It looks as if Janet Jackson's wardrobe-malfunction-induced exile from music's top tier is finally lifting.
It's about time.
She had a successful run that exploded with her album "Control" in 1986, and "All for You" (2001) carried her into the 2000s.
But midway through the decade, things went into a tailspin for Michael Jackson's youngest sister.
Unless you've been in Rip Van Winkle mode, you remember her Super Bowl halftime show in 2004 - perhaps the most talked-about halftime show ever.
The FCC threw a record $550,000 fine at CBS, which aired the game. An apologetic Jackson, who absorbed the blame while Justin Timberlake walked away clean, was the subject of punch lines for years.
And seemingly simultaneously, the big hits stopped coming.
"Damita Jo," released a few months after the Super Bowl, managed to sell a million copies, but it was her lowest-selling album in years.
Then there were the disappointing sales of follow-up albums "20 Y.O." (2006) and "Discipline" (2008), which failed to produce the hit singles that previously had streamed from her albums.
Meanwhile, Jackson returned to one of her earliest loves, acting. She headlined movies "Why Did I Get Married?" (2007), "Why Did I Get Married Too?" (2010) and "For Colored Girls" (2010).
None were critically acclaimed, but they've led to yet another phase of her career. Last month, Lionsgate, which produced the "Why Did I Get Married?" films, announced it was partnering with Jackson to produce films.
She also has ventured into publishing. Her new book, "True You: A Journey to Finding and Loving Yourself," is a New York Times best-seller.
Jackson's music is showing new signs of life, too. A surprise appearance on "American Idol" last year, where she performed her ballad "Nothing," proved there's still a lot of love out there for her.
And her latest album, a double-disc greatest-hits compilation, "Number Ones," released five months after brother Michael's death, paved the way for her new "Up Close and Personal" tour, which skips the arenas and flashy shows in favor of smaller venues.
Touring smaller is paying off big. She's been building some great buzz as shows are selling out, leading to multiple dates in some cities.
It looks as if she's on her way back - in more ways than one.
Take that, wardrobe malfunction.
Jackson has always come off a little interview-shy, so it was no surprise when she would only agree to an email interview to talk about her tour.
Q: Why did you decide to do an "Up Close and Personal" tour for the first time, and why now?
A: I was doing a private date at Radio City Music Hall last year. It was so much fun. I could see everyone in the audience, and all I could think about during the show was this is what I wanted to do for my next tour.
Q: How does it compare to the arena tours your fans are used to?
A: The arena tours are fun, but this tour is not about pyrotechnics or other production elements that I have used in my arena tours. This is a much more intimate show. It's just about me and the audience. It is a thank-you for all the fans who have supported me all these years.
Q: How did the show change as it moved from overseas to the United States?
A: I am doing something a little different at all the shows. One of the bigger changes is that we made a few costume changes.
Q: Were any songs deleted or added?
A: I am only performing songs that have been No. 1s for me. I have made some changes, but that keeps me pretty set on the song choices.
Q: How did you go about deciding which No. 1s to include?
A: Well, I wish I could sing them all, but we would be there all night - not that I would mind. I try to tell a story in each section of the show, and that helps me decide what songs I put in.
Q: What's your favorite No. 1?
A: I really can't answer that question. It is kind of like asking which child is your favorite. They are so personal to me.
Q: Which No. 1 do you consider most personal?
A: When I create my music, it is inspired by what is going on in my life. Each song reminds me of a special moment that I have lived.
Q: How does it feel performing "Scream" in concert, and what do you remember most about recording the song and filming the video with your brother Michael?
A: I love singing "Scream." I remember that, no matter what, I always had my brother's back. There is not a day that goes by that I don't think of Mike. I miss him very much.
Q: How do you work (new songs) "Make Me" and "Nothing" into the show, and what went into the decision to include them?
A: They are my most recent No. 1 songs, so I couldn't imagine doing the show without them.
Q: Are you working on new music, and what direction do you see yourself heading?
A: I have never been great at multitasking. I am working on that now. I have had a lot of fun returning to my first love, acting. I wrote a book, "True You," that is a No. 1 New York Times best seller. Now I am on my tour.
I am not sure when I will get back into the studio, but it will be later this year. I have some ideas about the direction, but I will need to see what I am feeling when I am in the studio.
