The Career Of Janet Jackson

30 August 2010

Janet Jackson returns to the role of Patricia in Tyler Perry's latest film Why Did I Get Married Too?

The star who recently lost her older brother Michael last year, has said that the support and time spent with her co-stars on set helped her though the tough time. 'It was a difficult period for me especially,' she reflects, 'and I couldn’t have asked for a better way to spend that time."

As Patricia, one of the central figures in the group, Janet Jackson tackles a complex character who, despite a career as a highly regarded psychologist and self-help author, is unable to face the problems in her own relationship with Gavin, played by Malik Yoba.

'They’re very loving toward one another, but there’s an issue they have surrounding the death of their child,' says Jackson. 'She still blames herself for it all. And it goes to a whole other level in this sequel.'

Jackson startled the cast and crew with her commitment to Patricia’s emotional journey. During a climactic scene, Patricia, in a rage over the dissolution of her marriage, destroys a living room with a golf club.

Comments Perry: 'Janet put all of her pain and anger and energy into this performance in a way we’ve never seen from her before.'

'We were able to really rally around her and protect her and support her,' says Perry. 'It was great knowing I had an opportunity to be with her at a very difficult time and that I could put her around people who love her.'

'The experience that I had on the last film was so incredible and so much fun, I couldn’t wait to go back,' Jackson admits. 'I had never experienced being on a set the way I had on a Tyler Perry set.'

Why Did I Get Married Too? is released in UK cinemas on September 3rd.

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To Celebrate the release of Janet Jackson latest film Why Did I Get Married Too? We take a look at her career highlights over the past 4 decades!

1966 - Janet Damita Jo Jackon is born

1976 - Janet start with her family on The Jacksons variety show

1977 - Janet gets her first acting role on Good Times

1982 - Album release: Janet Jackson

1984 - Album release: Dream Street

1985- Janet fires her father as her manager and hires John McClain
-Single release: Start Anew

1990
January 9 // Single release: "Escapade"
"Escapade" was the third single released from the Rhythm Nation 1814 album. It peaked at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, #1 on the R&B chart, and #1 on the dance chart.

March 1 // Rhythm Nation Tour begins in Miami
Janet launched her first ever concert tour in support of her 1989 Rhythm Nation 1814 album in Miami, Florida. The Rhythm Nation Tour continues the dark, metallic, black and white look presented in the album and some of its videos. Including the United States, the tour also visits Europe and Japan, ending on November 16, 1990 in Yokohama, Japan. The Rhythm Nation Tour becomes the highest grossing debut tour in music history.

March 27 // Single release: "Alright"
"Alright" was the fourth single released from the Rhythm Nation 1814 album. It peaked at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100, #2 on R&B, and #1 on the dance chart.

June 19 // Single release: "Come Back To Me"
"Come Back To Me" was the fifth single released from the Rhythm Nation 1814 album. The video features Janet's longtime friend and then-boyfriend Rene Elizondo, Jr. It peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #2 on the R&B chart.

September 4 // Single release: "Black Cat"
"Black Cat" was the sixth single released from the Rhythm Nation 1814 album. It peaked at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, #10 on R&B, and #17 on the dance chart.

November 6 // Single release: "Love Will Never Do (Without You)"
"Love Will Never Do (Without You)" was the seventh single released from the Rhythm Nation 1814 album. After being buttoned up for years, its music video introduces the world for the first time a brand new sexual side of Janet. It peaked at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, #3 on R&B, and #4 on the dance chart.

1991
February 6 // Single release: "State of the World"
"State of the World" was the eighth and final single released from the Rhythm Nation 1814 album. Released only in the U.S. as a promotional single with no video, it peaked at #9 on the dance chart.

March // Janet signs record-breaking contract with Virgin Records
After the terms of her first record contract with A&M Records ends, Janet leaves the record label and signs a new contract with Virgin Records. The contract, estimated to be worth $40 million, breaks records and makes her the highest paid music artist in history. Richard Branson, who at the time was the owner of Virgin, personally approached Janet and negotiated the contract with her.

