Janet Jackson Celebrates 50 Years in Music with Icon Award

Los Angeles, CA – Janet Jackson is set to celebrate half a century in the music industry with a series of concerts in Las Vegas, where she will also receive the honorary Icon Award at the American Music Awards (AMAs) on Monday. The event will be hosted by Jennifer Lopez at the Fontainebleau Hotel.

Jackson, who turned 57 this year and will reach 60 in May 2026, first stepped onto a stage at the age of seven. This upcoming residency marks her return to Las Vegas, and she is expected to perform live for an audience of both theatergoers and millions more watching at home on CBS, making it her first televised performance since 2018.

Over the years, Jackson has accumulated an impressive array of accolades, including receiving 11 AMAs, winning five Grammy Awards, and being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Her albums have sold more than 180 million copies, and she continues to influence the music scene, underscored by her recent viral success on TikTok.

Despite facing challenges in her personal life and industry, Jackson has worked hard to create her own identity separate from her famous family that includes Michael Jackson and the Jackson Five. She opened up about her complex relationship with her late brother, sharing how they had moments of teasing that hurt her deeply.

Jackson has also battled body image issues and depression, yet she has forged ahead and remained a relevant figure in the music industry. Billboard notes that she is one of only four artists to have a No. 1 album on the charts across four decades. Her dedication and work ethic have made her a beloved performer, as her shows routinely sell out in Las Vegas.

Although she has kept a low profile in her personal life after a series of high-profile relationships, Jackson remains focused on her career and raising her son, Eissa. As she prepares to receive the Icon Award, her legacy continues to be celebrated both by fans and the music community.

“I wanted to make it on my own. I wanted people to love my music for me,” she has stated in the past, a sentiment that speaks to her ongoing journey as an artist.