Sky has today revealed a trailer for highly anticipated documentary Janet Jackson. The four-part documentary, produced by Workerbee (a Banijay UK company) and co-produced by AEC (Associated Entertainment Corporation), explores in her own words the life story of icon Janet Jackson, and is set to premiere on Sky Documentaries as two double bills over consecutive nights, with all four episodes available on NOW from Monday 31 January. As we celebrate the 40th anniversary of her very first album, this will be the definitive story on Janet Jackson, one of the best-selling and highest-earning artists in music history. Janet has enjoyed immense success but also seen incredible tragedy. She has endured a tumultuous private life in the face of extraordinary public scrutiny. With no stone left unturned, Janet Jackson lifts the lid on her private life for the very first time and reveals the most intimate moments of the star ever caught on camera.
The two-night, four-hour documentary event joins Janet as she travels back to her hometown of Gary, Indiana to see where her incredible journey began. She starts to look back at her own life and reflect on her fight to the top. Speaking like never before, Janet discusses everything including her Superbowl appearance with Justin Timberlake in 2004, the controversy surrounding her brother Michael Jackson, and becoming a mother later in life.
This is Janet's life story in her own words, with five years of access to Janet herself alongside interviews with her nearest and dearest: siblings, friends, business partners, peers, and journalists. Contributors include Randy Jackson, Tito Jackson, Rebbie Jackson, Rev. Al Sharpton, Johnny Gill (Janet's Friend), Debbie Allen (Actress, co-star on Fame and friend), Paula Abdul (Choreographer), Missy Elliot, Mariah Carey, Wende Watt (Neighbour), David Ritz (biographer), Gerrick Kennedy (Journalist), Regina King (co-star and friend), Ciara, Teyana Taylor, Whoopi Goldberg, and Tina Landon (Janet's creative director).
The documentary covers the difficult themes of family relationships, drug addiction, race relations, sexuality, the Jacksons' rags to riches journey, all illustrated with incredible archive footage from throughout Janet's rich and storied career.
Rick Murray, Executive Producer for Workerbee, said: The project has taken five years to come to fruition, but it's been worth the wait as we gained unprecedented access to a global icon. We're delighted to be working with Sky Documentaries on this again as our UK partner.
Benjamin Hirsch, Director, added: The project started life as a behind-the-scenes tour film, but as Janet, who is a notoriously private person, started to open up we soon realised that there was a much bigger story to tell. To get the opportunity to tell her story and delve through never-before-seen personal archives has been fascinating.
Janet Jackson is produced for Lifetime and A&E by Workerbee (a Banijay UK company) and co-produced by AEC (Associated Entertainment Corporation). Executive Producer for Workerbee is Rick Murray (Idris Elba: Fighter, The Bridge) in addition to Academy Award-winning director, Kevin MacDonald (Whitney, The Last King of Scotland). Benjamin Hirsch (Bruno V Tyson, The Bridge) serves as Director. Brie Miranda Bryant serves as executive producer for A+E Networks. Janet Jackson and Randy Jackson serve as Executive Producers. The deal was negotiated by Jack Oliver, Head of Co-Productions, Sky Entertainment. Banijay Rights leads on international distribution for the documentary.
Janet Jackson is coming to Sky Documentaries and streaming service NOW Monday 31 January.
Media Contacts
Sneh Rupra, Premier - Sneh.Rupra@premiercomms.com
Jerridah Akena, Premier - Jerridah.Akena@premiercomms.com
About Janet Jackson
Janet Jackson is one of the most influential entertainers of the modern era. Her music has won her 5 GRAMMY Awards, 2 Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, a nomination for an Academy Award along with dozens of American Music Awards, MTV Video Music Awards and Billboard Music Awards. She has received accolades as an actress as well including the NAACP Best Supporting Actor award. Janet is a published author, dancer, businessperson, philanthropist and one of biggest-selling artists in popular music history. With sales of over 180 million records worldwide, Janet Jackson stands as one of the best-selling artists of all time with a string of hits that have left an indelible impression on pop culture. She is the record holder for the biggest selling debut tour in history and is the first woman to debut in the Top 10 of the Hot 100 charts. She also stands as one of only four artists to have a #1 album for four successive decades alongside Barbra Streisand, Bruce Springsteen and U2. Even today she continues to make an undeniable impact. In 2018, her single, Made for Now with Daddy Yankee, released by her own Rhythm Nation Records, hit #1 on the Dance Clubs Songs chart making it her 20th single on the chart in the span of her career. In 2019, she was inducted the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame alongside her brothers and in that same year her critically acclaimed Las Vegas residency, Metamorphosis closed out to record breaking ticket sales with only 18 dates at the Park MGMs Park Theater. As reported by Billboard Boxscore, the legendary singer, dancer, songwriter, producer, and actress is among the biggest Vegas performers of this decade, ahead of Celine Dion (2011), Britney Spears (2013) and the Backstreet Boys (2017).
About Sky
Sky is Europe's leading media and entertainment company and is proud to be part of Comcast Corporation, a global media and technology company that connects people to moments that matter. Across six countries, Sky connects 23 million customers to the best entertainment, sports, news, arts and to our own award
