janet|xone - news

Janet's official website memorializes MJ

2009-07-01T07:57:00.008-04:00

Janet's official website, www.janetjackson.com, has been changed to honor Michael Jackson with a photograph of him next to Janet's quote from the BET awards on Sunday evening:

"To you, Michael is an icon. To us, Michael is family. And he will forever live in all of our hearts. On behalf of my family and myself, thank you for all of your love, thank you for all of your support. We miss him so much. -Janet"

There are no links to go anywhere else on the website. For most of 2009, the website was simply an image of clouds that contained a sign-up form for users to enter their e-mail addresses to be notified of updates, which was next to a graphic that said, "New website coming soon."

Bravo exec says he met with Janet recently

2009-06-30T11:38:00.004-04:00

Andy Cohen, Senior Vice President of Production and Programming at the Bravo cable television network, revealed on his blog this morning that he recently met with Janet for a pitch meeting:

We had a pitch meeting with Janet a couple months ago and she was as lovely as you want her to be. She was wearing her hair like "Penny" from Good Times and I made a big deal of that (how could I not?). She said the hair-in-a-ball-on-head look actually began pre-Penny, in Vegas performing with her brothers. Janet, loveyoooo ...

Cohen did not reveal what was discussed at the meeting or if anything resulted from it.

[h/t to Kevin]

Photos of Janet at last night's BET Awards

2009-06-29T11:54:00.004-04:00

Janet makes surprise appearance at BET Awards

2009-06-28T23:39:00.011-04:00

Janet made a surprise appearance this evening at the BET Awards where she gave a short speech on behalf of the Jackson family thanking everyone for their support following the death of her brother Michael.

"My entire family wanted to be here tonight, but it was just too painful, so they elected me to speak with all of you," she said from the stage. "I'm gonna keep it very short, but I'd just like to say that to you, Michael is an icon. To us, Michael is family. He will forever live in all of our hearts. On behalf of my family and myself, thank you for all of your love, thank you for all of your support. We miss him so much. Thank you so much."

The previously scheduled awards show ended up turning into a tribute to the King of Pop, who was honored throughout the entire night.

It was Janet's first public appearance since her brother's passing. Her father Joseph was also sitting in the audience.

Janet's manager releases statement on Michael Jackson's death

2009-06-26T00:18:00.005-04:00

Janet's manager Kenneth Crear released the following statement a short time ago, as reported live on CNN:

"Janet Jackson is grief stricken and devastated at the sudden loss of her brother. She is in pre-production for a movie and is flying immediately to California to be with her family."

Michael Jackson: 1958-2009

2009-06-25T19:01:00.009-04:00

Michael Jackson passed away this afternoon in Los Angeles after suffering a cardiac arrest and being taken to a hospital, according to multiple reports including the Los Angeles Times.

The Janet Xone community expresses condolences to the entire Jackson family.

June news roundup: Janet visits London, works on new music, and starts production of new film

2009-06-23T11:35:00.006-04:00

Janet has been working with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis in Los Angeles over the past several weeks on new music. While there has been no official announcement concerning the details of the new project, music programer Tremaine Williams is working with Jimmy Jam on the production and has been posting regular updates to his Twitter acocunt.

Also, filming has started on "Why Did I Get Married, Too" in Atlanta, Georgia. Janet's character Patricia from the original film is being reprised along with the entire original cast. According to accessatlanta.com, filming began on Monday, June 22 at a house in Inman Park.

While there have been no reports of Janet on the set, Tremaine Williams posted on his twitter account this week that Janet was about to start work on the film, and implied that Jimmy Jam had "other projects" lined up while she was filming.

Release of "Why Did I Get Married, Too" is expected in April 2010.

Finally, Janet recently returned from a trip to London where she attended several events with her friend Prince Azim of Brunei. including his birthday party and a charity event for the Make A Wish Foundation. More images and information at lovebscott.com

New photos of Janet with brother Jermaine leaving Nice

2009-05-26T13:26:00.006-04:00

Janet and her brother Jermaine Jackson were spotted leaving Nice yesterday.

Additional photos can be seen at theybf.com.

[h/t to lostnspace]

UPDATE: Faded Youth Blog has some additional photos.

JD's new tatoo of Janet

2009-05-19T07:20:00.002-04:00

Jermaine Dupri recently got a new tattoo of Janet on his torso. TheLifeFiles.com has the photos.

Happy 43rd birthday, Janet

2009-05-16T13:00:00.001-04:00

The Janet|Xone community would like to wish Janet Jackson a very happy 43rd birthday today!

Official fan club closing down

2009-05-12T17:57:00.003-04:00

Janet's official Rock Witchu Tour Fan Club is closing its doors on May 29, according to an announcement posted today on the fan club's website.

The club was created for the purpose of providing its members with tickets for the Rock Witchu Tour.

Despite an announcement in January that new Japanese tour dates would be announced sometime in March to replace the canceled dates, no such dates ever surfaced. The tour by all appearances has concluded in spite of no official announcement stating so.

