Janet Jackson poses for her “Dream Street” album cover in 1984. Harry Langdon/Getty Images
Janet Jackson onstage at the 1977 American Music Awards BC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images
Even at 10 years old, Janet Jackson was a force to be reckoned with.
In a YouTube video posted by an account named Moonwalker, Michael Jackson invited his younger sister onstage at the 1977 American Music Awards as part of a brief comedy bit while co-presenting alongside Fred Allen Berry and Lola Falana.
On her brother’s cue, Jackson strutted onto the stage in a bright yellow and pink gown with bedazzled accents weaving across the front. The dress and matching hat also featured layers of tulle that added a textured dimension to the look.
Although Jackson wasn’t given any lines, the laughter and clapping from the crowd showed that she stole the show.
Janet Jackson joined the cast of “Good Times” in 1977. CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images
Jackson’s first major Hollywood role was in 1977 when she was cast to play Millicent “Penny” Gordon on the beloved sitcom “Good Times.”
Jackson’s attire on the show mimicked the bold color palette prevalent throughout the 1970s, including in this portrait photo of the cast. Her dress, paired with knee-high socks and a matching bow, was definitely in step with the style of the time.
In 2012, Jackson told Anderson Cooper that a “Good Times” wardrobe staffer suggested she bind her chest and a producer once said she was “too heavy.”
“I was getting dressed for the very first episode — now this is my first time away from my family,” Jackson said. “The wardrobe lady, while she was dressing me, said I had to put bandages around [my] chest.”
“I immediately thought, as I am isn’t good enough,” she said.
Janet Jackson’s music video for “Pleasure Principle” was released in 1986. YouTube/Janet Jackson
Jackson began to show different layers to her style repertoire in 1986 with her smash album, “Control.”
The music video for “Pleasure Principle,” which won best choreography at the 1988 MTV Video Music Awards, featured Jackson dancing around an empty loft in a black T-shirt and black jeans that were cinched at the waist with a belt.
While Jackson’s ensemble is simple, the attire alongside the song’s catchy lyrics and choreography have cemented the project in music history.
Janet Jackson wore a variation of her “Rhythm Nation” ensemble to receive a Hollywood Walk of Fame Star in April 1990. Ron Galella, Ltd./Getty Images
By 1989, Jackson had officially forged a successful path outside of her brothers’ accomplishments. The release of her fourth studio album, “Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation 1814,” catapulted her straight to the top.
While the song received many accolades, it’s her military-style uniform featured in the “Rhythm Nation” music video that’s continued to transcend decades. The outfit included a cropped black jacket with 80s-style shoulder pads, silver buckles, a leather collar, and black pants paired with matching boots.
Jackson finished the look off with a ponytail and a black baseball cap that had the phrase “1814.”
Other artists have paid homage to Jackson’s outfit, including in 2014 when Beyonće, and her daughter Blue Ivy, channeled Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson for Halloween. Actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt also mimicked the outfit in 2015 when he performed on Paramount Network’s TV series “Lip Sync Battle.”
Janet Jackson starred alongside rapper Tupac Shakur in the 1993 film, “Poetic Justice.” Ron Galella, Ltd./Getty Images
Jackson’s iconic box braids became a staple of her style in the early 1990s. Around that time, Jackson filmed and starred in the 1993 film “Poetic Justice” directed by the late John Singleton, alongside rapper Tupac Shakur, and Regina King. The movie also featured poetry by Maya Angelou.
In the film, Jackson sported a black, long-sleeve shirt with a square neckline and a pair of light-wash jeans cinched with a belt. Her box braids were topped off with a black newsboy hat.
Tanisha Ford, author of “Dressed in Dreams” and associate professor of Africana Studies and History at the University of Delaware, spoke to HelloBeautiful in 2019 about the significance of Jackson’s box braids for Black people.
“When I think box braids, I think Janet Jackson’s character in poetic justice,” Ford told the outlet. “Box Braids have always been a part of the culture from as long as I can remember, some version of them … but when Janet Jackson wore them, it elevated those braids to a certain level of like Black girl glam that is still felt every day and around the way in ways that we all wanted them.”
Janet Jackson at the 35th Annual Grammy Awards. Kevin Mazur/WireImage
While still rocking the “Poetic Justice” box braids, Jackson attended the 35th Annual Grammy Awards that same year in a captivating all-white, double-breasted pantsuit.
She elevated the look by also wearing silver jewelry and a white headscarf to style her braids in a flowing updo.
Janet Jackson wore all-black in her and Michael Jackson’s 1995 music video, “Scream.” YouTube/Janet Jackson
In 1995, Jackson and her brother, Michael, attempted to dominate the music industry with their single, “Scream.” Jackson garnered attention for her shaggy tresses and dark makeup in the music video.
The two wore matching black textured long sleeve shirts and black leather pants.
Rolling Stone reported that the clothes fetched $125,000 as part of the “Iconic Treasures From the legendary Career and Life of Janet Jackson” sale with Julien’s Auctions in 2011.
Janet Jackson wore this outfit while performing in 1997 at the Smash Hits Poll Winners’ Party at the London Arena. Sean Dempsey – PA Images/Getty Images
Around the time she released her sixth studio album, “The Velvet Rope,” Jackson’s style did a 180° turn when she dyed her naturally dark hair orange. While performing at the Smash Hits Poll Winners’ Party at the London Arena, she styled her hair in a series of smaller ponytails to highlight the new color.
Jackson also donned a punk rock-inspired fit created out of what appears to be a sheer black top, a cut-up red bustier with small strings of jewelry hanging across the front, dark cargo pants, and chunky boots.
The outfit was completed with a large gold necklace that acted as a pseudo collar.
