Pop icon Janet Jackson is currently winning over fans and critics alike, pumping out the hits weekly on her worldwide tour. However, even with the success of the trek – ‘Number Ones: Up, Close, and Personal’ Tour – the ‘Feedback’ singer has come under fire yet again with allegations of lip-syncing.
Amidst a sold out tour, the ‘Go Deep’ singer stopped to chat with the Minneapolis Star Tribune to dish on the happenings of the trek, including Nicki Minaj‘s recent ‘wardrobe malfunction’, future plans (album and film) and, of course, the almighty lip-syncing question. Find out how Miss Jackson responded after the jump:
Via Minneapolis Tribune:
Q: What’s your favorite memory of Minneapolis?
A: I have so many, but being in Minneapolis to record “Control” stands out. It was the first time I was recording a CD without my family. It was a great.
Q: What do you like most about this tour? The least?
A: I am having so much fun on this tour. It is the largest ever world tour for me. Whenever possible, I am choosing more intimate venues. I love being able to see everyone’s face in the audience.
Q: What is it like to perform “Scream” without your brother Michael?
A: It is amazing. It’s very therapeutic. The energy of the song is fierce but it makes me smile inside when I hear him, when I hear his voice.
Q: What goes through your mind onstage on this tour vs. what went through your mind onstage during your arena tours?
A: All I can think about during the show is how much fun I am having and how grateful I am to all the fans who have supported me all these years.
Q: Why do you end the show with “Together Again”?
A: I love what the song says… I am letting the audience know that we will be together again… hopefully soon!
Q: Over the years, some people have said that Janet lip-syncs in concert. What’s the situation on this tour? Is all your singing live?
A: Yes, I am singing live.
Q: What’s the hardest thing about being Janet Jackson?
A: Answering that question. LOL
Q: How has Michael’s death changed you?
A: I appreciate life even more.
Q: Now that Nicki Minaj and others have had wardrobe malfunctions on TV, how do you feel about what happened to you because of your wardrobe malfunction at the Super Bowl?
A: Well, I am sorry that it has happened to others. It is not a great feeling and I sympathize with them. I find it interesting in my case that I am the only person who it seems to still come up for.
Q: Talk about the challenges of being a pop star today vs what things were like for you in the ’80s and ’90s. What kind of things in this 24/7 media world do Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Rihanna and the new breed of pop divas have to deal with that you, Madonna, Whitney and Mariah didn’t?
A: The business today is very different. The Internet plays an important role in music today. You can have an unknown artist become popular by posting their music on the web. Record labels are all looking for new ways to promote their artist and, in a lot of ways; the artist must take a more involved role. In the past, the label did that for you.
Q: Movie plans?
A: I am excited to have partnered with Lionsgate to produce my first film. I am reading a lot of scripts and really enjoying the process. I am also reading scripts to act in as well.
Q: How ’bout recording plans?
A: I will go back into the studio later this year or early next. I am not sure what I will be doing yet. I like to be inspired by what is going on in my life at that time.
Q: What are your thoughts about working with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis again?
A: I love those guys. It would be fun to work with them again at some point.
Read the extensive interview in its entirety here.
Fans of the ‘Rhythm Nation’ singer know that Minneapolis has played a special role in her career, maybe that would explain the (usually very private) singer’s openness in this interview. Great read.
When she says she is singing live she means she is singing whilst being alive because there IS NOTHING live about her vocals on stage.
I LOVE JANET ICON
UMMM JANET WAS NEVER UNDER FIRE FOR LIP SYNCHING. LOL
SHE MAINLY SINGS WITH THE TRACK! UNLIKE SOME PEOPLE!
ANYWAYS! GET OVER IT! DID YOU NOT ENJOY THE CONCERT IN LONDON ? HAHAHA
HATERS COMING TO HATE ON JANHOVA IN
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YES QUEEN JANET BETTER SERVE THE HOT PIPING TEA!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiRS0g6CLaU&feature=feedlik <<< LIL KIM DANCING TO MICHAEL JACKSON!!!!!
Janet dont Lip sync….dumb b**** ass critics
She does. We all know.
Queen Janet needs to release some new material.
Those of you who think Janet DOESN’T lipsync are seriously delusional. And I’m not hating on Janet. It’s just a fact. I have no doubt that she can sing. She just chooses not to do it live a good amount of the time. I do have to say though that I would respect her a bit more if she was honest about it (and the whole Super Bowl incident). She could at least say that because of the dancing, it necessary to rely on pre-recorded vocals from time to time. At least be somewhat honest and real about it.
