Janet Jackson Covers Essence Magazine / Talks Overcoming Depression, Motherhood, & More

Published: Wednesday 20th Jun 2018 by Sam

Janet Jackson is gearing up to blaze the stage as headliner at the 2018 Essence Music Festival in New Orleans.

It’s apt, then, that the Queen Of Pop appears a-front of the July/August issue of Essence Magazine.

Shining in a gorgeous gold suit, the singer beams as she flashes her trademark smile.

Within the pages of the prestigious publication, the 52-year-old opens up about darker times – specifically her battling depression.

Her words below…

Written as an emotional open letter, Jackson revealed that juxtaposed with the bright lights of her success were much more trying times. Particularly in her 30s and 40s. She wrote:

In my thirties: I was happy with my growth as an artist. I was happy to write and sing about life experiences, like sensual pleasure, and nonmaterial matters, like faith, with less self-consciousness. I’ve always tried to deepen my faith. I was happy that while I might not have found a spiritual solution to my problems, I was on a spiritual path. I read somewhere it’s not about the destination, but the journey. Deep down I may have known that true happiness is not in the accomplishment but in the learning process leading to accomplishment.

Yet I still had not embraced this idea. It was an abstract concept, not an emotional reality. These were difficult years, when I struggled with depression. The struggle was intense. I could analyze the source of my depression forever. Low self-esteem might be rooted in childhood feelings of inferiority. It could relate to failing to meet impossibly high standards. And of course there are always the societal issues of racism and sexism. Put it all together and depression is a tenacious and scary condition. Thankfully, I found my way through it.

She continued…

“In my forties: Like millions of women in the world, I still heard voices inside my head berating me, voices questioning my value. Happiness was elusive. A reunion with old friends might make me happy. A call from a colleague might make me happy. But because sometimes I saw my failed relationships as my fault, I easily fell into despair.”


Now in her 50s and finalizing her divorce from Wissam Al Mana, Jackson says she’s happier than she has been in a while and that said joy comes from faith, work, and being a mother to son Eissa:

“…The height of happiness is holding my baby son in my arms and hearing him coo, or when I look into his smiling eyes and watch him respond to my tenderness. When I kiss him. When I sing him softly to sleep. During those sacred times, happiness is everywhere. Happiness is in gratitude to God. Happiness is saying, ‘Thank you, God, for my life, my energy and my capacity to grow in love.’ ”

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A stunning shoot paired with a compelling read.

It’s awesome having Janet “back” and embracing the spotlight by way of performances, magazine covers, and music.

As pertains the latter, word is that new material is set to drop imminently.

What is certain, in the here and now, is that the July/August issue of Essence hits newsstands on June 22nd!

Also look out for Janet when her ‘State Of The World Tour’ returns for its latest leg in July.

Your thoughts?

[Photo credit: Essence]

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  1. Jasmine (The Real Jasmine) June 20, 2018

    She looks beautiful, youthful, and georgeous.

    • Fancy BISH June 20, 2018

      Yaaas ??Unlike Justinesha who looks ugly, old and busted lmao ?

  2. pat June 20, 2018

    flawless queen… I hope her essence performance is live streamed.

  3. JuJu June 20, 2018

    Are those wrinkles? LoL, she looks gorge.

  4. The Truth June 20, 2018

    It breaks my heart when I start to see “time” and “age” on our childhood stars.

    But who cares … she’s still beautiful and will always be.

    • Caleb June 20, 2018

      Seriously?! That “breaks your heart”?

      • #TrashMineExposed – 5-3-18 – 5-24-18 – 5-25-18 June 20, 2018

        Hey Wigga

  5. Olusheyi June 20, 2018

    Go head Janet

  6. Achooo! June 20, 2018

    Gorgeous

  7. ??? June 20, 2018

    SLAY QUEEN!

    • Fancy BISH June 20, 2018

      We finally agree lol ✅ ?

  8. Jeans June 20, 2018

    Slaying!

  9. stan June 20, 2018

    gorgeous

  10. Haterz Gon’ Hate June 20, 2018

    She looks stunning. A better shoot than the other one before the BBA. Janet has always been flawlessly styled – I just don’t get why others like Christina can’t hire stylists who play to and capitalise on their beauty.

  11. i hate all yall whytte n blllack bitczz..both not Sht June 20, 2018

    hallejua hallejua hallyeja halleula…janet finally took the fkin pony tail off…yes she has new hair and make up…..yes…..get it b****…it dungeon time…

  12. i hate all yall whytte n blllack bitczz..both not Sht June 20, 2018

    finally….she put some fat in her lips…those flat bologna lips did not work thin ass lips ewww…how can she really suck dude dic…that is why her husband was not happy… thanks ..finallly the b**** has lips///

  13. Deyzz June 20, 2018

    Sorry, not a good look. She looks fake…like she is.

  14. #TrashMineExposed – 5-3-18 – 5-24-18 – 5-25-18 June 20, 2018

    Damn home girl has aged.

    • designer ( university studied not tumblr LOL ) June 21, 2018

      like everyone lol

  15. DanYiel Iman June 20, 2018

    Her surgeries have been a blessing onto her whispering soprano tones!!

  16. ~The Arcade~ June 20, 2018

    Ms. Jackson’s energy is A1.

  17. Just_blaze June 20, 2018

    Janet awwwwww this is everything

  18. eric June 20, 2018

    Nice to see the fun and color back!!

  19. Shana June 21, 2018

    I love Janet. So glad she’s happy.❤️❤️

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