Janet Jackson performed on “The Velvet Rope Tour” from 1998 to 1999. Phil Dent/Getty Images
“The Velvet Rope Tour” lasted from 1998 to 1999 and visited audiences across the globe.
Jackson kept her fierce persona going by wearing a cropped double-breasted jacket with prominent sleeve cuffs, a striped waistcoat peeking out from underneath, and wide-leg pants.
Her dark bangs featured glimpses of red as a possible nod to her previous dye job.
Janet Jackson at the MTV Movie Awards in 2000. Frank Trapper/Corbis via Getty Images
Keanu Reeve’s performance as Neo in the 1999 film “The Matrix” was a pop-cultural phenomenon, so it’s no surprise celebrities dove into the futuristic, post-apocalyptic aesthetic that transfixed Hollywood at the time.
Jackson’s red carpet outfit at the 2000 MTV Movie Awards may have been a small homage, as she wore a floor-length leather gown topped with a leather trench coat.
During the event, Jackson presented Keanu Reeves with an award for best male performance for his work in the film.
Janet Jackson at “MTV Icon: Janet Jackson” in 2001. Kevin Mazur/WireImage)
By 2001, Jackson had been in the entertainment industry for more than 20 years, prompting MTV to pay tribute to the international superstar. According to IMDb, Jackson was the inaugural “MTV Icon” honored at the network.
Jackson was escorted onstage by André 3000 and Big Boi of Outkast while they sang a “Ms. Jackson” rendition of their hit song for the crowd. Jackson donned a shiny gold crop top and suede wide-leg pants adorned with flower designs and fringe.
The event included several stars who covered Jackson’s classics, including Destiny’s Child, *NSYNC, Pink, Usher, and Mya.
Jackson Jackson performed with Justin Timberlake at the Super Bowl XXXVIII Halftime Show. Frank Micelotta/Getty Images
In 2004, Jackson performed alongside a number of artists — including P. Diddy and Nelly — at the Super Bowl XXXVIII Halftime Show, which became one of the most infamous Super Bowl performances to date.
When it came time to perform “Rhythm Nation,” Jackson appeared onstage in a black bustier decorated with small metal pieces woven throughout the fabric, wide pants, and boots. The ensemble was elevated with pops of red across Jackson’s chest and on her fingernails.
At one point during the “Rock Your Body” duet with Justin Timberlake, he accidentally tore Jackson’s costume, which bared her breast on live TV. Jackson, Timberlake, and MTV all released statements following the incident.
Insider’s Kim Renfro previously reported on how the incident changed the trajectory of Jackson’s career following the backlash.
Janet Jackson at an Alexander McQueen store opening in 2008. Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Alexander McQueen
Jackson appeared in a Kimono-style dress with a pink to purple ombré transition at the boutique opening.
Jackson later paid tribute to McQueen with her outfit at the “Why Did I Get Married Too” premiere red carpet in March 2010. He died by suicide in February of that year.
“[McQueen was the] very first fashion show I ever went to. He invited me to his show in the late 1990s in London. I’ve always been a fan of his,” Jackson said, People reported. “True genius, and I’m not using the word loosely at all.”
Janet Jackson performed a tribute to Michael Jackson just three months after his death. Christopher Polk/Getty Images
Michael Jackson died on June 25, 2009, at his Holmby Hills home in Los Angeles. Three months later, the MTV Music Video awards paid homage to him with a tribute show that showcased his most iconic songs.
About halfway through the performance, Jackson appeared onstage to do a rendition of “Scream.” Jackson donned what looked to be a black and white leather top with large shoulder pads, metal accents, and pants.
Jackson’s outfit resembled her Super Bowl costume with the extra leather fabric placed overtop the pants.
Janet Jackson attended the Halloween Extravaganza at Lanvin Boutique in October 2010. Neilson Barnard/Getty Images
Jackson played with gender norms in fashion when she arrived at Halloween Extravaganza at Lanvin Boutique that year. She wore a white button-up shirt underneath a shin-length black dress and heels.
The costume took on a whimsical feel with her added bow tie, bedazzled fedora, fake mustache, and willowy cape.
Janet Jackson promoting her book “True You: A Guide To Finding And Loving Yourself” at Barnes & Noble in 2011. Charles Eshelman/FilmMagic
In 2011, Jackson was photographed promoting her new book in an asymmetrical black jacket with firm 80s shoulder pads, a multicolored scarf for a pop of flavor, black leather pants, and Christian Louboutin heels.
Janet Jackson wore Christian Siriano to the Black Girls Rock! event. Gilbert Carrasquillo/Getty Images
Jackson looked absolutely gorgeous when she walked across the Black Girls Rock! Awards show red carpet.
She wore a dark blue ball gown adorned with black floral patterns and a sheer top to show some skin in a daring display. The dress featured a spiked body harness, and Jackson elevated her look by wearing her hair in a stretched top knot.
Vogue reported that Christian Siriano designed the gown.
Janet Jackson wore a variation of her “Rhythm Nation” ensemble to receive a Hollywood Walk of Fame Star in April 1990. Ron Galella, Ltd./Getty Images
By 1989, Jackson had officially forged a successful path outside of her brothers’ accomplishments. The release of her fourth studio album, “Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation 1814,” catapulted her straight to the top.
While the song received many accolades, it’s her military-style uniform featured in the “Rhythm Nation” music video that’s continued to transcend decades. The outfit included a cropped black jacket with 80s-style shoulder pads, silver buckles, a leather collar, and black pants paired with matching boots.
Jackson finished the look off with a ponytail and a black baseball cap that had the phrase “1814.”
Other artists have paid homage to Jackson’s outfit, including in 2014 when Beyonće, and her daughter Blue Ivy, channeled Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson for Halloween. Actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt also mimicked the outfit in 2015 when he performed on Paramount Network’s TV series “Lip Sync Battle.”