March 31 // Janet and Rene Elizondo, Jr. secretly get married
Rene Elizondo, Jr., Janet's long-time friend, artistic collaborator and partner whom she met in 1984, exchanged marriage vows with Janet in a secret wedding at their Malibu home. While the public knew about their romantic relationship with each other, only a very small of family members and friends are informed that they had officially tied the knot. Trying to keep the terms of their relationship private, they hide the fact that they had married for the next nine years. It isn't until they announced their divorce in 2000 that the public even knew the two had married almost one decade prior.

1992
May 12 // Single release: "The Best Things in Life Are Free"
Janet records a duet with Luther Vandross on the song "The Best Things in Life Are Free," which becomes the lead single released from the soundtrack for the film Mo' Money. It is also the first song Janet records that is released by her new record label, Virgin Records. It peaked at #10 on the Billboard Hot 100, #1 R&B, and #3 on the dance chart.

September // Janet begins filming Poetic Justice
Janet begins filming her first ever motion picture film Poetic Justice in Los Angeles, California. Written and directed by John Singleton, the movie is about a woman mourning the loss of her boyfriend and learning how to love again. It further helps bring Janet out of her shell and develop a new, sexier image. It is the source of inspiration for her next studio album, which she begins writing and recording during the production of the film.

1993
April 20 // Single release: "That's the Way Love Goes"
"That's the Way Love Goes" was the lead single taken from Janet's forthcoming album, janet. Instead of releasing an energetic dance number as the first single as Virgin Records requested, Janet opted to release this mellow and laid back track. The single becomes Janet's most successful to date. It peaks at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 where remained for eight consecutive weeks. It also was the first song in history to debut at #1 on the R&B chart and also peaked at #1 on the dance chart.

May 18 // Album release: janet.
The 1993 release of Janet's fifth studio album janet. shocked Janet's fans as they saw the once buttoned-up tomboy morph into a grown, sexy woman. The album, again produced by Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, becomes the fastest selling album by a female artist of all time, selling over 345,000 copies in its first week. It becomes the first album of the Nielsen SoundScan era to debut at #1 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart, and also reaches #1 in twenty-two different countries.

July 13 // Single release: "If"
"If" was the second single released from the janet. album. The track is perhaps best known for the video's choreography, which Janet performs with dancer Omar Lopez. It peaks at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100, #3 on R&B, and #1 on the dance chart.

July 23 // Film release: Poetic Justice
Janet's first ever movie Poetic Justice showed success when it debuted at the box office at #1 with an opening week of $11.7 million. The movie, co-starring Tupac Shakur and featuring the poetry of Maya Angelou, shocks audiences as they hear Janet using profane language they had never heard the once shy Jackson use before. It goes on to gross $27.5 million in the U.S. Janet's song from the film, "Again," earns her Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations.

October 12 // Single release: "Again"
The ballad "Again" was the third single released from the janet. album. Although not on its soundtrack, the song is also used in the film Poetic Justice. It peaked at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #7 on the R&B chart. The song was nominated for a Golden Globe and an Academy Award in the category of Best Original Song from a Motion Picture.

November 24 // janet. Tour begins in Cincinnati
Janet launched her second world tour, the janet. Tour, in Cincinnati, Ohio. The all-white stage is modeled after famous architect Antoni Gaudi. After constant sellouts and success around the globe, the janet. Tour, originally intended to last only around six months to a year, stretches out over the next two years, performing 120 concerts and ending on April 22, 1995 in London.

1994
January 18 // Single release: "Because of Love"
"Because of Love" was the fourth single released from the janet. album. It peaked at #10 on the Billboard Hot 100, #9 on R&B, and #4 on the dance chart.

May 23 // Single release: "Any Time, Any Place"
"Any Time, Any Place" was the fifth single released from the janet. album. Her most sexual single to date, it brings a final end to Janet's tomboy image. The single peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and peaked at #1 on the R&B chart, where it stayed for ten weeks in a row, making it the longest number of weeks at #1 on the R&B charts of any song in history.

May 23 // Single release: "Throb"
"Throb" was a single released from the janet. album only in the U.K. and the Netherlands. In the United States, it was used as a b-side to the "Any Time, Any Place" single along with the previously unreleased song "And On And On." The single receives little promotion and no music video. It peaks at #2 on the dance chart.

