Janet Jackson made a surprise onstage appearance while supporting elder brothers Jackie and Marlon as they performed as The Jacksons at Heritage Live Festivals in Reading on Saturday.
The songstress, 59, and rarely seen son Eissa, seven, watched from the wings as the family band, which also once featured late brother Michael, sung the group’s biggest hits for the crowd.
Jackie, 74, and Marlon, 68, then introduced their sister who made her way on stage looking effortlessly stylish in an oversized plaid jacket and flared jeans.
Later taking to her Instagram Stories Janet posted clips of the show as she gushed over her sibling’s performance.
She said: ‘Words can’t express how much your nephew and I enjoyed tonight. It was good seeing both of you as usual’.
Before adding: ‘God bless you on your journey. We love you so much’.
Janet Jackson made a surprise appearance as she supported brothers Jackie (R) and Marlon (L) as they performed as The Jacksons at Heritage Live Festivals in Reading on Saturday
The songstress and rarely seen son Eissa, seven, watched from the wings as the family band, which also once featured late brother Michael, sung the group’s biggest hits for the crowd.
Formed in 1964, the founding members of the band were elder brothers Jackie, Tito and Jermaine; younger brothers Marlon and Michael joined soon after.
Janet became a mother at age 51 with her ex-husband Wissam Al Mana. The couple separated soon after the birth of her son.
Speaking about Eissa last year she told The Guardian: ‘The most important thing I’ve done, the biggest thing I’ve done, is become a mother, and it’s had a beautiful impact on my life,’
She continued: ‘I wanted to have three children, but thought, “I should stop there, that’s probably all I can handle.” Because you have to give all of yourself,’ she explained.
‘Obviously, you have to work, but you don’t come first anymore. Your life completely changes. And I wouldn’t trade it for anything,’ she said.
In another interview, the Rhythm Nation hitmaker echoed the same statement, calling motherhood ‘the most amazing thing she’s ever done.’
She also revealed the strict rules she has given her son, saying she is determined to make sure he has a normal childhood after she and her famous brothers were thrust into the spotlight at a young age.
Janet amassed huge success since starting out as a child star in the 1970s and while she is ‘so thankful,’ she has insisted she will not be putting Eissa on the same path.
Jackie, 74, and Marlon, 68, then introduced their sister who made her way on stage looking effortlessly stylish in an oversized plaid jacket and flared jeans
Later taking to her Instagram Stories Janet posted clips of the show as she gushed over her sibling’s performance
Janet shared a slew of clips as her brother’s entertained the festival crowd
Janet became a mother at age 51 with her ex-husband Wissam Al Mana. The couple separated soon after the birth of her son (Eissa pictured as a baby)
‘I’m so thankful that God allowed me to experience motherhood, because it didn’t have to be, she told host Judi Love on a recent episode of Loose Women.
‘I do a lot of reflection, it’s amazing because kids don’t realize what you go through as a parent or what you have going on the back burner,’ she said.
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‘It’s about him. If that’s what he wants, but I would say that he has to wait until he’s of age and still make sure that’s what he wants to do.
‘Whatever you do is very difficult. The industry is very tough, but he would have to wait until he is 18,’ she explained.
The candid confessions about motherhood and her son in The Guardian come from the same interview in which the Good Times star revealed she believed Kamala Harris has a white father, which is the type of disinformation parroted on far right wing news channels like NewsMax.
‘Well, you know what they supposedly said? She’s not black. That’s what I heard. That she’s Indian,’ Janet said.
‘Her father’s white. That’s what I was told. I mean, I haven’t watched the news in a few days. I was told that they discovered her father was white.’
This is a talking point frequently referenced by now president Donald Trump ahead of the 2024 election.
Former VP Harris was born in 1964 to Dr Shyamala Gopalan, an Indian-born cancer researcher, and Donald J. Harris, a black Jamaican economics professor.
The Jacksons next perform at Audley End, Essex on 31 July.
Formed in 1964, the founding members of the band were elder brothers Jackie, Tito and Jermaine; younger brothers Marlon and Michael joined soon after. Pictured in the 1970s