@Miles
Proof, boo boo?
I love Janet, ….see makes me smile. She truly seem like one of the humble/ genuine artists left out there. I think Janet is one of the artists that the Beyonce’s, the Katy Perry’s, the Lady Gaga’s, that should be given thanks too for help pathe the way for them.
Janet deserves and gets my mad respect. I can’t wait for new Janet music. “)
They all thank Madonna tho 😉
Love, love , love Ms. Jackson! I didn’t need confirmation on the lip-synching question. I’ve been to this 3 shows on the current tour and she was all live.
Even the critics have written that. But, haters are gonna hate, it is what it is. Don’t matter, when you see this b****, you still know, your looking @ royalty and an ICON!!
PS: Thanks “TWITTER.COM/ESSENCE_OF_SEAN”, for your comment. I liked it best.
Now y’all know I’m a Janet Stan based off my username but is she being serious?! I really Laughed out loud! Anyways excited she is recording & ready to produce a film!
I recently saw Janet live earlier this month when she came to New Jersey with this tour. Not only was she singing live but she was moving spirits in that audience (with her voice & iconic dance moves and grooves). It was my first Janet Jackson concert and I have loved her since I was an infant. I love her so much my family calls me Ms. Jackson when I get in my sassy moods (lol). I personally live for Janet’s voice. She has one of the sexiest voices the industry has ever heard. People tend to think because you do not shout and scream and belt out every song, you for some reason cannot sing. For some people, that is just what they like. For me, I prefer a voice that can take me places with its harmonies (Janet has THE BEST harmonies…HANDS DOWN) and built around songs with great messages. It’s a rare voice. No one sounds like Janet and that’s why she is who she is.
The whole lip synching thing started when people would see her do such intense, intricate, hard choreography and see her singing and say, “There’s NO WAY she’s singing live and dancing that hard and on beat…NO WAY.” What people don’t realize is that, she’s Janet Damita Jo JACKSON, the one and ONLY! The only female entertainer that can do the type of dancing she does AND sound great in her style of singing. I remember even thinking it as a child, like wait, Janet are you singing? LOL But when I saw her live, no question about it. It is what makes her special…what separates her from the rest IMO. While Janet makes no secret about putting on a backtrack…especially for TV performances, when she does a tour and people are paying their money to see her, SHE IS LIVE…not only ALIVE, but LIVE with the vocals and the dancing. So you all will deal….#BOOM!
@ miles
No one is claiming Janet never has lip-synced! The point is that on this tour she is not. There is a backtrack(like everyone has in concert), but live vocals from her mic and the backup singers.
You can believe what you want, but for someone who hasn’t been to her latest concerts, your opinion is not based on facts.
I’ve been to enough concerts to know what live, and lipped performance differences……
MMMM……… !!!
Some of you do not read. The question wasnt “Janet do you lip synch all the time?”
The question was: “Is your singing live on this tour?”
Reading comprehension clearly is not your strong point if you didn’t see that differentiation. LOL Like, really!
And YESSSS for Janet with the production of her 1st movie, but I want a new Janet album ASAP, but take ur time sweetie.
WHO CARES IF SHE LIP SYNCS? SHE IS A PERFORMANCE ARTIST, NOT A VOCALIST. PEOPLE ALWAYS TRY TO A MADONNA IS WHO ALL THESES LESSER GIRLS GET THE INSPIRATION FROM BUT IVE ALWAYS LOOKED AT GIRLS LIKE BRITNEY MORE LIKE JANET…RHIANNA IS MORE MADONNA-ISH, LESS DANCING AND MORE SENSUAL MOVEMENTS AND SUCH.. BUT CHRISTINA, BRITNEY AND THE REST CLEARY GIVE MORE OF A JANET TYPE LANE. JANET IS THE QUEEN OF POP
I went to see her in Philly and she was nothing short of amazing. It wasshe was LIVE and energetic. Love Janet n can’t wait for her next album.
iSeen her live twice! and she was AMAZING!!! JANET is more than just a pretty face and Jackson sister, she is a Humanitarian, A Entertainer, A Advocate for Blacks, Gays, And Young Ppl. The woman is BAD!!! ASSS! iRESPECT PAST MUSICIANS WHO ARE STILLLL DOING IT AND SHITTING, How MANY Can we say the same for? …*crickets* My Point LOL Another thing under your belt film PRODUCER! Yes MISS JACKSON U BETTER GET IT!!!! ^_^ HATERZ STAY MAD, YOUR BTCH COULD NEVER PHUCK WIT MINE! 30YEARS ALMOST IN THE BUSINESS SOLO! AND STILL ROCKIN HARD 35 NUMBER 1 HITS, When will ur fave ever? not to mention the movies, the fact your faves immulate my favem so sit ur bashing asses down cause ur btch is new to this, mine been doin it before urs was even born. #POW! LOL
this interview made me like her now !
i never liked her ! but after that interview i think i will give her a shot 🙂 !
