In a behind-the-scenes documentary, due to air tomorrow on MTV, Janet says that her Video Music Awards performance was the most fun she’d ever had putting together a project for television.
She said: “This is the most fun – from my mouth to God’s ears – the most fun I have ever had working on a project for TV.
“It’s a lot of hard work. But I always enjoy myself. I try to enjoy myself, have fun. I enjoyed myself from day one all the way to the end.”
Speaking to MTV during rehearsals for the show, Janet said: “I just wanted to come to rehearsal when I’m supposed to come to rehearsal as if I’m one of the kids. Just let me know when and where, and where I stand, and teach me what what I’m supposed to know. I wanted it to be that for me this time around. I wanted it to be like that this time, even though I got a little more involved than that still, but not to the magnitude that I normally get involved.”
Madonna is quoted in today’s Daily Mirror as saying she thought Janet’s tribute to brother Michael at this year’s VMAs was “amazing”.
“I can now say I have paid my respects to Michael. That’s why I’m here – to say good-bye,” said Madonna. “And Janet’s performance was amazing – just the perfect tribute to her brother.”
The paper also reports that following the performance, Janet left Radio City immediately and had dinner with Madonna at Butter in New York as the awards continued.
The paper reports that the pair were also seen hugging one another backstage as well as overheard talking about possibly working together in the future.
Choreographer and dancer Brian Friedman has posted photos from backstage at this year’s Michael Jackson tribute at the MTV Video Music Awards on his MySpace.
Producer Rodney Jerkins confirmed in an interview on the MTV VMA red carpet that he has produced Janet’s latest release, “Make Me”.
He said: “It’s about dancing. It’s all about her. It’s about [saying], ‘Listen, if you really want to get with me, you gotta make me feel a certain way.’ ”
He added that he’s working more with Janet.
“I’m working heavily with Janet,” Jerkins said, adding that her new album will have a throwback feel. “We’ve been in the studio for the last month. We’ve been getting it in. We’re going back to basics and fundamental sounds of Janet. We’re trying to target her fans [by making] the records that her fans will embrace. A lot of uptempo stuff makes you feel good. There’s so many different colors of Janet. I’m a fan, I’ve always been a fan of Janet. The Rhythm Nation, the Control, the Janet. record … those make you feel a certain way. It’s been fun. I’m excited about it.”
A new Janet track entitled “Make Me” has been released to her official website. Fans subscribed to her official email list were sent a link to the song shortly after her performance on last night’s MTV Video Music Awards.
The song also features a short sample of brother Michael Jackson’s hit “Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough”, with Janet choosing to change the lyrics to “Don’t Stop Til You Get It Up”.
On Janet’s site the song is touted as a gift, so it’s not yet known whether this is an official single that is set to be released or simply a gift for fans as was done previously with the track “Weekend”.
Read the lyrics below:
Intro
I see what you’re doing
Come here
So you think you’re ready?
I just need you to…
Hook
Baby can you move, make me groove,
Show me what you do, make me move,
Baby can you move, make me groove,
Show me what you do, make me move,
Baby make me…
Verse 1
You came here to save the party
Tell me what’s the deal
Gon’ get up and shake your body
C’mon and take me there
Pre Hook
Ain’t nobody else like you
Only you got the moves you do
Ain’t nobody else move like you
Only you got the groves to prove it baby
We’re gonna have a good time
Me and you gon’ get it tonight
Hook
Baby can you move, make me groove,
Show me what you do, make me move,
Baby can you move, make me groove,
Show me what you do, make me move,
Baby make me…
Don’t stop it baby
Don’t stop till you get it up (4x)
Verse 2
I see you against the wall boy
What you waiting for
I want you to take control now
Get up on the floor
Pre Hook
Ain’t nobody else like you
Only you got the moves you do
Ain’t nobody else move like you
Only you got the groves to prove it baby
We’re gonna have a good time
Me and you gon’ get it tonight
Hook
Baby can you move, make me groove,
Show me what you do, make me move,
Baby can you move, make me groove,
Show me what you do, make me move,
Baby make me…
Bridge
It’s getting hot in here
Just how I like
We gon’ dance it up
Until we see the light
If you feel like I feel you can get it tonight
But first you gotta make me say…
Ooooooh…Make me (make me), baby, make me say
Ooooooh…Make me (make me), baby…
Hook
Baby can you move, make me groove,
Show me what you do, make me move,
Baby can you move, make me groove,
Show me what you do, make me move,
Baby make me…(2x)
Outro
Don’t stop it baby
Don’t stop till you get it up (4x)
A new interview and exclusive photos appear in an upcoming book by celebrity photographer Mark Liddell who has worked with Janet for the last 10 years. The book “Exposed- 10 Years in Hollywood” is due out in October 2009 and is raising funds for Womens Domestic Abuse and Suicide Prevention.
Other celebrities featured include of stars he shot including: Halle Berry, Annie Lennox, Sharon Stone, Avril Lavigne, Britney Spears, Meg Ryan, Jenny McCarthy, Melissa Etheridge, Jessica Alba, Keira Knightly, Hilary Swank, Kate Winslett, Cindy Crawford, Jessica Simpson, Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Aniston, Kate Moss, Beyonce, Heath Ledger, James Franco, Pamela Anderson and Paris Hilton.
Janet has opened up for the first time since the death of brother Michael to Harper’s Bazaar.
In the interview, which is accompanied by new photos, Janet speaks of her decision not to watch television or read a newspaper since her brother’s death.
In the article, she also confirms she has split from long-term boyfriend Jermaine Dupri as well as the title of her new book True You.
Several reports are circulating that Janet will perform a tribute to brother Michael at this weekend’s Video Music Awards.
Choreographer Wade Robson posted a bulletin to his MySpace page which said:
“WADE ROBSON, MIA MICHAELS, BRIAN FRIEDMAN, CRIS JUDD, TRAVIS PAYNE, TINA LANDON, DAVE SCOTT, TYCE DIORIO, JERRY SLAUGHTER, LAURIE ANN GIBSON & GIL DULDULAO ARE PERFORMING WITH JANET JACKSON ON THE MTV VMA AWARDS ON SEPTEMBER 13TH IN TRIBUTE TO MICHAEL JACKSON.”
TMZ is also reporting the story, saying:
Janet Jackson has been busting her butt rehearsing for a Michael Jackson tribute at the MTV Video Awards this weekend — and it promises to be a nipple-free affair. We think.
Ms. Jackson is set to put on a huge MJ-honoring performance featuring 20 backup dancers — which is being put together by some of the best choreographers in the world, including Frank Gatson and Travis Payne.
According to Kryiss Grant, one of the dancers involved (who was also an usher at MJ’s burial), some rehearsals have lasted 15 hours a day.
Once Janet is finished honoring her brother, Grant tells us “there won’t be a dry eye in the house.”
The VMAs air on MTV in the US at 9PM ET this Sunday, September 13th.
Janet sat in the front row at last night’s farewell to brother Michael Jackson. The King of Pop was buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park & Mortuary in Glendale, California.
Following the ceremony, the Jackson family released a statement with their thanks to the pop star’s fans.
After the ceremony the family released a statement: “The Jackson Family wishes to once again thank all of Michael’s fans around the world for their generous outpouring of support during this terribly difficult time. Their expressions of love for Michael and his music have sustained the Jackson Family.”
Janet also recently tweeted on her Twitter page: “I love you, Mike, and I miss you. Dunk.”
