**‘I shouldn’t have listened to those around me’: Janet Jackson on Michael, Motherhood and How She’s Taking Back Control**

Janet Jackson, the pop icon whose career has spanned over four decades, has always been a subject of fascination. Known for her groundbreaking music, striking performances, and role in pop culture, she’s also had her share of public trials, from family drama to personal struggles. In her latest interview, Jackson opens up about the pivotal moments in her life — including her complex relationship with her brother Michael, her transformative journey into motherhood, and her mission to reclaim control over her career and life.

### **Growing Up in the Spotlight: The Jackson Family Legacy**

As the youngest member of the legendary Jackson family, Janet Jackson’s childhood was anything but ordinary. Born into one of the most famous musical families in the world, she was thrust into the limelight at a young age. While her older brothers, especially Michael, were household names, Janet was constantly compared to her family’s colossal success. In the interview, Janet reflects on how her upbringing and her relationship with Michael shaped her career and her sense of self.

“I was always proud of Michael, always,” she shares. “But being part of the Jackson family came with a lot of expectations. You could never just be yourself; there was always this pressure to live up to something bigger than what you were.”

While Michael Jackson’s rise to superstardom was meteoric, Janet’s career blossomed later, and in her own unique way. Yet, for years, she found herself in Michael’s shadow. The comparisons were inevitable, but it took Janet some time to carve out her own identity — not just as a Jackson but as Janet, the artist, and woman.

Despite their fame, Janet admits that her relationship with Michael was complicated. He was a source of inspiration and a source of pain. “Michael was a genius, but he also struggled with his own demons. I understand now that the pressure he felt was immense, and I don’t think he had the ability to fully communicate or process it,” Janet says. “He carried so much on his shoulders.”

She also admits that, at times, she felt sidelined by the overwhelming focus on Michael. While she acknowledges the pain of always being compared to him, Janet now expresses a sense of liberation that has come with owning her own narrative. “I shouldn’t have listened to those around me who told me to do things a certain way,” she reveals. “It was hard at the time, but now I see I could have made different choices, and I would have been more free.”

### **The Evolution of Janet Jackson: Reclaiming Control**

One of the most significant turning points in Janet Jackson’s career came with the release of *Control* in 1986. The album was a bold declaration of independence, both musically and personally. “*Control* was my way of saying, ‘I’m taking back the reins of my life,'” she says, reflecting on the album’s impact. “It was my first real declaration of who I was — not who anyone else wanted me to be.”

The album was a smash hit, producing hits like *What Have You Done for Me Lately*, *Nasty*, and *When I Think of You*. These tracks represented a new era for Janet, where she moved from the background of her family’s fame into the spotlight on her own terms. However, even with this new-found independence, Janet admits that the pressures of being in the public eye continued to affect her. The scrutiny of her personal life — especially her marriages and relationships — was relentless.

Over the years, Janet Jackson has been through personal and professional turmoil, from high-profile relationships to public battles with the media. Yet through it all, she remained resilient. In her latest interview, she opens up about how she has finally learned to take back control — not just of her career but of her own narrative. “There was a time I let others make decisions for me, whether it was about my music, my body, my relationships, or my image. But now, I’ve learned that I need to be the one in charge,” Janet states firmly.

Her 2015 album *Unbreakable* symbolized that reclaiming of her artistic control. The album wasn’t just a return to music after a hiatus; it was a statement. “It was about owning everything. Owning my story, my body, my voice,” she explains.

### **Motherhood: A New Chapter in Janet’s Life**

Perhaps one of the most profound aspects of Janet’s transformation has been her journey into motherhood. In 2017, at the age of 50, Janet gave birth to her son, Eissa Al Mana. The decision to have a child later in life was not one she took lightly, and it came after her divorce from her ex-husband Wissam Al Mana. Janet admits that the path to motherhood was not an easy one and, in many ways, has been a healing journey for her.

“I never thought I would become a mother. It was something I wanted, but life had its own timing,” she confesses. “Becoming a mother at this stage of my life has brought me a sense of peace. It’s allowed me to embrace a new chapter of joy and fulfillment.”

For Janet, motherhood has been a grounding force. While she admits that being a mother at 50 comes with its challenges, she wouldn’t change a thing. “It’s the greatest blessing, and I wish I’d had the confidence to do it sooner,” she says.

However, the experience has also made her more protective of her privacy. Jackson has taken great measures to ensure that Eissa grows up away from the public eye. “He deserves a childhood free from the spotlight,” Janet states. “I want him to have a sense of normalcy that I didn’t have.”

### **Healing and Moving Forward**

As Janet reflects on her life and career, she acknowledges that the journey to healing has been long, and it continues. “There are things I wish I had done differently, but that’s part of the process,” she says. “I’ve learned so much about myself, and it’s only now that I truly understand what it means to take back control of my life.”

With a renewed sense of purpose and a strong focus on her son, Janet Jackson is entering the next chapter of her life and career with confidence. As she looks forward to new projects, both musical and personal, she continues to be an inspiration to millions.

“I’m not the same person I was 20 years ago, and I’m not the same person I was 10 years ago. But I’m finally the person I want to be,” Janet declares with a smile. “It’s my time.”

Indeed, Janet Jackson’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and rediscovery — a powerful reminder that, no matter the hurdles, we all have the power to take control of our own narrative.