October 11 // Single release: You Want This
"You Want This" was a single released from the "janet." album. Rapper MC Lyte makes a special guest appearance for the version of this song used on the commercial single and in the video. It peaks at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100, #9 on R&B, and #5 on the dance chart. In the United States, the song was the final single released from the janet. album.

1995
February 15 // Single release: "Whoops Now"
"Whoops Now," a hidden song on Janet's 1993 janet. album, was released as a single in all of the countries internationally where Janet was performing on the janet. Tour at the time. It was not released as a single in the Untied States. It is released alongside another track from the same album, "What'll I Do." The songs were the last singles to be released from the janet. album.

February 15 // Single release: "What'll I Do"
"What'll I Do," from the 1993 janet. album, was released as a single in all of the countries internationally where Janet was performing on the janet. Tour at the time. It was not released as a single in the United States. It is released alongside another track from teh same album, "Whoops Now." The songs were the last singles to be released from the janet. album.

March 13 // Remix album release: janet. Remixed
Almost two years after the janet. album was released in May 1993, Virgin Records released janet. Remixed, an album composed of remixes of songs from janet. and also several b-sides. The album was released internationally and was not given a commercial release in the United States. It was Janet's second remix album - Control The Remixes being her first.

May 23 // Single release: "Scream"
"Scream" is Janet's duet recorded with her brother Michael Jackson and was the lead single from his album HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book 1. The single reached #5 on the Billboard Hot 100, #2 on R&B, and #1 on the dance chart. It is the first ever single to debut in the top five on the Hot 100. Janet's record label Virgin Records had intended on releasing the song "Where are You Now" from her 1993 janet. album as a single around this same time period, however the release of the song "Scream" canceled those plans.

October 3 // Single release: "Runaway"
"Runaway" was the lead single released from Janet's upcoming greatest hits album Design of a Decade 1986/1996. Janet describes the song as a tribute to fans from across the world that she met while on her janet. Tour, which began in 1993 and ended earlier that year. The single reached #3 on the Billboard Hot 100, #6 on R&B, and #6 on the dance chart. It was the first single ever by a female artist to debut in the top ten on the Hot 100. It is one of only two new songs that appear on the greatest hits album.

October 10 // Greatest hits album release: Design of a Decade 1986/1996
Design of a Decade 1986/1996 is Janet's first ever greatest hits album. Released by her former label A&M Records, the collection is comprised of songs mainly from her 1986 album Control and 1989 album Rhythm Nation. It also includes two brand new songs, "Runaway" and "Twenty Foreplay." Because of legal issues, only one song from the 1993 Virgin Records album janet. is included. It was released with three separate covers; one in the U.S., one in Japan, and one for the remaining international markets. In the U.S., the album reaches #3 on the Billboard 200 albums chart, and #4 on the R&B chart.

1996
January // Janet renews contract with Virgin Records, breaks records
When CEO and owner of Virgin Records Richard Branson sold his company in 1995, a clause in Janet's contract that was signed in 1992 released her from deal. Capitalizing on the loophole, Janet shopped around for a new contract and opted to sign again with Virgin. This second Virgin Records contract is estimated at $80 million and becomes a record for a female recording artist.

February 9 // Single release: "Twenty Foreplay"
"Twenty Foreplay" is the second single released from Janet's Design of a Decade 1986/1996 greatest hits album. The song's music video is an homage to one of her favorite actresses, Dorothy Dandridge. "Twenty Foreplay" breaks all of the rules in the pop song handbook: it contains neither a chorus nor a bridge. Although released to radio in the U.S., it was not commercially released in that country, a trend that would continue for her next few releases.

1997
September 22 // Single release: "Got 'til it's Gone"
"Got 'til it's Gone" was the lead single from Janet's forthcoming album The Velvet Rope. Janet creatively used a sample of Joni Mitchell's voice from the song "Big Yellow Taxi" on the track. The video for the song went on to win a Grammy for Best Sort Form Video. Although released to radio in the U.S., the single saw no commercial release in the country and was therefore ineligible to chart on the Hot 100 under Billboard's rules.

October 7 // Album release: The Velvet Rope
Years of depression and loneliness marked the theme for Janet's sixth studio album The Velvet Rope. Sporting curly red hair, new piercings, and showing more cleavage then ever, Janet continues to publicly explore her sexual side on her most personal album to date. It is her fourth studio album produced by Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis. The Velvet Rope debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart and #2 on the R&B albums chart.

December 2 // Single release: "Together Again"
"Together Again" was the second single from Janet's The Velvet Rope album. The song is a tribute to the friends that Janet has lost from AIDS. Released one day after World AIDS Day, a portion of the proceeds from the single are donated to the charity amfAR. The single reaches #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, #6 on R&B, and #1 on the dance chart.

1998
April 16 // Velvet Rope Tour begins in Rotterdam
Janet launched her third world tour in support of 1997's The Velvet Rope in Rotterdam, Holland. The Velvet Rope Tour travels worldwide for ten months, climaxing in New York with her first ever HBO concert special. After performing 120 concerts, the tour ends on January 30, 1999 in Honolulu, Hawaii.

May 8 // Single release: "I Get Lonely"
"I Get Lonely" was the third single released from The Velvet Rope. The track peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100, #1 on R&B, and #1 on the dance chart.

June 15 // Single release: "Go Deep"
"Go Deep" was the fourth single released from The Velvet Rope. Despite having no commercial single in the U.S. and thus not eligible to chart on the Hot 100 under Billboard's rules, it gains much airplay. The track peaks at #1 on the dance chart.

August 14 // Single release: "Luv Me, Luv Me"
Janet joined reggae star Shaggy by singing the chorus on the Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis produced song "Luv Me, Luv Me." The song was released on the soundtrack to the film How Stella Got Her Groove Back. The track peaks at #76 on the Hot 100 and #22 on the R&B chart.
September 3 // Single release: "You"
As her Velvet Rope Tour continued through the United States, Janet released "You" as the fifth single from The Velvet Rope. The track had no U.S. commercial release.

October 12 // The Velvet Rope Tour airs on HBO
HBO broadcasts Janet's Velvet Rope Tour live from New York City's Madison Square Garden. It is Janet's first concert to be aired on televised in the United States. It was later released onto VHS and DVD, making it Janet's first tour to be commercially released to home video.

November 16 // Single release: "Every Time"
"Every Time" was the sixth and final single to be released from The Velvet Rope. It receives no commercial release in the U.S., thus making it ineligible to chart on the Hot 100 under Billboard's rules. The accompanying video features Janet naked in a pool of water.

1999
February 15 // Janet and Rene announce their separation
Janet and longtime partner Rene announce to the world that they have separated. The two had known each other since the early 80's. It wasn't revealed that the two had been secretly married since 1991 until a year later in March 2000 when they announce their divorce.

March 8 // "Ask For More" Pepsi promotion begins
Helping launch a new promotional campaign for Pepsi, Janet records a song titled "Ask For More" and films an accompanying television commercial. The commercial was filmed while on the Velvet Rope Tour in Australia. The song and commercial were released internationally, except for in the United States. Consumers are able to receive a free CD of the song with the purchase of Pepsi products. Janet filmed two separate commercials under the promotional campaign; one alongside Latin superstar Ricky Martin and the other with Hong Kong music artist and actor Aaron Kwok.

March 9 // Single release: "What's It Gonna Be?!"
Janet sings the chorus on the Busta Rhymes song "What's It Gonna Be?!," the lead single from his album E.L.E. It peaks at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on R&B. It also becomes Janet's first ever appearance on the rap chart where it reaches #1.

March 16 // Single release: "Girlfriend/Boyfriend"
After recording "What's It Gonna Be?!" with Busta Rhymes, Janet quickly records another duet with BLACKstreet titled "Girlfriend/Boyfriend," the lead single from the group's album Finally. The track also features upcoming rappers Eve and Ja Rule. It peaks at #47 on the Hot 100 and #17 on the R&B chart.

March 23 // Song release: "I Know the Truth"
At the request of Elton John, Janet records a duet with him titled "I Know The Truth." The song is released on the soundtrack for his Broadway musical Aida. The song was produced by Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis.

September 17 // Janet signs on to film Nutty Professor sequel

2000
March 13 // Janet and Rene announce their divorce, reveal secret marriage
Rene Elizondo, Jr. makes a shocking announcement to the media when he announces that not only is he filing for divorce from Janet, but also the fact that the pair had been secretly married for the past nine years. Janet quickly explains through her own press statement that she kept her marriage a secret in an effort to have a normal family life without media scrutiny.

She goes on to say that as the marriage developed over the years, her and Rene actually became more business and creative partners than lovers. Only a small number of close family and friends had known throughout their marriage that the two were married. Just like the general public, some members of their family also learned of their marriage when they announced their divorce.

July 28 // Film release: Nutty Professor II: The Klumps
Janet co-stars alongside Eddie Murphy in the hit comedy Nutty Professor II: The Klumps. In the movie, Janet's character, Denise Gaines, has plans to marry Professor Sherman Gaines, played by Eddie Murphy. Their plans are threatened when Sherman's alter-ego Buddy makes sudden unexpected appearances. The movie opens at #1 with a box office gross of $42 million in its first weekend. It grosses a total of $123.3 million in the U.S.

August 8 // Single release: "Doesn't Really Matter"
After execs at Universal Pictures had become too intimidated to ask Janet to record a song in support of the film Nutty Professor II: The Klumps, which she co-stars in, Janet surprised Universal by approaching them herself and offering to record a track for the film. The result was the pop hit "Doesn't Really Matter." The single peaks at #1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the R&B chart.

2001
March 13 // Janet is declared the first ever mtvICON
MTV honors Janet with their first ever mtvICON ceremony to honor her achievements in music video. The ceremony features performances of Janet's songs by Macy Gray, *N Sync, Destiny's Child, Pink, Usher, and more.

March 27 // Single release: "All for You"
"All for You" was the lead single released from Janet's upcoming studio album of the same name. The song breaks records when it becomes the highest debuting airplay-only single ever, entering the Billboard Hot 100 at #14. It became the first ever song to be added to every single mainstream radio station in the country in a single week. It peaks at #1 each of the Billboard Hot 100, R&B, and dance charts.

April 24 // Album release: All for You
Janet records her seventh studio album All for You teaming up again with longtime partners and producing team Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis and for the first time with Rockwilder, who produced several tracks. The collection features love songs, sensual "baby making songs" and tracks that allude to her recent divorce. The album was later re-released with two additional remixes and a limited edition bonus DVD. It peaks at #1 on the Billboard Top 200 albums chart and #1 on the R&B albums chart.

July 7 // All for You Tour begins in Portland
Janet quickly takes her All for You album out on the road with her fourth concert tour, the All For You Tour, which begins in Portland, Oregon. The tour is plagued by difficulties and setbacks as illness and other problems force many concerts to be postponed and cancelled. She cancels the entire international leg of the tour, citing security issues after the September 11 terrorist acts in the U.S. After performing 72 concerts, the tour ends on February 16, 2002 in Honolulu, Hawaii in a concert that is broadcast on HBO and later released onto home video.

August 14 // Single release: "Someone to Call My Lover"
"Someone to Call My Lover" was the second single released from the All for You album. The song samples heavily from the popular America track "Ventura Highway." Jermaine Dupri works with Janet for the first time, records a remix version of the song and a remix video to go along with it. The two would later become romantically involved. The single peaks at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100, #11 on R&B, and #1 on the dance charts.

December 11 // Single release: "Son of a Gun"
"Son of a Gun (I Betcha Think This Song is About You)" was the third and final single released from the All for You album. The track incorporates the Carly Simon hit song "You're So Vain." A special single version is released as a remix that includes Missy Elliot. It is not commercially released in the US, however a music video is made to support it. It peaks at #28 on the Hot 100, #26 on R&B, and #7 on the dance chart.

2002
February 17 // HBO airs the All For You Tour from Honolulu
The final on the All For You Tour was filmed in Honolulu, Hawaii on February 16 and then aired the following night on HBO. The concert was then released onto VHS and DVD on September 3, 2002. It is Janet's second HBO concert special and second concert home video; the first being her Velvet Rope Tour in 1998.

July 3 // Single release: "Feel it Boy"
Janet sings the chorus on Beenie Man single's "Feel It Boy," the lead single from his album Tropical Storm. Its release sparked controvery as gay rights groups call for a boycott of the single, citing Beenie Man's "history of homophobic dancehall lyrics." In 2004, Janet expressed her regret for the duet, saying, "If I had known that [he had recorded songs with homophobic lyrics], I would not have worked with him. It's shocking to me. We're on the same label, so I should ahve known. But at the same time, I wish someone from the company would have told me, knowing how... I feel about the gay community." Although it never saw a commercial release in the U.S., the single peaked at #28 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #14 on the rap chart.

November 2 // Song release: "(And She Said) Take Me Now"
Janet sings the vocals on the chorus of Justin Timberlake's song "(And She Said) Take Me Now," which appears on his Justified album. The song is not released as a single.
2003
January 7 // Dupri admits to romantic relationship with Janet
Rapper and producer Jermaine Dupri reveals to Honey Magazine that him and Janet have been in a romantic relationship for the past year. "We decided to talk about it because a lot of people come up with bullshit that Janet has been with this one and that one when we were together," Dupri says.

December 9 // Single release: "Megamix 04"
To create buzz for Janet's planned and untitled upcoming album that would be released in 2004, Virgin Records hires DJ Chris Cox to create a megamix of Janet's previous and most popular songs that she recorded while signed with Virgin Records. "Megamix 04" is released to radio and clubs, and a music video comprised of clips of her past videos is created. The megamix reaches #3 on the dance charts.
2004
February 1 // Janet performs at Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show
The biggest controversy of Janet's career happens when her right breast is exposed by Justin Timberlake during her halftime show performance at Super Bowl XXXVIII in Houston, Texas. After Janet performed the songs "All for You" and "Rhythm Nation," Justin Timberlake made a surprise and previously unannounced appearance and performed the song "Rock Your Body" with Janet.

At the end of the song, as Justin sang the words, "Gonna have you naked by the end of this song," he ripped off a piece of her clothing, exposing her breast on national television. Justin quickly refers to it as a "wardrobe malfunction," a phrase that quickly became associated with the event.

Janet denies that the exposure was intentional and says that it was a costume failure. MTV, which produced the halftime show, denies involvement with the incident. The FCC fines CBS, and the United States Congress passes a bill that would impose stricter penalties to broadcast companies, which President George W. Bush signs into law. The controversy would follow her for years to come.

February 2 // Single release: "Just a Little While"
The day after Janet's controversial Super Bowl halftime show performance, Virgin Records released Janet's new single "Just a Little While" to radio in the U.S. The song is the first single from Janet's upcoming album Damita Jo. Despite filming a music video for the song, it was not released to television in the U.S. The single peaks at #45 on the Hot 100 and #1 on the dance chart.

February 19 // Single release: "I Want You"
Only a couple of weeks after "Just A Little While" was released to radio, Virgin Records releases a second single from the upcoming Damita Jo album titled "I Want You." The two simultaneous singles compete with each other for radio airplay.

Unconfirmed reports say that the song was originally titled "Have Your Way With Me," however the title was changed at the last minute, perhaps as a result of the Super Bowl halftime show backlash.

A video is made for the song, however it does not air on MTV, who produced the Super Bowl halftime show. Many fans and music journalists begin to question if the network decided to disassociate itself from Janet. The single has no commercial release in the U.S. It peaks at #57 on the Hot 100 and #18 on the R&B chart.

March 30 // Album release: Damita Jo
Janet's eighth studio album Damita Jo gets its title from her own middle name. Once again having songs on the album produced by Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, she also has several other songs produced by Dallas Austin, Kanye West, Bobby Ross Avila, IZ, Scott Storch, BAG & Arnthor, Babyface, and Rockwilder, making it the most diverse album of her career to date in regards to the number of producers working on an album.

The album only sees three released singles and a planned concert tour does not come to fruition. It is also her most sexually explicit to date, requiring a clean version to be released that completely eliminates the songs "Warmth" and "Moist" and alters the title and some lyrics of the song "Sexhibition" to "Exhibition." The album peaks at #2 on the Billboard Top 200, and #2 on the R&B albums chart.

April 27 // Single release: "All Nite (Don't Stop)"
"All Nite (Don't Stop)" was the third and final single released from the Damita Jo album, which had been released only one month prior. Similar to what happened with "I Want You," the song's music video sees little-to-no airplay support on MTV.

Virgin Records had planned to release "R&B Junkie" as the album's fourth single, even going so far as to commission DJs to remix the song and creating concepts for its potential music video, however plans to release that song as a single were eventually cancelled and the music video is never filmed. "All Nite (Don't Stop)" peaks at #90 on the R&B chart and #1 on the dance chart.

November 16 // Single release: "Don't Worry"
Janet sings the vocals on the chorus of Chingy's song "Don't Worry", which was released as the second single from his Powerballin' album. The single reaches #60 on the R&B chart.
2005
November 7 // Movie execs announce Janet to star in Tennessee
In an interview, movie director Aaron Woodley announces that Janet has signed on to co-star in the movie Tennessee. Janet learns to play guitar and also gains 60-pounds of weight for the role. At the time, it was unknown to the public why she gained the weight, which leads to much tabloid fodder.

In February 2006, it is announced that Janet has pulled out from the film, claiming that the movie, which had originally been scheduled to begin filming in spring 2006, would interfere with the recording and promotion of her planned upcoming album, which she had already began recording. It isn't until during the promotion of this album in 2006 that she explains the reasons for her drastic weight gain to the public. The movie is eventually released with Mariah Carey playing the role Janet originally had signed on for.
2006
May 1 // Song release: "Weekend"
Janet released the song "Weekend" onto her official Web site as a free gift to her fans. She recorded the song, which is a cover version of the 1984 Debbie Deb song "Lookout Weekend", while in the studio recording her next album. After only 24 hours, the song was removed from the site and in its place was a letter from Janet explaining that the song was just a gift for the fans and will not appear on her upcoming album.
June 19 // Single release: "Call on Me"
"Call on Me" was the lead single released from Janet's upcoming album 20 Y.O.. The song is a duet with rapper Nelly. It peaks at #25 on the Hot 100, #1 on R&B, and #2 on the dance chart.

August 28 // Single release: "So Excited"
"So Excited" was the second single released from Janet's upcoming album 20 Y.O.. It peaks at #90 on the Hot 100, #34 on R&B, and #1 on the dance chart.

September 26 // Album release: 20 Y.O.
Janet executive produced her ninth studio album 20 Y.O. with her then-boyfriend Jermaine Dupri. Dupri also produces several songs on the album along with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. The albums title, an abbreviation of "20 years old," takes its inspiration from the 20th anniversary of Janet's 1986 breakthrough album Control. The album peaks at #2 on the Billboard 200 albums chart and #1 on the R&B albums chart.

December 12 // Single release: "With U"
"With U" was the third and final single released from the 20 Y.O. album. No music video was made in support of the song. It peaks at #65 on the R&B chart.

2007
February 27 // Janet signs on to star in Why Did I Get Married?
Movie execs confirm that Janet has signed on to star opposite Tyler Perry in the film Why Did I Get Married? Perry wrote, directed and produced the film for Lionsgate. Janet and the crew travel to Whistler, British Columbia, where they begin filming on March 5. Production for the film then moved to Vancouver and finished in Atlanta.

The plot revolves around a couple who go away with friends every winter to examine their marriages in a group setting. One of the wives brings a sexy temptress who causes plenty of trouble for the couples. After production is finished, a release date of October 12, 2007 is announced.

July 13 // Janet signs new contract with Island Records
With the 2006 release of 20 Y.O., Janet had completed the terms of her second contract with Virgin Records. In an interview with Billboard.com, Janet's then-boyriend Jermaine Dupri confirms rumors that she has signed a new record contract with Island Records.

