as it feels riddled with grief. Jackson learned of her brother
Michael’s death while filming the movie in
Even though Jackson says “Nothing” is not about her
brother, whom she won’t talk about much these days, the song’s
melancholy and emotional grit leads one to wonder. It’s no stretch to
think that Jackson, who’s known for having a particularly strong work
ethic and occasionally losing herself in creative projects during
turbulent times, was channeling the fallout of her personal tragedy
into her music.
Which may be why “Nothing,” her third film song to
date, is resonating so deeply with fans. The song went straight to No.
4 on iTunes when it was released in March. After her appearance on the
finale of “American Idol,” where she performed a medley that included
“Nothing,” the single shot to No. 1. The song is now featured on
Jackson’s album “Icons,” which showcases 11 of her 35 hit singles. It’s
a touching, melodic ballad about truth, trust and relationships.
“Even though it sounds like a sad song, it’s hopeful,” says Jackson, nestled on a couch in a suite at the
“When you really listen to it, it’s really hopeful. I didn’t know if I
wanted to call the song ‘Trust in Me’ or ‘Nothing.’ It’s really about
the characters (in the movie) and pulling as much as I could from each
relationship.”
Fresh off a junket for another, more recent
relaxed. She’s dressed comfortably but still stylishly, with an angular
buzz cut and wearing a sleek, black leather jacket. At 44, she is
perhaps a bit reflective; “Icons,” and especially her earlier 2009
release, the double-disc album “Number Ones,” together collect nearly
all of her 35 hit singles spanning more than two decades, from 1986 to
2010. It’s a musical prism of sense memories for her.
“I never kept a journal — my albums were my
journals,” she says. Still, Jackson has listened to the albums only one
time each. “I don’t normally go back and listen to my music unless I’m
working on a project or it’s a tour. But it made me really smile and
reminisce a great deal, so it was nice.”
There’s more reminiscing, this time tapping into
earlier, childhood memories, in her first book, “True You,” which is
due out on
body issues over the years, the book is Jackson’s attempt to help
readers learn from her experiences. It combines diet and exercise
advice with personal tidbits from her life.
“It’s a self-help book, not an autobiography,” she
says. “There are anecdotes stemming from my childhood until today. It’s
just my stories. I also have stories from fans who have let me in there
as well, so maybe they can relate and know they are not alone.”
As if film junkets and book tours weren’t enough on
her plate, Jackson is also preparing for her biggest world tour yet —
35 cities to celebrate 35 hit singles — and, for the first time, she’ll
be appearing exclusively at smaller, intimate venues chosen by fans who
voted on her website, janetjackson.com. On tour, which is expected to
start in January, Jackson will perform only her No. 1 hits, including
“Nasty,” “Control” and, of course, “Nothing,” which she co-wrote with
“I did a performance in
not that long ago at Radio City (Music Hall), a private performance,
and it was really, really intimate. And I had so much fun,” she says.
“I said, ‘This is it. This would be the way to go. Really be able to be
up close. And to let the fans choose where they want me to go.’ And the
response has been crazy.” Jackson says the votes have been pouring in,
from as far afield as
Next up, time permitting, is a new album to work on
in 2011. “I’ll just have to fit it in while on tour,” she says,
stressing that it will not be looking backward or forward, but in the
moment. “No rush, no deadlines, just create, see what I’m feeling, see
where the music goes,” she says. “I want to see where I am in my life
at that moment.”
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