Go Janet !
@sam : i know this is a bad news for you ! but i really started to like her !
Could care less if she’s singing live. LOVE Jan.
Ofcourse Janet lip syncs but not on TOUR. Big difference haters!
Janet is a bad ish and she is a great performer. I seen her live 3 times and she is just amazing. My money was not a waste #JanetJackson
Janet rocks. Period.
YOU DAMN PEOPLE BETTER RESPECT JANET DAMITA JO JACKSON! —> Janet Jackson is a performer. I pay her to enertain me and that’s what she did/does/& will continue to always do. She’s second to none & will always be 1st.
You know what, MTV has been showing video clips of past VMA performances and I saw Madonna do Vogue wihtout holding a mic. It’s funny how ppl who actually sing and dance are constantly criticized while the frauds reeceive a pat on the damn back!
LEAVE JANET ALONE!
P.S. JUSTINE TIMBERFAKE EXPOSED HER BREAST so stop playing!!
I’ve seen janet live once, and she def was lip-syncing…but janet is not known for singing. She’s not a great vocalist, so I didn’t care. She entertained the hell out of me. She is one of the greatest entertainers alive.
I dont know about this tour, but no one can deny the force that is janet.
THE QUEEN OF THEM ALL SOME OF YOU BETTER RECOGNIZE AND BOW DOWN!!!!!! JANET BEEN RUNNING THIS GAME SINCE CONTROL SHE IS THE ULTIMATE TREND SETTER DON’T BELIEVE ME THAN CHECK ALL HER CD COVERS SHE SWITCH IT UP SO MUCH AND HAVE ARTIST TODAY TRYING TO REVAMP IT!!! NO NEED TO MENTION ANY NAMES BC WE ALL KNOW WHO THEY ARE!!!!!!! THATS DAMN JANET MS. JACKSON IF YOU NASTY!!!!!!!
AND IF YOU WANT YOUR MONEY’S WORTH HER CONCERT IS WHERE YA’LL ASSES NEED TO GO INSTEAD OF THESE OTHER TOURS THAT HAVE YOU SCRATCHING YOUR HEAD AND SAYING WHY THE F*** I WASTE MY MONEY ON THIS STRIPPER NON SINGING WALKING AROUND STAGE NON ENTERTANING B*TCHES AGAIN NO NEED TO NAME NAMES YOU KNOW WHO THEY ARE!!!!!!!!! LMAO
Guess you all didn’t see the footage from the NJ show before it was mysteriously pulled from EVERYWHERE on the internet and has never returned? Hmm. Well I did. Again, I am a fan of Ms. Janet but I’m not into believing things that aren’t true. It is what it is. And I never said she was lip syncing the entire show but believe that there’s more relying on pre-recorded vocals than some of you want to admit.
YEA, B**** IS SINGING LIVE WITH THE TRACK BUT HER MIC IS OFF, LMAO!! NEW STRATEGY WE CALL THE “LIVE” PLAYBACK. NEXT!!
@ I {heart} music! CO MUTHA F@CKIN SIGN! I have seen Janet Jackson perform live more times than I can count. She definitely sings live. She has a skill that no other artist has. That is why it makes people feel better to say that she lip-syncs because they know it is impossible for them to do what Janet Jackson does. And I hate it when people say that she can’t sing. If you understood what it is to be a vocalist, then you would understand her voice and it’s uniqueness. None of the new artists out today that have the vocal control that Janet Jackson has. And she has serious range. You have to be a real singer with vocal training to understand what I am talking about. Has anyone ever heard Janet hit a bad note? I haven’t. And don’t you dare say because she is lip-synching. Janet Jackson sings live. The only time I ever seen her lip-synch is on shows like Soul Train or Top of the Pops where they request all of the performers do that in order to save money on bands and mikes and things like that. So there!
QUEEN JANET SINGS LIVE AND SINGS BETTER THAN YOUR FAVE EVER COULD BEYOCHES!