Photos of Janet & JD arriving in NYC today

2009-03-24T20:05:00.004-04:00

Celebrity blog Just Jared has several new photos of Janet and Jermaine Dupri arriving at New York City's La Guardia Airport earlier today.

Video of Janet going through security at LAX

2009-03-23T14:32:00.004-04:00

Sky News has posted video of Janet being searched by security on Saturday at Los Angeles International Airport.

It is not immediately clear where she was flying to.

[h/t to JdjJluva]

Lionsgate buys rights to 'Married' sequel

2009-03-06T20:48:00.006-05:00

Lionsgate this week announced that the studio has acquired the rights to Tyler Perry's "Why Did I Get Married Too," the sequel to the 2007 film "Why Did I Get Married" staring Janet.

Both Variety and the Hollywood Reporter report that Lionsgate has scheduled an April 2, 2010 release date for the film, which Perry will again write, direct and star in. The movie will be filmed later this year.

There has been no announcement as to whether Janet has committed to reprising her role as Patricia, however in an interview last month, Perry was quoted as saying that he would not film the sequel without having the original cast.

Previously:
Tyler Perry plans Why Did I Get Married? sequel [JX]

Live Nation denies signing a deal with Janet

2009-02-13T06:59:00.010-05:00

A spokesperson for Live Nation is denying gossip reports that the company is in talks with Janet to sign a contract, according to Billboard.biz.

"We have not signed a deal with Janet, nor are we currently in discussions with the artist," says John Vlautin, senior VP of communications for Live Nation.

Gossip websites had incorrectly reported rumors earlier this week that Janet had signed a contract with the company and was planning to release a new album in the spring.

[Editor's note: Janet|Xone purposely did not post the rumors earlier this week because they were unsubstantiated and provided no evidence of being anything other than speculation.]

Tyler Perry plans Why Did I Get Married? sequel

2009-02-09T14:41:00.002-05:00

Tyler Perry has told BlackVoices.com in a new interview that he is currently in the process of writing a sequel for the 2007 film Why Did I Get Married? and wants to reunite the entire cast for the film.

Will there be another pairing with Tasha Smith?

Tyler Perry: 'Why Did Get Married Too?' I'm writing it right now.

Why do a sequel to the film?

TP: Because there is so much I want to say. There's not another film that I have written that I felt like there's more to say; and there's more say in 'Why Did I Get Married Too.'

Will it the same cast or a new group of actors?

TP: It will be the same cast. Everybody. I won't do it without the original cast.

What's the storyline?

TP: I can't talk about it now, but it's going to be great.

Jimmy Jam says he's working with Janet on new project

2009-02-09T09:25:00.003-05:00

In a new interview posted on YouTube by the Grammy organization, Jimmy Jam said that Flyte Tyme is currently working with Janet on a new project.

"We're also working with Janet Jackson," he said in the interview. "We did not work on her last album at all. And contrary to some things I think that have been written, there was no riff - there was no beef between us. She decided to go a different way, which was fine, but we've been working together over twenty years. We've just started putting the seeds for a new project together and we're really excited about it."

New official Janet Jackson website coming soon

2009-01-27T09:32:00.006-05:00

Janet's official website at www.janetjackson.com was suddenly removed last night and has been replaced with a message indicating that a new website will be "coming soon."

The previous version of the website can still be accessed by clicking the link to the message board, which remains on the homepage.

Janet's company Black Doll Inc. operates the website.

Janet cancels Japanese leg of Rock Witchu Tour

2009-01-26T10:49:00.003-05:00

Janet's Japanese leg of the Rock Witchu Tour, which was scheduled to begin in February, has been postponed. She had been scheduled to perform five concerts.

Japanese concert promoter Kyodo Yokohama said the concerts were canceled due to the global financial crisis, according to the BBC. The shows will reportedly be rescheduled later this year, with new dates expected to be announced in March.

Janet had previously canceled seven shows in North America and rescheduled three other shows late last year.

Janet reportedly attending final episode of Celebrity Big Brother

2009-01-22T22:12:00.004-05:00

Janet, Tito and LaToya will be attending Friday night's final episode of UK television show Celebrity Big Brother, according to a report in The Sun.

LaToya was a contestant on the reality show until she was eliminated on Wednesday evening. The Sun reports that she will return to the house with Janet and Tito to congratulate the winner of the show.

There has been no official announcement about whether they will indeed be attending Friday's show, which airs live.

Janet reportedly attending Super Bowl party in Tampa

2009-01-21T16:29:00.006-05:00

Janet will be attending a Super Bowl party on Friday, January 30 in Tampa, Florida, that is being hosted by Jermaine Dupri, according to the official website for the party.

The Under the Veil Celebrity Super Bowl Party will be held at the Museum of Science and Industry and is open to the public. Tickets are on sale now and cost $300 for men and $100 for women. VIP tickets are $600.

