Final Goodbyes | Michael & Janet Jackson
As Janet and the rest of the Jackson family faced a new reality after the legal dramas relating to Michael’s trial and eventual acquittal, Janet continued on with her musical career, releasing ’20 Y.O.’ in 2006. However, questions concerning Michael, his current whereabouts and plans for a musical comeback were never too far. Janet remained supportive and wasn’t shy about reminding interviewers of her brother’s incredible talent. Pre-empting the immense public scrutiny that Michael would be subjected to if he was to perform or release music again, having seen how emotionally fragile he had become, Janet was openly encouraging of her brothers reuniting again for a new album or tour. In hopes that the same family support system that got Michael through the dark days of the trial, could also be enlisted to protect, and guide Michael if he ever chose to re-enter public life again.
But in March 2009, Michael Jackson announced plans to perform a solo concert residency at London’s O2 arena. Initially, only 10 concerts were scheduled, but following public demand, 40 more were added, and preparations began.
However, on June 25th, 2009, Janet received a call at her New York residence from her assistant, informing her that Michael had collapsed and was rushed to UCLA Medical Centre. Janet then frantically called everyone in her family, speaking to her mother, sister La Toya and brother Tito as they were making their way to the hospital. Not knowing the severity of Michael’s condition, Janet waited to hear back as she watched her brother’s medical drama ensue on the news. Upon hearing that her older brother, Michael, had infact passed away, Janet couldn’t quite believe the surreal set of circumstances, as she became a spectator to the World’s outpouring of grief. Overwhelmed by the immense mourning that ensued for the musical icon that was her brother, Janet found it difficult to separate that from the sorrow she also felt personally having lost a close family member.
Just a few days later, Janet arrived in California and gathered with the rest of the family at the Jackson compound in Encino, where they are contemplated funeral arrangements and cared for his three children. Feeling like she wasn’t able to grieve like other members of her family, Janet stayed strong for the rest of her family. The following day, Janet was enlisted by the rest of the family to appear on stage at the BET awards and pay tribute to Michael. In her first public appearance since her brother’s death, Janet memorialized him as her beloved sibling, eliciting tears as she vowed his memory would live forever. “To you, Michael is an icon,” said Janet, “to us, Michael is family, and he will forever live in all of our hearts”.
Just days later at Michael Jackson’s televised memorial service, Janet stood as a pillar of support for the rest of her family. Embracing Michael’s 11-year-old daughter, Paris, after her deeply emotional moment paying tribute to her beloved father. Nekesamumbi Moody from the Associated Press commenting that Paris’s outpouring of grief was “the most profound part of a memorial that accomplished what Jackson could not in life: humanizing a man who for so long had seemed like a caricature”.
After the overwhelming news and initial days of grief had passed, Janet began to organise a fitting tribute for her late brother, agreeing to perform at that year’s MTV Video Music Awards. Jackson opened the show at Radio City Music Hall in New York, performing for the first-time live-in front of an audience her and Michael’s only musical collaboration, ‘Scream’. Janet as well as her army of backing dancers, donned monochrome costumes befitting the single’s iconic music video and executed a lavishly choregraphed dance routine. As a final showstopping move, Janet then proceeded to perform with Michael, as he appeared on the screen behind her, the videos dance segment in perfect unison. The performance ending with such strength and vigor as to solidify the King of Pop’s unmatched musical legacy, as well as Janet’s enduring love, admiration and deep rooted connection to the man and magic that was her brother… Michael Jackson