I want Janet to do a tour DVD after this tour. The reason people, including myself, assume she lip-syncs is because she is really good at it and her previous tour DVDs had her lip-synching. Janet Live in Hawaii DVD was very obvious. Janet’s Velvet Rope concert was one of her best and some of the show is live and some is lip-synched. During the Velvet Rope era she lip-synched to pre-recorded live vocals. This tour she sings over a backing track and even though some of her fans say she is singing live on the clips from youtube it appears she is singing live with her mic off…aka….lip-syncing. The only way to disprove that is another DVD.
She did lip-synch a couple of times, but that was years ago and she was singing with really hard coreography. And she’s going to record another album!!! Yay.
@Jasmine it was reported that she filmed her tour professionally N London at the Albert Hall.
I could care less if Janet lip-syncs. I would still pay to see her lip-sync and prance her ass ’round the stage. #PutInWork
She is very good performer, and ending with ‘Together Again’ is amazing!
So if you entertain/dance, it’s okay for you to lip-sync? Why the f*** did people call out the amazing singer Kelly Rowland for using pre-recorded vocals at the BET Awards but not this b****? Janet isn’t the queen of anything. She’s overrated and washed up. I don’t like Beyonce, but I respect her for the simple fact that she has grown as a performer and does more than just shake her ass and lace wig now-a-days, and SINGS LIVE AN DOES IT AMAZINGLY! Janet can’t sing for s*** and never could. You must be high on something if you think she sings live. SHE HAS PRE RECORDED VOCALS! Pre recorded vocals make it sound like she’s singing onstage when she isn’t. She’s done this at the f****** VMAS and Grammys for her brother’s tribute. And even if she doesn’t sing live, it doesn’t matter because she still can’t sing. Just because you think she has a nice tone doesn’t mean she can actually sing (has vocal strength). Also, I’m not a fan of Madonna but her f****** ass sings live as well! What is it with this lazy ass musicians?
i am a stan but i must admit her answer meant ‘i am singing live [1% of the time]’
@ Jasmine DVD’s prove nothing about live singing, audio swaps can easily be done and have been in the past to make the vocals sound more polished. All of Janet’s tours have a good balance of
… Live singing including the All For You tour in Live In Hawaii, you can find other performances from the tour when the vocals are completely different to the ones seen on the DVD. Most of the time she uses the hand held mic she is singing live.
Sounds pretty d@mn live to me http://youtu.be/bTVAmpbs774
Apparently, ppl haven’t seen this video. If you can’t tell that Janet is singing live in this video and dancing her b*** off at the same time, then u just clearly don’t like her and that’s really anyone’s real reason for attacking her. It’s obvious in this video that Janet is singing and belting these words out of her mouth in this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qmVVQDA74Y&feature=fvsr
Let me first say I am a huge huge Janet fan and have been for many many years, Ive been to two of her concerts and most recentley I saw her on her Number Ones Tour. But what you guys have to realize and if you dont believe me you can watch the videos on youtube… everytime janet does a new tour, she picks her setlist and goes into the studio to record the new vocals for the tracks, so when you see a new tour pop up you are hearing a new janet because she recentley recorded those vocals. When she did the rockwitchu tour she (as she did with tours before) she went into the studio and recorded the new setlist. The Rockwitchu tour only had 16 shows, so this number ones tour still uses the rock witchu tour vocals that she recorded. Every single song in this number ones tour is pre-recorded to sound live, as she goes on her tour. I’ll give her the benefit of the doubt and say that she possinley sings the slower songs. But there is no way, when she has the headset mic on that she is singing one note. Dont believe me? GO ON YOUTUBE and check out If from Toronto, then If from Barcelona its the SAME VOCALS IT DOESNT MATTER WHAT CITY, every song uses the same vocals, the same ‘Ows” and the “oos’ and ‘one-hundered DIFFERENT wayyyys” in the song if, and the everything it is NOT LIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love Janet to death but I am not that stupid, honestly. But I will give it up to her that she does a great job at playing that part and she lip syncs very well. Even when she does scream on this tour, compare it to the 2009 vma it is THE SAME TRACK with the same riffs and note arrangment in every single city… if she was singing it you would think that city to city it would sound a bit different but no its identical look on youtube. And even when she talks (cause her headset mic is on) she will say “come on!!!” or whatever in such a raspy voice 2 seconds later shes singing perfectley with clear crispy sound its NOT LIVE, im sorry. Still dont believe me check it out on Youtube and compare the cities to see if they sound different they dont there the same tracks being played again and again.
She needa tell the truth. “Live” as she sings along to her own pre-recordings. Watch her. She’s definitely not always singing. She never changes up the notes. It’s almost always exact. No hate, I love her. She needs to dance so it is easier if she’s lip syncing sometimes.