Janet Jackson shares emotional thank-you after seminal album Control tops chart 35 years after its release
Janet Jackson attends her residency debut “Metamorphosis” after party at On The Record Speakeasy and Club at Park MGM on May 17, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images for Park MGM)
Janet Jackson has thanked fans for sending her seminal album Control soaring up the charts.
Control hit number one on Apple’s Top 40 US Pop Album chart, 35 years after its 1986 release.
Jackson, 54, expressed her gratitude in a video titled: “Thank u.”
“I was at home just the other day by myself and I began to cry,” she began, breaking down in tears.
Thank u 🖤🙏🏽🤗 pic.twitter.com/qSEcON2YoN
— Janet Jackson (@JanetJackson) February 13, 2021
“I was crying because I was so thankful for all that God has blessed me with.
“All that he has given me and I’m so thankful for him being in my life, and I’m so thankful for all of you being in my life.
“I want to thank all of you for making Control number one once again after 35 years… never in a million years would I think this would happen.”
Control peaked at number one on the Billboard 200 after its release in 1986 – the first of her albums to do so.
It spawned singles including “Nasty”, “What Have You Done For Me Lately” and “The Pleasure Principle”, and has been credited with influencing a generation of artists.
Justin Timberlake on Janet Jackson: ‘I know I failed.’
Janet Jackson has made headlines in recent days after she received a long-awaited apology from Timberlake.
Jackson suffered a heavily misogynistic backlash after Justin Timberlake tore away more of her costume than had been planned during the 2004 Super Bowl halftime performance.
“Bet I’ll have you naked by the end of this song,” Timberlake flirtatiously belted during a duet, before snatching at her dress. It was meant to expose her bra, Jackson’s representatives explained at the time.
Instead, for a full 9/16th of a second, Jackson’s uncovered breast was visible – though, jewellery hid her nipple – to a live and worldwide audience.
Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake perform at half-time at Super Bowl XXXVIII at Reliant Stadium. (JEFF HAYNES/AFP via Getty Images)
In the aftermath, Jackson’s music was effectively blacklisted by radio stations and broadcasters, including MTV, all but destroying the commercial prospects of her then-upcoming album Damita Jo. She also had her invitation to perform at the Grammys revoked.
Timberlake, meanwhile, saw his career take off and was even asked to return to the Super Bowl again for the game’s 2018 halftime show.
In the wake of the #MeToo movement many have spoken out against the treatment Jackson received, rechristening Super Bowl Sunday “Janet Jackson Appreciation Day” on social media each year.
Timberlake finally apologised on 12 February, writing: “I specifically want to apologise to Britney Spears and Janet Jackson both individually, because I care for and respect these women and I know I failed.
“Because of my ignorance, I didn’t recognise it for all that it was while it was happening in my own life but I do not want to ever benefit from others being pulled down again.”
His words came in the wake of Framing Britney Spears, a documentary which, among other things, re-examined the former NSYNC star’s relationship with Britney Spears.
Interviewees argued that Britney paid the price after their pair called it quits – her stumbling falling as Timberlake’s rose.
