainment/janet-jackson-documentary-premiere-trnd/index.html |work=CNN |date=March 4, 2021 |access-date=March 25, 2021 |archive-date=March 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210325181613/https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/04/entertainment/janet-jackson-documentary-premiere-trnd/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Iasimone|first=Ashley|title=Janet Jackson Documentary Sets Release Date, Drops New Trailer: Watch|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/janet-jackson-doc-release-date-trailer-1235015140/|date=January 2, 2022|access-date=January 2, 2022|magazine=Billboard|archive-date=January 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220103003039/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/janet-jackson-doc-release-date-trailer-1235015140/|url-status=live}}</ref> Jackson previewed a clip of a new song, "Luv I Luv", during the end credits of the last episode of her documentary.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Iasimone|first=Ashley|title=Janet Jackson Debuts New Song 'Luv I Luv' on 'Janet' Documentary|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/janet-jackson-luv-i-luv-1235025007/|date=January 29, 2022|access-date=January 30, 2022|magazine=Billboard|archive-date=January 30, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220130031831/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/janet-jackson-luv-i-luv-1235025007/|url-status=live}}</ref> On March 3, 2022, Jackson was announced as a headliner of the 2022 [[Essence Music Festival]] in New Orleans.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Mitchell|first=Gail|title=Essence Festival of Culture Makes In-Person Return With Janet Jackson, Nick Minaj, Summer Walker & More|url=https://www.billboard.com/culture/events/essence-fest-2022-lineup-1235039425/|date=March 3, 2022|access-date=March 3, 2022|magazine=Billboard|archive-date=March 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220304025127/https://www.billboard.com/culture/events/essence-fest-2022-lineup-1235039425/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On December 12, 2022, Jackson announced she was going on tour again starting April 14, 2023, with her [[Janet Jackson: Together Again|Together Again Tour]] and teased new music.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Janet Jackson Announces 'Together Again' 2023 Tour Dates|url=https://variety.com/2022/music/news/janet-jackson-together-again-2023-tour-dates-1235457748/|work=Variety|date=December 12, 2022|access-date=December 12, 2022|archive-date=September 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230905075149/https://variety.com/2022/music/news/janet-jackson-together-again-2023-tour-dates-1235457748/|url-status=live}}</ref> On March 8, 2023, Lifetime and A&E announced that it had greenlighted a follow-up documentary series, ''Janet Jackson: Family First''. The series will follow Jackson as she prepares for her Together Again Tour as well as her and brother Randy's attempts to reunite the family band.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Bell|first=BreAnna|title=Lifetime, A+E Networks Greenlights 'Janet Jackson: Family First,' Announces Simulcast Premiere Date for 'TLC Forever' Documentary|url=https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/lifetime-ae-networks-janet-jackson-family-first-tlc-forever-documentary-1235546514/|website=Variety|date=March 8, 2023|access-date=March 9, 2023|archive-date=March 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308173152/https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/lifetime-ae-networks-janet-jackson-family-first-tlc-forever-documentary-1235546514/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On August 21, 2024, Jackson announced a new Las Vegas concert residency, [[Janet Jackson: Las Vegas]], which began on December 30, 2024.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Mamo|first=Heran|title=Janet Jackson Announces Las Vegas Residency: 'This Is Going to Be a Lot of Fun'|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/janet-jackson-las-vegas-residency-show-dates-1235757816/|magazine=Billboard|date=August 22, 2024|access-date=August 21, 2024}}</ref> On January 14, 2025, six additional shows for May of the same year were announced.<ref name="Billboard 2">{{cite magazine |last1=Mitchell |first1=Gail |title=Janet Jackson Extends Resorts World Las Vegas Residency |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/janet-jackson-extends-las-vegas-residency-dates-1235875516/ |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |publisher=[[Eldridge Industries]] |access-date=January 14, 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250114222523/https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/janet-jackson-extends-las-vegas-residency-dates-1235875516/ |archive-date=January 14, 2025 |location=United States |issn=0006-2510 |oclc=732913734 |date=January 14, 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Rolling Stone 1">{{cite magazine |last1=Conteh |first1=Mankaprr |title=Janet Jackson Adds New Spring Dates to Her Las Vegas Residency |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/janet-jackson-new-dates-las-vegas-residency-1235235855/ |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]] |access-date=January 14, 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250115003105/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/janet-jackson-new-dates-las-vegas-residency-1235235855/ |archive-date=January 15, 2025 |location=United States |issn=0035-791X |oclc=969027590 |date=January 14, 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref>