Janet Jackson
Janet Jackson's music career in photos
![Happy birthday, Janet Jackson! The award-winning pop icon turns 55 on May 16, 2021. Take a look at her music career in pictures.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/05/12/USAT/e834e6c5-71bc-4892-bc88-6276f7731e6d-001_GettyImages-1201985471.jpg?width=440&height=660&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Happy birthday, Janet Jackson! The award-winning pop icon turns 55 on May 16, 2021. Take a look at her music career in pictures.
Gregg DeGuire, Getty Images For The Recording Academy![Michael Jackson kisses his sister Janet after she presented him with the Grammy Legend Award at the 35th annual Grammy Awards on Feb. 24, 1993.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/05/12/USAT/c2fbc03a-e3c1-4ad3-84aa-d222b967449c-007_GettyImages-88698793.jpg?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Michael Jackson kisses his sister Janet after she presented him with the Grammy Legend Award at the 35th annual Grammy Awards on Feb. 24, 1993.
Scott Flynn, AFP Via Getty ImagesJanet Jackson with brother Michael at the MTV Music Video Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York on Sept. 7, 1995.
Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY![Retired Gen. Colin L. Powell presents Jackson with a miniature red wagon, a representation of America ' s Promise - The Alliance for Youth, at a news conference on March 12, 1998, in New York.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/05/12/USAT/4314e442-2ce3-4385-b572-821fdfd7b3af-009_GettyImages-1183892101.jpg?width=660&height=513&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Retired Gen. Colin L. Powell presents Jackson with a miniature red wagon, a representation of America's Promise - The Alliance for Youth, at a news conference on March 12, 1998, in New York.
Matt Campbell, AFP Via Getty Images![Jackson look to South African President Nelson Mandela at Mandela ' s residence in Johannesburg on Nov. 10, 1998.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/05/12/USAT/8ab0ac9b-077d-4a84-a6b7-79ae2214bace-010_GettyImages-1183915202.jpg?width=472&height=660&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Jackson look to South African President Nelson Mandela at Mandela's residence in Johannesburg on Nov. 10, 1998.
AFP Via Getty Images![Jackson kicks off her U.S. concert tour in Washington, D.C., on July 9, 1998.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/05/12/USAT/cffd4fc8-06ca-4598-8d55-c0476f1ad297-011_USATSI_15590283.jpg?width=441&height=660&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Jackson kicks off her U.S. concert tour in Washington, D.C., on July 9, 1998.
Jym Wilson, USA TODAY NetworkJackson and Eddie Murphy star in the 2000 film "Nutty Professor II: The Klumps.
Universal Studio![Jackson arrives at the premiere of " Nutty Professor II " with her father Joe Jackson in Universal City, California, on July 24, 2000.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/05/12/USAT/ddd742ef-9d0d-43f1-aa8c-5589bd8d1993-012_GettyImages-51560772.jpg?width=660&height=490&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Jackson arrives at the premiere of "Nutty Professor II" with her father Joe Jackson in Universal City, California, on July 24, 2000.
Lucy Nicholson, AFP Via Getty Images![Jackson performs in concert on Aug. 23, 2001, at Madison Square Garden in New York.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/05/12/USAT/d29ade82-99a8-4113-b955-a510311c049a-014_GettyImages-1610291.jpg?width=660&height=442&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Jackson performs in concert on Aug. 23, 2001, at Madison Square Garden in New York.
George De Sota, Getty Images![Gloria Estefan, left, Mathew McConaughey and Jackson announce album of the year at the 44th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on Feb. 27, 2002.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/05/12/USAT/399dc0ea-1e34-441a-8bd1-a4f597d4f186-015_GettyImages-51704147.jpg?width=583&height=660&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Gloria Estefan, left, Mathew McConaughey and Jackson announce album of the year at the 44th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on Feb. 27, 2002.
Hector Mata, AFP Via Getty Images![Jackson received the Reader ' s Choice Award at the 2002 Essence Awards.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/05/12/USAT/0a31e138-d490-4c99-abde-cda90dd53db8-016_GettyImages-2258706.jpg?width=461&height=660&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Jackson received the Reader's Choice Award at the 2002 Essence Awards.
Kevin Winter, Getty Images![Jackson and Justin Timberlake perform during the halftime show at Super Bowl XXXVIII on Feb. 1, 2004, in Houston.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/05/12/USAT/6532a5fc-d31c-4e10-b1f4-2b90843fe3d6-017_GettyImages-2920782.jpg?width=408&height=660&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Jackson and Justin Timberlake perform during the halftime show at Super Bowl XXXVIII on Feb. 1, 2004, in Houston.
Frank Micelotta, Getty Images![Jackson and then-boyfriend Jermaine Dupri attend the 2004 NBA All-Star Game on Feb. 15, 2004, in Los Angeles.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/05/12/USAT/f51d0cb0-0c60-4c63-adae-f6736035e9f6-018_GettyImages-2986690.jpg?width=443&height=660&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Jackson and then-boyfriend Jermaine Dupri attend the 2004 NBA All-Star Game on Feb. 15, 2004, in Los Angeles.
Vince Bucci, Getty Images![Jackson poses for a USA TODAY portrait at the L ' Ermitage Hotel in Beverly Hills on March 20, 2004.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/05/12/USAT/c1b04902-a62f-4405-8b82-f21d3c627d88-019_USATSI_9834230.jpg?width=440&height=660&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Jackson poses for a USA TODAY portrait at the L'Ermitage Hotel in Beverly Hills on March 20, 2004.
Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY![Jackson arrives at a record release party for her new CD " Damita Jo " at Spice Market on March 29, 2004, in New York.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/05/12/USAT/30622627-ee54-45cf-9dda-18f169236159-020_GettyImages-3156571.jpg?width=494&height=660&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Jackson arrives at a record release party for her new CD "Damita Jo" at Spice Market on March 29, 2004, in New York.
Evan Agostini, Getty Images![Jackson appears on " The Tonight Show with Jay Leno " on April 29, 2004.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/05/12/USAT/25ee8a31-1e73-485c-b88b-4380921bc07a-021_GettyImages-50786015.jpg?width=660&height=441&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Jackson appears on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" on April 29, 2004.
Kevin Winter, Getty Images![Janet Jackson and Dupri attend the Bill Blass Fall 2005 show during the Olympus Fashion Week in Bryant Park on Feb. 8, 2005, in New York.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/05/12/USAT/5dc8472f-44e3-454c-9d60-7275933968d9-022_GettyImages-52158674.jpg?width=660&height=447&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Janet Jackson and Dupri attend the Bill Blass Fall 2005 show during the Olympus Fashion Week in Bryant Park on Feb. 8, 2005, in New York.
Peter Kramer, Getty Images![Jackson arrives at the 2006 ESPY Awards at the Kodak Theatre on July 12, 2006, in Hollywood, California.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/05/12/USAT/0e867ebc-2a55-48d2-bd7f-090ec319e5a1-023_GettyImages-71427905.jpg?width=387&height=660&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Jackson arrives at the 2006 ESPY Awards at the Kodak Theatre on July 12, 2006, in Hollywood, California.
Frazer Harrison, Getty Images![Jackson poses while promoting her new album " 20 Years Old " on July 26, 2006, in Berlin.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/05/12/USAT/b6c25836-d92a-4855-bfe4-11c0fcf48ae8-024_GettyImages-71519672.jpg?width=660&height=429&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Jackson poses while promoting her new album "20 Years Old" on July 26, 2006, in Berlin.
