janet. interview

This interview was in the Swedish teenmagazine OKEJ (it originally appeared in Famous magazine). The interview was printed in Swedish so this is only a translation. Enjoy!

Michael's skin is getting brighter and brighter. Is it true that he has a skin disorder?
- Yes, Mike is telling the truth! Both my parents and I know about his disease. I don't know if he told anybody else. He asked us to not tell anybody and keep the press out of it, but it was hard. His skin has blotches - he is more white than black. That's why he is using light make-up creams that hides the unevennesses. The disease is on my father's side and it can to some point affect me too. Journalists have complained about Michael trying to make his skin lighter, then they ask me when I started color my skin. Oh, those times you just wanna hit them! All I say then is "You don't understand!" It's so hard to go through such a thing.

Do you ever think of doing a duet with Michael?
- I understand a lot of people wonder about that. We have both done duets with others. My brother Jermaine is also trying to gather the family for a concert at the end of the year. We're always exchanging ideas, Jermaine and I, and he lets me know when he likes something I've done. He's so thoughtful! When he heard how good my lates album is going he sent me a beautiful basket of flowers.

Is there a lot of competition in the family?
- That's what the Jackson family is about! We are a very competition oriented family. Mike and I are probably the closest, because of our careers. He's so talented! He has the most No 1's of us all - if it's the last thing I ever do it is to beat that! Though every time I get close he's there and he's even bigger. But of course I'm happy he's doing so good.

What do you think about your sister LaToya?
- I love her with all my heart but I wish she could get her sense back. I'm sure someone is telling her to do all these things to our family, she can't help it. It could be because she wants attention because she's never had the career she dreamed of, that's why she's making herself famous this way. She's not the same person I grew up with anymore. It would be nice if her old self came back.

Now there aren't many female stars except Whitney Houston, Madonna and you. How do you deal with such rivality?
- I don't have the time to worry about Madonna. I'm not even interested of what she's doing. Shocking is all she can do. But soon there's not much more she can do to shock others - unless she becomes a nun! I'm not so concerned about my image as she is about hers. I'm a singer. I can admit I think I dance good and so, but I'm not sexy. I'm more of a lady out in my fingertips.

Was it easy for you to get boyfriends when you were younger?
- When I was a teenager all the guys were afraid of me. I don't know why. I fell in love with a few, but I was to shy to say anything. It usually ended with me going going home from school, rushing up to my room, listening to jazz and pretending I was kissing someone. I really did practise kissing on my hand!

What was it like being famous and going to school?
- It could have been okay, but reality was a nightmare. I remember when I was twelve years old and was going to a new school. I was terrified and as soon as I got there I was surrounded by girls and boys who pushed me and said mean words. The principal saved me. He locked me in his office of security reasons. Eventually I befrended a few but it was pretty lonely for me in school anyway. I was so different.

More Q's and As to come. Keep checking in!