By Tribune Staff
NASHVILLE, TN — A premiere date was announced Saturday for the two-night, four hour documentary on Janet Jackson. A&E and Lifetime jointly announced that the documentary would debut Jan. 28 at 7 p.m. CT with the first two hours airing. A new, extended trailer was also released Saturday on various social media projects. “It’s just something that needs to be done,” Jackson said about the project in the three-plus minute clip.
“Janet” includes exclusive archival footage, home videos and celebrity interviews — with stars like Missy Elliott, Whoopi Goldberg, Mariah Carey and Ciara, who are all seen talking about the icon in the new trailer. The sneak peek shows Jackson looking back at her childhood and early days as a performer — “There were times when I just didn’t understand where I actually fit in,” she says — and features footage of her as a mother.
The trailer explores Jackson’s personal and professional life, from her relationship with her late father Joe and brother Michael to a moment where her team was approached by Justin Timberlake “about doing the Super Bowl,” which Timberlake was headlining in 2018. At the time, Jackson had taken to social media to shut down rumors that they’d be reuniting on the halftime show stage.
“They build you up, and then once you get there, they’re so quick to tear you down,” her voice narrates, just before a headline is shown about the fallout for Jackson after their controversial 2004 Super Bowl performance that briefly exposed her breast.
Directed by Ben Hirsh and co-produced by Workerbee and Associated Entertainment Corporation, the project has Janet Jackson and Randy Jackson credited as executive producers. Rick Murray is also credited as executive producer for Workerbee, and Brie Miranda Bryant is credited as executive producer for A+E Networks.
