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.

🎶 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 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.

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 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.

👠 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.

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.

👠 Petite Celebrities Who Elevate Their Height with Heels:
- 🌟 Amy Adams – 5′ 3½″ (161.3 cm): She frequently wears elegant heels from designers like Christian Louboutin and Jimmy Choo to boost her stature on the red carpet.
- 📏 Rooney Mara – 5′ 3″ (160 cm): Known for strappy heels and wedges from brands like Nicholas Kirkwood, Givenchy, and Stuart Weitzman to visually elongate her silhouette.
- 💃 Carrie Underwood – 5′ 3″ (160 cm): Regularly steps out in towering heels to complement her country-glam outfits and match taller co-stars.
- 👠 Julianne Hough – 5′ 3″ (160 cm): Boosts her frame with classic pumps and strappy stilettos, making her petite presence bold and stylish.
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.