Andreas Rentz, Getty Images![Jackson holds a snake as she arrives at the Tao Nightclub at the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino during the club ' s anniversary party on Sept. 30, 2006, in Las Vegas.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/05/12/USAT/b0eb3d47-5a06-417c-9d6e-df45c87dc52b-025_GettyImages-72058039.jpg?width=660&height=541&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Jackson holds a snake as she arrives at the Tao Nightclub at the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino during the club's anniversary party on Sept. 30, 2006, in Las Vegas.
Ethan Miller, Getty Images![A few months later, she performs onstage at the 2006 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/05/12/USAT/00cc218b-ab1a-4b8b-a620-b94153c36af9-026_GettyImages-72718257.jpg?width=660&height=505&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
A few months later, she performs onstage at the 2006 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas.
Kevin Winter, Getty Images![Jackson watches Venus Williams at the US Open on Aug. 27, 2007, in Flushing Meadows, NY.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/05/12/USAT/a8e45c7c-7566-4b33-a29a-376d4c295c25-027_GettyImages-76355709.jpg?width=660&height=572&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Jackson watches Venus Williams at the US Open on Aug. 27, 2007, in Flushing Meadows, NY.
Don Emmert, AFP Via Getty Images![Jackson accepts the award for best supporting actress in a motion picture for " Tyler Perry ' s Why Did I Get Married " at the 2008 NAACP Image Awards.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/05/12/USAT/3bf5a26b-202c-4634-82fe-6bd988f83f9b-030_GettyImages-79762295.jpg?width=448&height=660&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Jackson accepts the award for best supporting actress in a motion picture for "Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married" at the 2008 NAACP Image Awards.
Jesse Grant, Getty Images![Jackson accepts the Vanguard Award onstage during the 19th annual GLAAD Media Awards on April 26, 2008.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/05/12/USAT/5c73bf51-5424-4800-8d54-6f83a3d7fd83-031_GettyImages-80876834.jpg?width=458&height=660&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Jackson accepts the Vanguard Award onstage during the 19th annual GLAAD Media Awards on April 26, 2008.
Vince Bucci, Getty Images![Janet Jackson, along with Paris-Michael Katherine Jackson, LaToya Jackson, Jermaine Jackson and Prince Michael Jackson II (aka Blanket), attend the public memorial service for Michael Jackson in Los Angeles on July 7, 2009, weeks after her brother died at age 50.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/05/12/USAT/a546ab13-1781-4c30-bef6-dbaccaaabe82-032_GettyImages-88888570.jpg?width=660&height=492&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Janet Jackson, along with Paris-Michael Katherine Jackson, LaToya Jackson, Jermaine Jackson and Prince Michael Jackson II (aka Blanket), attend the public memorial service for Michael Jackson in Los Angeles on July 7, 2009, weeks after her brother died at age 50.
Pool, Getty Images![A few months later, she ' s seen performing during the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall on Sept. 13, 2009, in New York.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/05/12/USAT/0dbca018-5551-49b7-8c12-fab42a0b59b2-033_GettyImages-90712636.jpg?width=660&height=444&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
A few months later, she's seen performing during the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall on Sept. 13, 2009, in New York.
Christopher Polk, Getty Images![She also performs at the 2009 American Music Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on Nov. 22, 2009, in Los Angeles.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/05/12/USAT/71f54591-e9e3-4287-bdec-bf6b99e9bed7-034_GettyImages-93309429.jpg?width=660&height=518&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
She also performs at the 2009 American Music Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on Nov. 22, 2009, in Los Angeles.
Kevork Djansezian, Getty Images![Jackson performs during the 2010 Essence Music Festival at the Louisiana Superdome on July 2, 2010, in New Orleans.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/05/12/USAT/fd37895f-362b-4851-bf5d-2f04ff31097d-035_GettyImages-102597713.jpg?width=660&height=445&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Jackson performs during the 2010 Essence Music Festival at the Louisiana Superdome on July 2, 2010, in New Orleans.
