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 event
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 both 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 makeup
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 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 51-year-old 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 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 City on November 9, 2017 (Credit: WENN / Dennis Van Tine / Future Image / Jason Mendez)