Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

Film examining Janet Jackson's career from appearing in Diff'rent Strokes to huge global pop star, which focuses on the struggle to control both her creative and personal life.

Emerging from the shadows of the most famous family in showbusiness to become a superstar in her own right, Janet Jackson was one of the biggest female pop icons of the 80s and 90s, scoring huge international hits with songs such as What Have You Done For Me Lately? and Nasty.

This film examines Janet's phenomenal career, from her early success as a teenage actress in hit US sitcom Diff'rent Strokes to multi award-winning pop star rivalling her brother's success with ten number one singles on the American Billboard charts and worldwide album sales of over 65 million. The struggle to control both her creative and personal life is central to Janet's development as an artist and key to understanding her story - from escaping the clutches of her overbearing father to the thirst for new challenges in her groundbreaking collaborations with producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. Dubbed the 'Queen of Radio' in America, she always seemed capable of maintaining her broad-base appeal - until the infamous 2004 American Super Bowl appearance alongside Justin Timberlake.

Featuring an exclusive interview with Janet Jackson and contributions from the likes of Jimmy Jam, Janet's brother Jackie Jackson, actor Deborah Allen and British pop talent Estelle.

59 minutes

Music Played

  • Van McCoy & The Soul City Symphony

    The Hustle

  • Irene Cara

    Fame

  • Dire Straits

    Money For Nothing

  • Michael Jackson

    Thriller (Single Version)

  • Janet Jackson

    What Have You Done For Me Lately

  • Janet Jackson

    When I Think of You (dance remix)

  • Marvin Gaye

    Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)

  • Mantronix

    King Of The Beats

  • Janet Jackson

    State of the World

  • Janet Jackson

    Miss You Much

  • Janet Jackson

    Love Will Never Do (Without You)

  • Janet Jackson

    That's The Way Love Goes

  • Janet Jackson

    All For You

  • Philip Glass

    Opening

    Performer: Bruce Brubaker.
  • Janet Jackson

    What Have You Done For Me Lately

  • Janet Jackson

    Twenty Fourplay (Slow Jam International Edit)

Credits

Role Contributor
Executive Producer Gethin Scourfield
Executive Producer Paul Bullock

Broadcasts

Featured in...