Janet ’ s book reads emotionally guarded . The stories are honest , but it shied away from revealing too many deep emotions even during the telling of turbulent times . I learned more about Janet ’ s evolution with the Control album from listening to Jimmy Jam on the QuestLove Supreme podcast than I did from a book supposedly written to tell a side of life previously unexplained .
Watching the DeBarge Unsung episode on TV One , enlightened me on the deeply troubled the DeBarge family . Janet married James DeBarge , an addict , between the ages of sixteen and eighteen . She would look for James DeBarge until 2 a . m ., then wake up at 4 a . m . to be on the Fame set at 6 a . m . I can ’ t imagine how much strength it took to do that . How deep she had to dig . The thoughts running through her head . The decisions she had to make during that time . And I should have a clue because I read her book . I expected to shed Lifetime and Hallmark channel worthy tears . Janet shared a lot , but I didn ’ t necessarily feel the emotion along with the stories . The book is still a good read , despite this fact .
The background of the book was nice . People will connect and be helped by it . I may cook some of the recipes placed on the back pages because I don ’ t know what she sees today when she looks in the mirror , but she is in shape .
However , the Janet that humbly stood in front of an audience while nervously rubbing her hands together , thanking her fans for their support was the real Janet . Even though she ’ s been slaying the game alongside her family for years , she ’ s grateful for the people that support her journey and allow it to continue for years to come . Shy enough to be nervous as she ad-libbed , but strong and determined enough to see it through . That was the true Janet .
However , go to a Janet Jackson concert and listen , truly listen to her catalog of music . In her songs , she gives her true full range of emotions , the pain , the strength , the resilience and often defiance . She shares her spirit , her belief system , and her love .
During a 90-minute set in Atlanta ’ s Philips Arena , I felt Janet Jackson .
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