Island becomes the third label in Janet's musical career that she has been signed to, the first being A&M Records. Following this announcement, Dupri also confirms that Janet is immediately beginning work on recording a new album for Island Def Jam and that its production will be overseen by Def Jam CEO Antonio "L.A." Reid. The details of the contract are kept private.

October 12 // Film release: Why Did I Get Married?
Why Did I Get Married?, Janet's third major motion picture film, is released in the United States and peaks at #1 on the box office, grossing $21.5 million during its first weekend of release. The film, which had a budget of $15 million, eventually grossed a total of $55.2 million in theaters. The movie was released to DVD on February 12, 2008. It was never released in any country outside of North America.

December 27 // Single release: "Feedback"
"Feedback" was the lead single released from Janet's forthcoming album Discipline and was her first single released under a new contract with Island Records. The single peaks at #19 on the Hot 100, #39 on R&B, and #1 on the dance chart.

2008
February 5 // Single release: "Rock With U"
"Rock With U" was the second single released from Janet's forthcoming album Discipline. It peaks at #20 on the dance chart.

February 11 // Single release: "Luv"
"Luv" was the third single released from Janet's forthcoming album Discipline. There is no music video created for the song. It peaks at #34 on the R&B chart.

February 26 // Album release: Discipline
Discipline was Janet's tenth studio album and first to be released under a new contract with Island Records. This is the first album since 1984's Dream Street that Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis did not produce any songs on. The album was executive produced by Janet and her then-boyfriend Jermaine Dupri. The album peaks at #1 on both the Billboard 200 albums chart and the R&B albums chart.

March 18 // Single release: "Can't B Good"
"Can't B Good" was the fourth and final single released from the Discipline album. No music video was made to support the single. It peaks at #76 on the R&B chart.

September 10 // Rock Witchu Tour begins in Vancouver
The Rock Witchu Tour was Janet's fifth concert tour and was in support of her 2008 album Discipline. The concert is plagued with many problems, notably an illness by Janet that caused nine scheduled concerts to be canceled or postponed.

A scheduled Japanese leg of the tour is also canceled, citing the global financial crisis. This is Janet's first concert tour to only visit North America. It was also her shortest, only performing 16 concerts. The tour unexpectedly ended on November 1, 2008 in New York City. At the time, it had been anticipated that additional shows would be added, but that never happened.

September 22 // Janet's rep announces she has left Island Records
A representative for Janet announced that she has terminated her relationship with Island Records. In an interview a few months prior to this announcement, Janet expressed her displeasure at the way Island handled the release of her album Discipline.

She explained, "We started off with 'Feedback' and the label and myself haven't quite seen eye to eye since the 'Feedback' single so they've kind of basically stopped all promotion. I'm trying to figure out a way to say this, but just to say it and to be quite honest, they just stopped all promotion whatsoever on the album so I don't think you're going to hear another single off this album." Discipline was the only album Janet released on Island Records. At the time, she does not announce what record label, if any, that she will sign with next.
2009
June 5 // Janet signs on to star in Why Did I Get Married? sequel
Movie executives announced that Janet has signed on to film Why Did I Get Married Too?, the sequel to the 2007 film that she also co-starred in. Production of the film begins immediately and is temporarily halted due to the sudden death of Michael Jackson on June 25, 2009. After spending a short period of time with her family, Janet resumes filming the movie, which receives a April 2, 2010 release date.

September 9 // Janet announces her break-up with Jermaine Dupri
In an interview with Harper's Bazaar Janet reveals that she and Jermaine Dupri have ended their six-year relationship.

September 13 // Janet pays tribute to Michael at MTV VMAs
The untimely death of Janet's older brother Michael Jackson on June 25, 2009 shocked the world. On September 13, Janet paid a musical tribute to him by performing their 1995 duet "Scream" at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards. She worked with several world renowned choreographers, including her personal creative director Gil Duldulao, Jr. to coordinate the performance.

September 22 // Single release: "Make Me"
"Make Me" was the first and only single released from Janet's upcoming greatest hits album Number Ones. The song was initially offered to fans to stream for free on Janet's official website immediately following her performance at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards on September 13. A short time later, it is announced that the track would appear on a greatest hits album that would be released in November.

November 17 // Greatest hits album release: Number Ones