[h/t to dafranchizer]

In London, Janet celebrates President Obama's inauguration

2009-01-21T07:31:00.004-05:00

Still in London, Janet was photographed last night leaving Mayfair restaurant Cipriani after having dinner with supermodels Jerry Hall and Caprice, and Prince Azem of Brunei. Following the dinner, they reportedly headed to nearby nightclub Mahiki for a party in celebration of President Obama's inauguration.

While his partner was in London, Jermaine Dupri yesterday was in Washington D.C. for the inauguration. He has posted a video of yesterday's events on YouTube.

UPDATE: Additional photos from last night can be seen on the Faded Youth Blog.

Daily Mail: Janet in London to support LaToya, attend 'Thriller Live'

2009-01-20T14:44:00.004-05:00

The Daily Mail is reporting that Janet is currently in London to support her sister LaToya who is filming the reality show "Celebrity Big Brother," and also to attend the premiere of "Thriller Live," the new West End musical based on the music of her brother Michael.

The Mail's website also has new photos of Janet leaving Mahiki nightclub in Mayfair last night.

Previously:
New photos of Janet at London's Heathrow Airport yesterday [JX]

New photos of Janet at London's Heathrow Airport yesterday

2009-01-19T08:17:00.006-05:00

Paparazzi captured photos of Janet arriving at Heathrow International Airport in London on Sunday after flying in from Los Angeles.

She is seen in the photos with choreographer and friend Gil Duldulao.

The reason for her trip is unknown.

[h/t to andy20yo]

JD talks to Essence about Janet and Island Def Jam

2009-01-13T12:25:00.007-05:00

In a new interview with Essence Magazine, Jermaine Dupri discussed his abrupt recent exit as president of Island Records Urban Music and how it relates to Janet.

Some interesting parts:

ESSENCE.COM: Was it an amicable parting?
DUPRI: I haven't spoken to L.A. [Reid] in three months. I don't know if it's amicable [considering] that they claim they put me out. I feel like it's not amicable. Don't lie, be real about the situation. It goes back to their having the attitude of let's try and do something that's going to hurt this person, because if it hurts us we have nowhere to go after this, but he does and has at least another 20 more years in this business. Again, if L.A. [Reid] gets fired, there will be at least another ten people who will also get fired and we'll never see them again. Def Jam is like one big clique.

ESSENCE.COM: Although it's been three months since you've spoken to L.A. Reid, would you be open to reconciliation?
DUPRI: I don't know. I saw a side of him that I had never seen before and that to me was a jealous side. I don't know if I should be around people who are jealous of me. Mariah Carey sold more records in that entire Def Jam building and all of that was through my singles; so I'm looking like the golden boy. I only started thinking about it after I left.

ESSENCE.COM: Does Janet support your decision?
DUPRI: We don't get down like that. She's Janet Jackson without Jermaine Dupri and vice versa. That's how we met doing our own thing. I talk to her about some things but it is what it is. I have to stay in my own lane-that's where Bobby Brown messed up. (Laughs.)

ESSENCE.COM: Gossipmongers speculate that your departure was inevitable after Janet Jackson left because you left Virgin Urban Music after Janet left to go to Def Jam. Did Janet's departure from Island influence your decision in any way?
DUPRI: No, not really. For a while I had to figure out the bad part about Janet's departure. She was on Island Def Jam and no one ever heard me speak on the situation. Here I'm still working in the building with the people that aren't treating my girlfriend right, but I never let my business and her business get mixed up. She might have been upset about me still being around, but it was never a situation where I was like, "This is bad; I have to move because of this." Janet was handled through L.A. He chased her because he wanted to get her on the label so bad, and when things didn't go right he had a scapegoat for her whole album [not doing well]-me. But what people don't know is that Janet's whole album was designed and made by him. He picked every song. I produced two songs on the entire album. I had a better track record with her at Virgin.

ESSENCE.COM: When it comes to your passion for music you are strongly convicted about what you will and won't tolerate. What happened with the Grammy Board?
DUPRI: The same thing happened-they let me down. I was the president of the Atlanta chapter. The Grammys chose not to have Janet on the show because of the whole Super Bowl incident. Now, here I am as the president, and you think when you're in that position you can impact and change things. Once they showed me that being a president didn't mean that, I left.

He also answered questions about the recent rumors that Janet was pregnant with his child:

ESSENCE.COM: As one of the most respected producers and songwriters in the biz you are often the focus of many rumors; one of them is that you and Janet Jackson are expecting a child. Is that true?
DUPRI: That's false. The media doesn't care about publicists anymore. I had my publicist send out a written statement about it. No babies, nothing.

ESSENCE.COM: Do you and Janet plan to start a family?
DUPRI: Yeah, of course. That's going happen. We have to keep our careers and get all the rigmarole out the way but yes, that's something that will definitely happen.

ESSENCE.COM: And can we expect you and Janet to continue your musical alliance at another label?
DUPRI: Absolutely. We're going to always do that.

Source: Kenya N. Byrd. "Jermaine Dupri Sets Record Straight on Def Jam Exit." Essence. 12 January, 2009.