Janet Jackson Turns Heads in Sky-High Heels and David Ferreira at Out100 Icon Award

Please subscribe to our newsletter to receive updates from Your Next Shoes. This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure for more details.

In November 2017, Janet Jackson received the Icon Award on stage at the Out100 event at the Altman Building in New York City.

The magazine, which caters to the LGBT community, recognized the That’s The Way Love Goes singer for her influential and celebrated five-decade pop career.

Janet Jackson rocked a bold braided ponytail with sleek, angular brows and dramatic winged eyeliner, enhancing her captivating gaze at the Out100 eventJanet Jackson rocked a bold braided ponytail with sleek, angular brows and dramatic winged eyeliner, enhancing her captivating gaze at the Out100 event

🎶 The Velvet Rope: How Janet Jackson Became an LGBTQ+ Icon Through Music and Fashion

In Reid Sperisen’s 2022 article for OutWrite News Magazine, he explains why Janet Jackson is regarded as an icon, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community, through her 1997 album The Velvet Rope. Described as “the most ambitious and beautiful LP of Jackson’s career,” the album marks a pivotal moment where Jackson fully embraced her status as a gay icon and ally.

With tracks like “Free Xone,” celebrating queer love, and “Together Again,” a tribute to friends lost to the AIDS epidemic, Jackson’s introspective and raw approach resonates deeply with LGBTQ+ experiences of isolation and self-acceptance. The album’s enduring legacy continues, receiving critical acclaim years after its release for its profound connection to Jackson’s personal journey and the community.

Janet Jackson stunned with a voluminous fishtail braid and statement paddle hair accessory, complemented by bold winged eyeliner and soft, nude-toned makeupJanet Jackson stunned with a voluminous fishtail braid and statement paddle hair accessory, complemented by bold winged eyeliner and soft, nude-toned makeup

🔥 Janet Jackson Turns Heads in Bold David Ferreira Ensemble and Sky-High Boots

Never afraid to take a fashion risk, Janet dressed in a head-turning ensemble consisting of a fur-accented vest, leather-look pants, and a train accented with lace by the Lisbon-based brand David Ferreira.

Raised as a Jehovah’s Witness, Janet accessorized with a bizarre paddle hair accessory, fingerless gloves, a long rectangular clutch, and a pair of towering boots.

Janet Jackson accessorized her edgy ensemble with bold silver cuff bracelets, fingerless gloves, a sleek rectangular clutch, and a unique paddle-shaped hair accessoryJanet Jackson accessorized her edgy ensemble with bold silver cuff bracelets, fingerless gloves, a sleek rectangular clutch, and a unique paddle-shaped hair accessory

She gave a soft-spoken speech ending with reciting the lyrics to her 1997 hit ‘Together Again.’

“Differences are beautiful, diversity is a gift,” the entertainer told the crowd. “We’re all different, we’re all the same, we’re all vulnerable. We’re all in need of acceptance and encouragement. All love spreads from the same source: gentleness, kindness, grace, and God.”

The sister of Michael Jackson added, “You are the people, the brave people, who are unafraid to let the world know that we will reject any narrow definition of love. We will reject any form of hate, rooted fear, rooted intolerance. We will reject any and all negativity. We insist that love is for everyone and that we will love according to the demands of our hearts.”

Janet Jackson made a bold statement in a dramatic David Ferreira outfit featuring leather-look pants, a lace-accented train, fur vest, and towering bootsJanet Jackson made a bold statement in a dramatic David Ferreira outfit featuring leather-look pants, a lace-accented train, a fur vest, and towering boots

Janet Jackson has undergone significant weight fluctuations over the years, often making headlines for her transformations. After the birth of her son in 2017, she notably lost a large amount of weight—reportedly around 70 pounds—through a combination of healthy eating and rigorous exercise.

Janet Jackson in a David Ferreira dress at the Out100 event at the Altman Building in New York CityJanet Jackson in a David Ferreira dress at the Out100 event at the Altman Building in New York City on November 9, 2017 (Credit: WENN / Dennis Van Tine / Future Image / Jason Mendez)

👠 How Janet Jackson Uses Sky-High Heels to Elevate Her Petite Frame

Standing 5 feet 3 ½ inches (161.3 cm), Janet Jackson often turns to sky-high heels to elongate her frame and command attention on the red carpet.

Janet Jackson dazzles in a futuristic metallic puffer jacket, bold spiral rings, and sleek braided ponytail while attending the fashion showJanet Jackson dazzles in a futuristic metallic puffer jacket, bold spiral rings, and sleek braided ponytail while attending the fashion show (Credit: Laurent Zabulon / ABACA / INSTARimages / Cover Images)

Wearing a US shoe size 8, the music and style icon frequently pairs her bold fashion statements with towering platforms or sleek stilettos that enhance her petite stature while adding a powerful edge to her overall look.

Pop icon Janet Jackson turned heads in towering platform lace-up heels and a sharply tailored layered grey suit while attending the Thom Browne Womenswear Spring/Summer 2023 showPop icon Janet Jackson turned heads in towering platform lace-up heels and a sharply tailored layered grey suit while attending the Thom Browne Womenswear Spring/Summer 2023 show during Paris Fashion Week on October 3, 2022, in Paris, France  (Credit: Julien Reynaud / ABACA / INSTARimage / Cover Images)

👠 Petite Celebrities Who Elevate Their Height with Heels:

Paris Jackson, the daughter of the late pop icon Michael Jackson, is the niece of Janet Jackson, Michael’s younger sister. Although they tend to keep their family relationship private, Paris and Janet have made a few public appearances together, including a rare reunion at Paris Fashion Week in 2022.

Paris Jackson attends the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project 2023 Block Party at Universal Studios Backlot on May 20, 2023, in Universal City, California, wearing a blush pink satin gown and strappy heels, accompanied by her DobermanParis Jackson attends the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project 2023 Block Party at Universal Studios Backlot on May 20, 2023, in Universal City, California, wearing a blush pink satin gown and strappy heels, accompanied by her Doberman (Credit: Faye’s Vision / Cover Images)