Janet Jackson Postpones World Tour To Plan Family: Read Her Announcement
Janet Jackson announced Wednesday that she is postponing her Unbreakable World Tour on account of her plans to start a family with her husband. In her announcement, Janet said that she was ordered by her doctor to rest as she is planning to have a baby, ABC News reports.
The 49-year-old pop star took to Twitter to announce that she is postponing the second leg of her Unbreakable tour, which started in August. While Jackson didn’t exactly say that she’s pregnant with her first child, her doctor advising her to rest up suggests that it is indeed the case.
A message from Janet…https://t.co/KrzYZ4eyvD
— Janet Jackson (@JanetJackson) April 6, 2016
“We’re in the second leg of the tour, and there actually has been a sudden change,” Jackson said. “I thought it was important that you be the first to know.”
“My husband and I are planning our family, so I’m going to have to delay the tour. Please, if you can, try to understand that it’s important that I do this now. I have to rest up; doctor’s orders. But I have not forgotten about you.”
In her two-minute video clip, Janet thanked her fans for their undying love and loyalty and then she proceeded to thank her dancers, band, and tour crew as well.
“Once again, thank you to all the fans for your love, your undying love; your loyalty that means so much to me,” a smiling Jackson said. “You’re truly appreciated. It’s been a long journey and you guys have been there each and every step of the way and I really do appreciate that. Thank you so much… I will see you soon.”
Janet Jackson’s Unbreakable tour has been beset by health issues. In December of last year, the “Rhythm Nation” singer announced that she’ll be postponing the tour until the spring, as she’ll be undergoing an unspecified surgical procedure. Janet confirmed that her next show will be in early January in Denver.
“I need you to know, I learned today, from my doctors that I must have surgery soon….Please pray for me, my family and our entire company during this difficult time,” Janet said in her statement.
At the time, Janet asked her fans for prayers of support, although she again didn’t mention what’s ailing her. After two weeks, Janet announced the rescheduled tour dates following her recovery from the procedure.
With Janet Jackson not offering details of her medical condition, rumors suggesting that she had cancer started spreading on the internet. In early January, Jackson denied the cancer rumors via a clip she shared on Twitter.
“Remember…believe it when you hear it from my lips. The rumors are untrue. I do not have cancer. I’m recovering. My doctors have approved my concerts as scheduled in Europe, and as I promised, the postponed shows will be rescheduled. Thank you for your prayers and love,” Janet explained.
From my lips…https://t.co/0fQjkej5lY
— Janet Jackson (@JanetJackson) January 7, 2016
Before her shows were postponed, Janet’s concerts have been receiving a lot of praise and rave reviews. In a review published by the New York Times, Janet’s performance was described as “virtuous.” The Los Angeles Times described Janet Jackson’s tour as “having exuded more sex appeal than any of today’s pop stars who opt to bare skin in a bid to envelope push — but again, she’s already been there and done that.”
Janet Jackson steps out for first time since surgery as she preps for tour return. https://t.co/REm5At03Yg pic.twitter.com/vrQkQG5Qnq
— Entertainment Tonight (@etnow) February 11, 2016
Hey you guys, we've taken #Unbreakable to North America & Japan. Next stop #DubaiWorldCup16! https://t.co/gsklLtE67Phttps://t.co/dM7v9qqAEd
— Janet Jackson (@JanetJackson) March 19, 2016
Janet, whose 11th studio album Unbreakable went to the top of the Billboard charts last year, is married to business magnate and fashion tycoon Wissam Al Mana. Janet had been married twice in the past, first with James Debarge in 1984 and then with Rene Elizondo in 1991. Her marriage to Rene Elizondo lasted nine years.
Janet Jackson is a cultural pop icon whose hits dates back from the 1980s, which include “That’s the Way Love Goes,” “Rhythm Nation,” and “What Have You Done for Me Lately.”
[Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images]