Golden comeback as new mother Janet, 52, is honoured as an icon
JANET Jackson staged a sexy comeback at the Billboard Music Awards – to receive the prestigious Icon award.
In a gold oversized sweatshirt and thigh-high boots, the 52-yearold was performing on television for the first time in nine years.
It was also her first time performing as a mum, having given birth to son Eissa in January last year.
She split from her husband, Qatari billionaire Wissam Al Mana, 43, two months later.
Presenting her prize, singer Bruno Mars said she was the seventh recipient – and the first black woman to receive it.
She follows in the footsteps of Prince, Stevie Wonder, Celine Dion, Cher, Neil Diamond and Jennifer Lopez, who also performed.
Janet, the sister of Michael and one of the most successful artists of all time in the US, backed the #MeToo movement, saying from the stage in Las Vegas on Sunday: “For all of our challenges, we live at a glorious moment in history. “At long last, women have made it clear that we will no longer be controlled, manipulated or abused.” The singer has previously sung about domestic abuse. The Billboard awards is an annual show which celebrates artists’ performances on the Billboard charts. British star Ed Sheeran, 27, was the big winner on the night, taking home four awards: top artist, top radio songs artist, top song sales artist and top hot 100.
Other prizes on the night went to Taylor Swift and Kendrick Lamar, while there were tributes to the victims of the Santa Fe High School shooting in the US.
Host Kelly Clarkson opened the ceremony with a tearful plea for a “moment of action” in the wake of the massacre, which saw 10 die.
She told guests: “I’m so sick of moments of silence… Why don’t we do a moment of action? A moment of change?”