Returning after a three-year hiatus, Elite festival, also known as the biggest cultural event for Black women, is returning to New Orleans with an exciting team of performers. Among them, Janet Jackson is expected to appear as the headliner on July 2. The pop icon shared her excitement in a Videos on Instagram, showing her and her dance crew in action during a rehearsal. In the post, the “Rhythm Nation” singer is seen pulling her legs into a heel stretch while her back-up dancers practice some of her left-side steps. “Try to stretch properly before these sessions,” she captioned the post.
Jackson was scheduled for the 2020 Essence Festival, which has been cancelled, so this year’s show is highly anticipated. Her illustrious career has earned her five Grammy Awards, 160 million albums sold worldwide, 10 number-one singles and a permanent place in our collective memory. She’s inspired not only with her anthems like “Rhythm Nation,” “That’s the Way Love Goes,” and “All For You,” but also with her trend-setting style (which makes stars like her. Kim Kardashian to accentuate her storied look, Iconic “If” costume) as well as her unwavering commitment to activism. The music industry simply wouldn’t be the same without Jackson’s contribution.
For all the borderline looks she’s served throughout the 80s, 90s, 2000s and even today, confidence hasn’t always come easily to her. As she revealed in her recent documentary, her body image problems were exacerbated by her siblings. “I mean, you have people say you’re too heavy,” she said. “Even when it’s out of love, it affects you.” She tell Allure in an interview that although it was tough at times, she eventually began to cultivate body positivity over time.
Jackson’s extensive portfolio of performances tells the story of a woman who grows more confident with each passing year. Her style in the ’90s was defined by Y2K and military-inspired sensuality, seen in crop tops, deep necklines, edgy suits and loose jeans. baggy. And she’s still a stylish muse today. In honor of her return to the Elite Festival, let’s take a look back at some of her best performances.