Sean Gardner, Getty Images![Jackson promotes her book " True You: A Guide to Finding and Loving Yourself " at Barnes & Noble in New York on March 19, 2011.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/05/12/USAT/9fde115c-e04b-4eb6-8760-53269213c41e-036_GettyImages-110480152.jpg?width=440&height=660&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Jackson promotes her book "True You: A Guide to Finding and Loving Yourself" at Barnes & Noble in New York on March 19, 2011.
Dario Cantatore, Getty Images![Jackson performs live at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre on Nov. 2, 2011, in Gold Coast, Australia.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/05/12/USAT/40584e7f-158b-406f-a246-418a9947ae7f-037_GettyImages-131156176.jpg?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Jackson performs live at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre on Nov. 2, 2011, in Gold Coast, Australia.
Matt Roberts, Getty Images![Jackson arrives at the 2012 amfAR ' s Cinema Against AIDS during the 65th annual Cannes Film Festival at Hotel Du Cap on May 24, 2012, in France.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/05/12/USAT/2d42858a-d129-4148-b00d-e1e48c675eed-038_GettyImages-145226687.jpg?width=474&height=660&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Jackson arrives at the 2012 amfAR's Cinema Against AIDS during the 65th annual Cannes Film Festival at Hotel Du Cap on May 24, 2012, in France.
Andreas Rentz, Getty Images![The following year, she returns to the annual Cinema Against AIDS event.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/05/12/USAT/47833e55-9e6d-4f85-877a-591b2dd1186e-039_GettyImages-169345809.jpg?width=440&height=660&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
The following year, she returns to the annual Cinema Against AIDS event.
Alberto Pizzoli, AFP Via Getty Images![In 2016, Jackson performs after the Dubai World Cup on March 26, 2016.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/05/12/USAT/788291f7-7621-438f-ac35-a78fd19fb45f-040_GettyImages-517623176.jpg?width=660&height=456&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
In 2016, Jackson performs after the Dubai World Cup on March 26, 2016.
Francois Nel, Getty Images![Jackson attends OUT Magazine #OUT100 Event presented by Lexus at the the Altman Building on Nov. 9, 2017, in New York.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/05/12/USAT/6baf88fd-7b14-445e-b2ed-aa1849e76168-041_GettyImages-872359252.jpg?width=660&height=528&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Jackson attends OUT Magazine #OUT100 Event presented by Lexus at the the Altman Building on Nov. 9, 2017, in New York.
Bryan Bedder![She attends the 2018 Billboard Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 20, 2018, in Las Vegas.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/05/12/USAT/53c06d5d-875f-4f2e-8108-cbb830037b1c-042_GettyImages-960643298.jpg?width=441&height=660&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
She attends the 2018 Billboard Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 20, 2018, in Las Vegas.
Frazer Harrison, Getty Images![Jackson performs on her State of the World tour on July 20, 2018.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/05/12/USAT/9cd65be8-c85b-4d15-b7f6-d88a07565803-043_USATSI_11836590.jpg?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Jackson performs on her State of the World tour on July 20, 2018.
John Whitehead For The York Daily Record![She ' s seen taking the stage during the MTV EMAs 2018 at Bilbao Exhibition Centre on Nov. 4, 2018, in Bilbao, Spain.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/05/12/USAT/35d39482-605f-489e-b04c-2c384b1a4098-044_GettyImages-1057344230.jpg?width=660&height=441&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
She's seen taking the stage during the MTV EMAs 2018 at Bilbao Exhibition Centre on Nov. 4, 2018, in Bilbao, Spain.
Stuart C. Wilson, Getty Images For MTV![Most recently, Jackson could be seen speaking during her induction into the Rock and Roll Fame on March 29, 2019, in New York.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/05/12/USAT/2ff6bfe8-1b1f-4a14-8ef7-b762dd047263-045_GettyImages-1139198742.jpg?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Most recently, Jackson could be seen speaking during her induction into the Rock and Roll Fame on March 29, 2019, in New York.
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