Janet’s New Interview

Janet Jackson conducted her first interview after Michael’s death with Harper’s Bazaar, featuring her brother. She is set to go on stage on Sunday, September 13, at the MTV Awards ceremony in tribute to her brother. The 43-year-old artist—whose photo will appear on the cover of Harper’s Bazaar’s October issue—described herself as doing okay, but said:

"It’s really hard to believe he’s gone." In her interview, Janet said that the last time she saw Michael was on May 14 at a family gathering, during which they laughed a lot over Thai food. "We had a great time. He laughed so hard that tears were running down his face." Janet was working in Atlanta when she heard the news of her brother’s death and flew to Los Angeles. After Paris’s 11-year-old speech, she helped calm her brother’s daughter, “Sweetheart.” "I was really proud of him (Paris)." She says that Paris and her brothers—Prince (Michael) and Blanket (Prince)—are all very smart and sharp. When asked how Michael’s children have been coping with this, Janet says: "They spend time with the kids in the family and stay busy. And their love of family keeps them strong." But Janet says that her strength to face this huge grief was inherited from her mother, Catherine. "I always wanted to be strong like my mom, but I didn’t know if I was. At least now I know I’m strong enough that when I’m needed in a situation that’s this sensitive, this painful, and this shocking, I don’t collapse. I can handle it."

Janet, who received the nickname “Dank” from Michael, talks about her brother’s sense of humor: "Sometimes his jokes weren’t funny, sometimes they were clever and sharp." And about their special relationship: "He always took very good care of me." And Janet, in return, took care of him: "When I was 14 (and Michael was a 21-year-old superstar), I would shop for him, wash his clothes, and tidy his room. When Mom went out of town, she would tell me, ‘I’m putting responsibility on you—take care of Mike.’ I would come home from school to see what he needed. Then I’d go straight to the store." Janet also revealed a secret about Michael’s symbolic black coat, which he wore during the historic performance of Billie Jean at the 25th anniversary celebration of Motown. "That coat belonged to our mother. He took it out of her wardrobe." Source: eMJey / People / Harper's Bazaar