A high quality video of Janet performing Nasty at the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans from last summer has been posted on YouTube. Watch it below:

Janet’s choreographer and friend Gil Duldulao has posted a photo on his Twitter account of Janet at rehearsals for her upcoming Number  Ones Tour.

The first show will be in Manila in the Philippines on February 4th.

Janet has done a new interview with The Star newspaper ahead of her opening night in Manila on February 4th.

The interview was conducted by e-mail.

What’s your Top 3 favorites among your 35 No.1 hits?

“Right now, I’m really enjoying Together Again, Discipline and Control.”

Why did you choose Manila to be the kick-off point of your largest-ever world tour?

“That is funny. Originally, I was going to start my tour in Singapore. I asked the fans to help me pick the cities that I should consider performing in and everything seemed like it was all set. Then we added Manila. I thank everyone who voted and helped me choose. Each of you is so important to me and I am looking forward to performing for you.”

You look forever concert-fit. How do you maintain that kind of body?

“Well, I don’t. LOL. I wrote a book, True You, that will come out on Feb.15th but the fans that go to the concert will be able to pick up a copy. I wrote the book because I have struggled with weight and self esteem. I want kids to have something to read and know that they are beautiful as they are. I write about these issues and how I have dealt with them over the years. It’s not an autobiography, but I talk about points in my life that have played a part in where I am today.

“We have been working for a while now on the choreography of the show. We rehearse all day to make sure that we are creating an exciting experience for all of you. It’s a lot of fun to work with my choreographer and all the dancers. It’s a lot of work and that with a strict meal plan keeps me in shape.”

With your energetic performance on-stage, how do you prevent another wardrobe malfunction during a concert (like what happened during her New York concert)?

“They happen — for me only once — but it does. I create the best show I can. I work with amazing people such as my stylist, Robert Behar, and then we go out and have a good time performing for my fans. If I see something that needs to be altered, we do it.”

Have you worked with Filipino artists? If so, what can you say about them?

“I don’t think of things like race or nationality. My team is very diverse and they are all amazing to work with. We are very much like a family.”

As an artist, how do you keep up with the trends in music?

“I stay in touch with the kids. I love social messaging. I am on Twitter, Facebook, MySpace and Friendster.

“When writing my book True You, I was reminded of all the negative things we are exposed to. The news is full of images that are troubling and all you seem to hear about these days are people doing bad deeds. It keeps me up at night. I also get to hear about people who are making a difference. I thought it would be fun to show kids who are changing their communities for the better, that they are appreciated. Hopefully, people will be inspired by these kids and decide to do something for others. I know I am always inspired by them. They rock!

“I hope that everyone in Manila will go to my website, janetjackson.com http://janetjackson.com/, and nominate five kids that I should consider. The 20 people chosen and the people who nominated them will be my VIP guests at the show. I am looking forward to seeing these kids at the concert and backstage. Meeting these kids is going to be amazing!”

You are an icon and have been successful as a recording artist and movie actress. Now, you have your own book. What else do you want to do or have not achieved in life?

“There is so much that I still want to do. It would be fun to be on Broadway. There is a whole different discipline to that schedule and I would like to experience it.”

You have been to the Philippines before, what do you remember or what do you like about our country?

“I love all of Asia. The last time I was in the Philippines was for the JANET Tour and I felt a true connection to the people of your magnificent country. I am looking forward to signing from my heart and showing love to my fans in Manila on Feb 4. Can’t wait to see all of you!”

What “surprise” are you going to spring on your Filipino fans during your concert in Manila?

“I am really looking forward to this tour. The last time I was in Manila, I played the Folk Arts Theater. This time we will be at the Philippine International Convention Center. It’s going to be fun because I will be up close with the fans. This is about my fans that have supported me and my work for all these years.”

Any message to your Filipino fans.

“I can’t wait to see all of you. Thank you for helping me pick Manila for my tour. It has been a long time since I was with you. We are going to have a good time. The song I am dedicating to you is Go Deep. I am looking forward to singing for you.”

It’s been announced that Janet will tour further cities as part of her Number Ones tour. The dates, confirmed this morning in a press release, include:

Hidalgo, TX March 3rd
State Farm Arena

Austin, TX April 4th
Austin City Limits
Live at Moody Theater

Omaha, NE April 5th
Qwest Theater

Additional performances have been added to the following cities:

Chicago, IL March 9th
The Chicago Theatre

Toronto, ON, Canada March 13th
Sony Centre for the Performing Arts

New York, NY March 21st
Radio City Music Hall

Washington, DC March 24th
DAR Constitution Hall

Los Angeles, CA April 16th
Gibson Amphitheatre

San Francisco, CA April 20th
Bill Graham Civic Auditorium

If you plan to attend these dates, or any of the other shows then confirm your attendance now on Janet Fans.

A new high quality video of Janet performing What Have You Done For Me Lately? at the Essence Music Festival has been posted on YouTube.

View the clip below, or double click it to see in HD.

VIP packages have been put on sale on Janet’s official website for her upcoming tour.

There are two packages available to fans – the Diamond package which includes a ticket in the front row and the Gold package which includes a ticket in rows 2-4. Prices are around the $1000 mark.

VIP packages also include: a limited edition autographed set of Janet World Tour 2011 litographs, an official souvenir tour program, $125 gift certificate for Janet’s online store, a VIP commemorative ticket, a World Tour 2011 leather travel wallet, a personalised welcome letter signed by Janet and an exclusive thank you gift from Janet.

