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Janet appears at BET Awards; stars pay tribute

Janet Jackson has picked up the Ultimate Icon award at last night’s BET Awards in Los Angeles.

Fledgling music stars Jason Derulo, Ciara and Tinashe paid tribute to Janet in a medley of dance routines. The show was completed with a short excerpt from No Sleep as her new backing dancers performed a routine.

Janet emerged from stage to then give a short speech as she was presented with her award by long time producers and friends Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis.

Janet’s parents, Katherine and Joe Jackson, were also in the audience and she thanked them.

It’s been a long journey to this moment. My heart is full. I’m so grateful for the support you’ve always given me… my beautiful mother and father… and my entire family… Your love is unbreakable…

My thanks to Jimmy and Terry for our incredible history… to BET… as well as everyone who performed in this tribute.

Twenty-five years ago, we created Rhythm Nation hoping the world could be a better place. But today there is even more to be done. Let’s keep the conversation going.

And finally, thank you to my loving husband, and to my fans, I love you.

Earlier, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis introduced the tribute and the award.

“We began a fantastic journey with a friend we celebrate tonight. She came to us a young woman with a lot to say and boy did she say it. She is Ms. Janet Jackson,” Terry Lewis said. Jimmy continued: “At the time there were few women demanding respect and sounding so funky doing it. Janet’s music and her vocal expressions were empowering innovative and provocative.”

Watch the performance and acceptance speech below as well as a backstage video.

Janet. Nuff said

A video posted by |S M I T H| (@smithworldwide) on

Janet Jackson at BET Awards 2015
Janet Jackson at BET Awards 2015
Janet Jackson at BET Awards 2015
Janet Jackson at BET Awards 2015
Janet Jackson at BET Awards 2015
Janet Jackson at BET Awards 2015
Janet Jackson at the BET Awards 2015
Janet Jackson at the BET Awards 2015
Janet Jackson at the BET Awards 2015
Janet Jackson at the BET Awards 2015
Ciara performs in Janet Jackson tribute at BET Awards
Ciara performs in Janet Jackson tribute at BET Awards
Ciara performs in Janet Jackson tribute at BET Awards
Ciara performs in Janet Jackson tribute at BET Awards
Ciara, Jason Derulo and Tinashe performs in Janet Jackson tribute at BET Awards
Ciara, Jason Derulo and Tinashe performs in Janet Jackson tribute at BET Awards
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Janet to receive “Ultimate Icon” at BET Awards

Janet will receive the first ever Ultimate Icon: Music Dance Visual award at this weekend’s BET Awards, according to a tweet put out by the network.

She will also be honoured in a tribute by Jason Derulo, Tinashe and Ciara according to the network.

Stephen G. Hill, BET’s President of Programming, said:

“This is Janet Jackson, people! We are excited beyond belief to present her with our inaugural ULTIMATE ICON: Music Dance Visual award and we are thrilled that she chose the BET Awards as the first step on her new road. An inspiration to many other artists, ‘Ms. Jackson’ (’cause I’m nasty) blends music, dance and visuals in unique and groundbreaking ways and we look forward to celebrating her storied history… as well as giving the BET Awards audience a peek into her Unbreakable future.”

The awards ceremony will air on BET in the US on Sunday June 28th at 8pm. BET in the UK has not yet confirmed a date it will screen the ceremony.

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Janet receives GLAAD Vanguard Award

Janet received the Vanguard Award at last night’s 19th Annual Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) Media Awards in Hollywood. Janet was presented with the award by talk show host Ellen DeGeneres. In her acceptance speech, Janet said: “To everyone at GLAAD and everyone in this room, I would just to say that I hope I can always walk worthy of this award that I have both in my hand and my heart.”

She added: “Even when I was younger, when I was growing up, my mother was very religious but there were a lot of kids who were dancers that she brought into the home and now that I think about it, they were gay.

“They all called her ‘Mother’ and she treated every one of them like they were her children. And that’s where it kind of started, I suppose. I’ve been around the community all my life.”

Check out over 50 photos from the event below.