It's about time.
She had a successful run that exploded with her album "Control" in 1986, and "All for You" (2001) carried her into the 2000s.
But midway through the decade, things went into a tailspin for Michael Jackson's youngest sister.
Unless you've been in Rip Van Winkle mode, you remember her Super Bowl halftime show in 2004 - perhaps the most talked-about halftime show ever.
The FCC threw a record $550,000 fine at CBS, which aired the game. An apologetic Jackson, who absorbed the blame while Justin Timberlake walked away clean, was the subject of punch lines for years.
And seemingly simultaneously, the big hits stopped coming.
"Damita Jo," released a few months after the Super Bowl, managed to sell a million copies, but it was her lowest-selling album in years.
Then there were the disappointing sales of follow-up albums "20 Y.O." (2006) and "Discipline" (2008), which failed to produce the hit singles that previously had streamed from her albums.
Meanwhile, Jackson returned to one of her earliest loves, acting. She headlined movies "Why Did I Get Married?" (2007), "Why Did I Get Married Too?" (2010) and "For Colored Girls" (2010).
None were critically acclaimed, but they've led to yet another phase of her career. Last month, Lionsgate, which produced the "Why Did I Get Married?" films, announced it was partnering with Jackson to produce films.
She also has ventured into publishing. Her new book, "True You: A Journey to Finding and Loving Yourself," is a New York Times best-seller.
Jackson's music is showing new signs of life, too. A surprise appearance on "American Idol" last year, where she performed her ballad "Nothing," proved there's still a lot of love out there for her.
And her latest album, a double-disc greatest-hits compilation, "Number Ones," released five months after brother Michael's death, paved the way for her new "Up Close and Personal" tour, which skips the arenas and flashy shows in favor of smaller venues.
Touring smaller is paying off big. She's been building some great buzz as shows are selling out, leading to multiple dates in some cities.
It looks as if she's on her way back - in more ways than one.
Take that, wardrobe malfunction.
Jackson has always come off a little interview-shy, so it was no surprise when she would only agree to an email interview to talk about her tour.
Q: Why did you decide to do an "Up Close and Personal" tour for the first time, and why now?
A: I was doing a private date at Radio City Music Hall last year. It was so much fun. I could see everyone in the audience, and all I could think about during the show was this is what I wanted to do for my next tour.
Q: How does it compare to the arena tours your fans are used to?
A: The arena tours are fun, but this tour is not about pyrotechnics or other production elements that I have used in my arena tours. This is a much more intimate show. It's just about me and the audience. It is a thank-you for all the fans who have supported me all these years.
Q: How did the show change as it moved from overseas to the United States?
A: I am doing something a little different at all the shows. One of the bigger changes is that we made a few costume changes.
Q: Were any songs deleted or added?
A: I am only performing songs that have been No. 1s for me. I have made some changes, but that keeps me pretty set on the song choices.
Q: How did you go about deciding which No. 1s to include?
A: Well, I wish I could sing them all, but we would be there all night - not that I would mind. I try to tell a story in each section of the show, and that helps me decide what songs I put in.
Q: What's your favorite No. 1?
A: I really can't answer that question. It is kind of like asking which child is your favorite. They are so personal to me.
Q: Which No. 1 do you consider most personal?
A: When I create my music, it is inspired by what is going on in my life. Each song reminds me of a special moment that I have lived.
Q: How does it feel performing "Scream" in concert, and what do you remember most about recording the song and filming the video with your brother Michael?
A: I love singing "Scream." I remember that, no matter what, I always had my brother's back. There is not a day that goes by that I don't think of Mike. I miss him very much.
Q: How do you work (new songs) "Make Me" and "Nothing" into the show, and what went into the decision to include them?
A: They are my most recent No. 1 songs, so I couldn't imagine doing the show without them.
Q: Are you working on new music, and what direction do you see yourself heading?
A: I have never been great at multitasking. I am working on that now. I have had a lot of fun returning to my first love, acting. I wrote a book, "True You," that is a No. 1 New York Times best seller. Now I am on my tour.
I am not sure when I will get back into the studio, but it will be later this year. I have some ideas about the direction, but I will need to see what I am feeling when I am in the studio.
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