The packages can be purchased by registered users at JanetJackson.com.

Janet’s upcoming show at the Gibson Amphitheatre in Los Angeles has sold out in just 10 minutes prompting organisers to add another date.

A second show has been added on April 15th due to the phenomenal demand for the concert.

Further shows have also been added in New York, Washington and Toronto.

Janet has been nominated for Best Actress at the NAACP Image Awards which are due to be held in March for her role in “Why Did I Get Married Too?”.

Joining Janet in the best actress category are Halle Berry for “Frankie & Alice,” Kerry Washington for “Night Catches Us,” Queen Latifah for “Just Wright” and Zoe Saldana for “The Losers.”

Both of Janet’s movies -”Why Did I Get Married Too?” and “For Colored Girls” have also been nominated for Best Movie.

At the 42nd annual awards, other stars from Tyler Perry’s movies last year are also nominated. Jill Scott for supporting actress for “Why Did I Get Married Too?” and Michael Ealy for supporting actor and Anika Noni Rose, Kimberly Elise, Phylicia Rashad and Whoopi Goldberg for supporting actress in “For Colored Girls.”

The awards will be handed out March 4 and telecast on Fox.

Janet will perform in Jakarta on February 9th, according to Janet’s official website.

She will appear at the Plenary Hall Jakarta Convention Center.

Janet said about her upcoming date:

“Jakarta is one of the most intriguing places on earth. I am so ready to get there and share the love… The people, the culture, the uniqueness of this magical place excites me and everyone on our tour. Lets Go!”

If you plan to attend, show your attendance on Janet Fans now.

Ticketmaster has listed several on sale dates for Janet’s upcoming North American tour.

In the meantime, don’t forget to show your attendance and see what other fans are attending the event over at Janet Fans.

The on sale dates are as follows:

Wednesday 16th March 2011 – Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, CT – on sale Friday 14th January 2011 10:00AM

Tuesday 22nd March 2011 - Dar Constitution Hall, Washington, DC – on sale Thursday 13th January 2011 10:00AM

Saturday 2nd April 2011 – Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie, Grand Prairie, TX – on sale Saturday 15th January 2011 10:00AM

Wednesday 6th April 2011 – Wells Fargo Theatre, Denver, CO – on sale Saturday 15th January 2011 10:00AM

Saturday 9th April 2011 – Santa Barbara Bowl, Santa Barbara, CA – on sale Saturday 15th January 2011 11:00AM

Friday 22nd April 2011 – The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, NV – on sale Wednesday 12th January 2011 10:00AM

Saturday 23rd April 2011 – The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, NV – on sale Wednesday 12th January 2011 10:00AM

Janet has appeared in court again in Los Angeles at Conrad Murray‘s preliminary hearing.

The hearing will determine whether the doctor stands trial for the involuntary manslaughter of her brother Michael Jackson.

See photos below.

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Janet is to perform at the 2011 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo – a charitable event, committed to benefiting youth, supporting education, and facilitating better agricultural practices through exhibitions and presentation.

The show, on Friday March 4th, will be just three days before the start of the North America leg of her Number Ones: Up Close and Personal Tour.

It’s expected that the show will act as a pre-cursor to the official start of the tour.

The capacity of such performances are typically 70,000 people.

Tickets go on sale this Saturday January 15th at 10am at www.rodeohouston.com, from Ticketmaster outlets and by phone on 1-800-726-1313.

Janet has announced that she will be bringing her upcoming tour to North America for 18 performances during March and April.

Janet has expressed her gratitude and excitement for the upcoming shows in North America with the following statement:

“I thank my fans who have voted and helped me choose the cities we are announcing today. Each of you are so important to me. These concerts will be different from anything I have ever done. I will be as up close and personal as possible. These concerts are not about special effects. This is a love affair between me and those of you who have supported me and my work for all these years. I’ll be singing and dancing from my heart. The music will all be songs that you’ve made number ones for me. Let’s go!

In each city I want to meet 20 young leaders who are changing their communities for the better. Please contact janetjackson.com so that I will know who is making a major difference in your city. I’m asking my fans and their friends, Parents, relatives, neighbors and teachers to nominate five people to qualify as one of the 20 under 20 in each place I will perform. At each concert the 20 people chosen and the person who nominated them will be VIP guests at my show. I will invite the 20 sponsors and the 20 winners to the concert and backstage. There are many young people changing the world and I want them to be recognized during my tour. I want them to be my guest at my show and they will come backstage as I learn from them how young people are changing the world. You all know someone who is making a difference, so get in touch. I love you all and I can’t wait to be back on stage, I’ve missed you,” –Janet

Janet has chosen her song If as her song that she will dedicate to Hong Kong when she performs there on February 14th – Valentine’s Day.

In a message posted on her website, Janet said:

“I dedicate my number one ‘IF’ to my fans in Hong Kong. The beauty, mystery and love I find in Asia was all a part of ‘IF’, and now for Valentines Day, I’m bringing it all to you.”

The Number Ones tour will see a song dedicated to each of the 35 cities Janet performs in.

If you plan to attend the Hong Kong show, show your attendance at Janet Fans now.

Janet has joined family members at the second day of Conrad Murray‘s preliminary hearing in Los Angeles.

The hearing will determine whether the doctor stands trial for the involuntary manslaughter of her brother Michael Jackson.

Janet who was dressed in a suit and tie, was accompanied to the LA courthouse by her sister Rebbie along with their mother Katherine and father Joe.

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